Beautiful church with beautiful music. I visited here with practices Russian Orthodox, and I felt welcomed at the church. The art is so beautiful - you can get lost looking over it. The church is clean and well-kept and very beautiful. I do not speak Russian, and I nonetheless found the service very enjoyable and pleasant. The singing on Friday evening was so pretty. I would return to this church. read more

On Saturday we stopped at Holy Virgin Cathedral and visited St John.. my wife put her head on him and was praying.. Today we got the news that she's finally considered to be cured of her cancer read more

this church stands out from far away for her beauty and inside is so beautiful and you can see the preserved body of the saint. read more

Holy Virgin Cathedral - Churches Near Me - San Francisco, California

I am a Russian orthodox. I have been visiting the cathedral for 8 years. This cathedral has a relic of Father John, its founder, a holy miracle maker. But what's happening in this church doesn't look like a temple of Christ. It's more a social club than a temple of prayers and worship. There are wonderful priests there: Father Serguey, Father Georgy the young and Father Georgy the old. But the perishers do not communicate with each other, the staff often is not helpful. Once I was refused a restroom for no reason. 'Go to the coffee shop across the street' I was told... seriously? And I live pretty far from the temple... Many times I couldn't get information from anyone. Today it was my last visit before moving out to another state and I hoped to have a really good praying session. But a woman in the candle store and some young man were laughing so loudly that no one could focus on their prayers. What obnoxious behavior! When I asked them to please stop being so noisy, the woman in the candle store said: 'no service'. I said: 'No common sense'. What's wrong with you, people? My general impression about the staff's attitude (the candle store inside the cathedral): give your money and get lost. Shame on you! You are in a holy place, house of Jesus and the place where the holy Father John is. If Jesus was there he would whip those laughing people out of the temple. I do not mind laughter but sooo loudly??? For 8 years we haven't made acquaintance with anyone. My feelings about the place: beautiful but cold. No love here, we are not welcome, just our dollars... we are more a bother than beloved children of God. There are nice people in the candle store, but a bad sheep spoils the whole flock. Honestly, this turns me away from this church. God bless! read more

Accessibility: I only saw stairs to enter the front, no ramp. Experience: Beautiful Russian cathedral located in the neighborhood of Little Russia, in San Francisco! Inside and out, this place is beautiful. Everything inside was written in Russian, and so many people in here spoke Russian. This gives a safe space for people to unite and feel at home. read more

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Beautiful church. The iconography is impressive. Great place to go to escape the crazy degeneracy in San Francisco. read more

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Beautiful place with exceptional service Convenience of work hours and parking lot Nice people read more

Gorgeous, simply breathtaking within the white walls. From outside, you would never know this jewel o Russia existed unless you've entered previously! I am not a religious type and only enter a church to photograph a wedding or to photograph the church. This church is almost like a grandeur scene in a classic movie or, from Russia. I've now been here twice and each time it transports me to Russia and though I've never been, I really want to go NoW!!! No parking - what a bummer - but still worth the effort to find the street parking to see this great place!!! They also have available a CD with chants of the Russian Emigres (already up to vol 7) and it's worth listening to!!! I recently attended the Sunday service and listened to the music and it was indeed heavenly! PHOTOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING: NO photography during public or private services. Though it's quite simple to work without a tripod, I strongly recommend you bring one. On my first visit, I snapped without a tripod and got great results but the splendor of the ornaments and design are not appreciated fully till you use a tripod. The front of the church faces south and being near the ocean, it's "easy" to compute when the sun is at the best angle (early afternoon depending on the season) so you don't get white overexposed spots due to the light coming in. There are a lot of details and am still hoping to return for a third visit to snap even more!! read more

