Having prayed at a moleben service in St Tikhon of Zadonsk Chapel on the first floor, and venerating St John’s relics in his old monastic cell, the archpastors gathered in the library of Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev, +2000), who ruled the diocese for 32 years. Vladyka Anthony left fond memories in the hearts of many clergymen and laypersons. Metropolitan Hilarion then opened the Council of Bishops meeting by welcoming the hierarchs, wishing them wisdom and heavenly aid in their work.
The sessions will have the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign” in attendance, brought from Munich to San Franciso by His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany.
Materials from the Council will be posted as they are released.