Annual Pilgrimage brings faithful to Fort Ross

FORT ROSS, CA – The 101st annual pilgrimage to Fort Ross State Historic Park was celebrated on Friday, July 3. His Grace, Bishop Vasily of San Francisco led the celebration of the Divine Liturgy which brought dozens of clergy and faithful from the Pacific Central Deanery to the chapel and state park.

Concelebrating with Bishop Vasily were Archpriest Lawrence Margitich, dean of the Pacific Central Deanery, Mitred Archpriest Ian MacKinnon, and other priests and deacons from the area.

Following the hierarchical Liturgy, a cross procession led His Grace, and the clergy and faithful to the Fort Ross cemetery where the panikhida (memorial service) was sung for the nearly 150 departed lying at rest outside the Fort.

As has become part of the tradition of each year’s pilgrimage, a community picnic was enjoyed by all present, concluding this year’s event.

Fort Ross was established in 1812 and represents the southernmost settlement of Russian traders and explorers in North America. By 1841, the Fort was sold by the Russian-American Company. In 1903, the California Historical Landmarks Commission acquired the Fort leading to the preservation and restoration of the historic site. St. Tikhon of Moscow, and Apostle to America visited the Fort in 1905 during his time as archpastor for the North American Missionary Diocese.

The first Orthodox pilgrimage to Fort Ross was held on July 4, 1925 and led by the Archpriest Vladimir Sakovich of our diocesan Holy Trinity Cathedral in San Francisco.

Photos from this year’s pilgrimage can be viewed in two galleries:

Courtesy Matushka Sophia Sokolov:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ukijst7y47xqpiv2hxou8/AFhf0F_IJndZJA_rb8DWRjQ?rlkey=guh3b4cxej4rlb7w3mcl83dh3&dl=0

Courtesy Matushka Esther Car:
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOTn8UHjvz-fNG53swx-p2xe11HbPyRtcGQId5Tf4lxydv_ylq6aeE7jBca2Y03KA?pli=1&key=c2NTVjIteElBczViWlgzd1NOemNleHphRTY5aGV3