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This was a wonderful detour in between post hike the The Land's End and briefly visiting a couple of friends I had not seen for a year. We were of course masked and separated in our walks but before that, i parked my car to check on the phone the address for the meeting point and saw this majestic cathedral. Then I realized that was open to the public and there were checking temperate and all very strict in terms of not letting someone with high temp get into (there was a couple in front of me, he was ok, she was too high and was rejected). Safety first. Well, what to say about this cathedral, absolutely amazing piece of art in itself and the pieces of art (I loved all the woodwork) everywhere, whenever you look at. I stayed for a while, more admiring than praying. When I left a colleague texted me to put some candles to Virgin Mary and St John. So I went back, got candles for her and for me, and then I spent some time for real. You feel very good in there, very soothing for the spirit. I am Roman Catholic and this is Russian Ortodox, but it does not matter, everyone is welcomed...as soon as they get their temperature checked! Worth a visit even if spirituality is not your call. read more

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The Holy Virgin Cathedral, also known as Joy of All Who Sorrow, is a Russian Orthodox cathedral in the Richmond District of San Francisco. It is the largest of the six cathedrals of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia. It is breath taking and amazing if you are so lucky to be invited in. That being said, it is not something you should flock as a tourist and need to be respectful to it's purpose as a church. read more

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We stopped by for a Palm Sunday service. The service was well done. Afterward there was a fundraiser event. We purchased some desserts and food, they were good price and so good! read more

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I am not Russian (no matter how my driver's license makes me appear). I am also not religious, unless you count my daily thanks to the goddess of chocolate for blessing this city with so many wonderful cocoa goodies. However, this church makes me wish I was Russian and almost makes me wish I was religious just so I could have reason to go inside this majestic building with greater regularity. I was able to do more than admire the exterior one day when the church's school was having a festival--they were offering free visits inside the church--but I haven't been back in since. It left a great impression on me, though, as it made me feel like I had left San Francisco behind and was, instead, in the Motherland. It may not be as centrally located as Mission Dolores or Grace Cathedral, but it is well worth the trip on the Trans-Siberian Railroad (oh, wait, that's the 38-Geary). read more

Holy Virgin Cathedral - At dusk. - Churches Near Me - San Francisco, California

Officially, this is the "Holy Virgin Church, the Joy of All Who Sorrow." This weekend they are holding Open House, with a festival in the basement and back yard. This is a beautiful example of a Russian Orthodox church. It is the Cathedral for the Bishop of the Western American Diocese. The Catholics don't have a lock on this town. That's real gold on the domes. Real silver on the icons. A real Saint lying in the sanctuary. Lots to admire and to learn, about religion, Russian-American history, art and architecture. . read more

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Beautiful Russian orthodox church! Great history. They have an amazing parish that cares about all people and Christians a like. Very talented singers as well! Come to a service to learn about the cathedral and support the parish! read more

I pass this magnificent church on geary blvd. often. seeing it from a distance reminds me of a church in mother russia. its an orthodox church with a high school and other facilities. A few russian businesses are in the immediate area. I have never been inside but would love to visit. read more

Well, I am in part Russian. Plus I am of northern European stock, born on the European Continent, and have also a touch of Japanese in my ancestry -- so I am a MUTT! A true Eurasian! I had a Russian class from City College many years ago taken my first semester of Russian. Oh, I also happen to be a Rosicrucian (member of AMORC). We had an outing with our class to this which is really a very beautiful edifice. However desite my Russian ancestry, I was greeted by their chief priest and found him rather unpleasant and extremely rude! Also in addition, they absolutely NEVER (I suppose this also means on Open House Day as well) open their Inner Sanctum for interested people or scholars on religion such as myself to enter and appreciate. It is only opened once a year (I think around Easter) and even then one can only peer in but still cannot actually ever enter such as this is reserved for clergy only, the old fashioned seperation of clergy and laity, like as custom in Japan. I was also attacked because I am a affiliated with the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC (www.amorc.org) which is a well respected international education and cultural organisation teaching the arts, science, and mysticism, who also BTW operates the Egyptian Museum in San Jose. This priest was outright hostiel towards me and condemned AMORC! Very surprising and disappointing! (AMORC is NOT a Religion in its own right, and thus as such has no adversarial relations with any religious Institution -- inclusive of the Russian Orthodox Church). Further, as I was brought up on Eastern Orthodoxy, I left the faith due to the persistent (until even this very moment) of their HOMOPHOBIA and bitter contempt (due to their misinterpretation of the Holy Scriptures) and very hostile attitude towards the LGBT Community -- especially right here in San Francisco! I am part Russian and I am gay! For God's sakes there are multitude of LGBT members in the world's largest country! 1. They should offer a chance at least once per annum with some time set aside for church (lay) members and the interested general public to visit their Inner Sanctum for its architectural beauty during non-liturgical hours. 2. The Religion MUST come up to the 21 Century as to change their negative conduct towards LGBT Community and start to be positive and indeed accepting -- finally! Had it not been for these two points, undoubtedly, I most likely would have joined their congregation! So sad (as this is why I have to offer only three stars). read more

Absolutely breathtaking cathedral! I'm Russian so I miss the beauty of Eastern European churches.. this church is large and just so beautiful!! The energy is so pure and amazing, I would absolutely come here again to sit, meditate and pray! read more

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I can't tell you how many times I have walked by this Russian Orthodox church or seen the priests walk up and down Geary looking like they stepped off a time machine from the 18th century. Even if you're not religious, you can appreciate a beautiful piece of architecture that is a throwback to an era that most of us cannot begin to understand. So the one time I am taking my time to really see what a magnificent and beautiful church it is - an old man is walking by blowing his nose with his fingers and trying to toss his "residue" my way. It was a sign!!! I should have been paying attention prior to this and something I should not take for granted... So if you're ever driving down Geary Blvd. toward the beach, you can't miss this church between 26th & 27th Avenue - it's on the right side with a more-than-grand gold dome that you can't miss. Park if you can and check it out, especially from across the street so you can catch all the religious representations surrounding the dome...just make sure to listen for anyone that could be sniffling. And if you really need a landmark - it's right across the street from Trad'r Sam. And don't be intimidated by its name... read more

Very beautiful cathedral with a rich history. Open to the public almost every day. Best to at least wear pants and shoes (rather than shorts, flip flops) and women should preferably wear a dress, but really it is your choice. The 1 star reviews are all because of some personal rants, and have nothing to do with the actual church so should be wisely ignored! read more

Definitely a GEM in the Richmond District of SF. I have always driven by this church on Geary Boulevard and admired its beauty from the outside. Yesterday, I decided to go inside for the first time and it was even more amazing, absolutely breathtaking! I cannot speak for the services, but the architecture and ornate interior are definitely worth a visit, whether tourist or local and regardless of your religious affiliation (or lack thereof). read more

A jewel in the city of San Francisco, I absolutely love this Cathedral. Although I am not Russian, I always feel welcome and the Fathers are absolutely brilliant and very accommodating. I have a attended this Cathedral on various occasions (specifically for the Feast Day of St. John Maximovich-twice) and during weekdays for liturgy and have always had a full-filling experience (every time I have attended I have felt touched by the Lord). If you have never attended, please do, even it you are not Orthodox, you will have a great spiritual experience-all you need is a willingness and an open heart, and the Lord will meet you where you are. Please feel free to look on the website for more information. read more

Having driven by this church for years, today I finally decided that I wanted to view the inside. It is very beautiful inside of the church.

Yes, this is indeed a beautiful Russian cathedral, but it is full of judgemental people who do not welcome newcomers and shun anyone they don't like. It's a disgraceful place and not exactly simply a place of worship, but a social club where people give you dirty looks and make you feel unwelcome. It's ring leaders are a family by the last name of Krasovsky and they are just the most disgusting people out there. For example, three years ago, my husband's mother died and the Krasovsky choir sang at the funeral. When the choir came down from the balcony and passed us, Mr. Krasovsky looked me and my husband up and down (and he knows who we are very well) and sarcastically laughed and never offered any condolensces. What a pig! His wife, Natalie, is also the same way. In a nutshell, the people that run this church do not welcome others. If you are expecting to attend a service solely to pray and worship, you will be greeted with dirty looks from various people who scrutinize and criticize and believe that they and their families are superior to others, which of course they are not. Visit the church when there is not a service going on, but stay away from it during services. read more