Society of Saint John of Shanghai

07/02/2026

We congratulate all of our members, friends, and supporters with the feast of our heavenly patron, the Holy Hierarch John, Wonder-worker of Shanghai and San Francisco.

Saint John has truly worked wonders for our fellowship. As we continue our work in Washington DC and in our parishes across the country, we pray that St. John will continue to intercede on our behalf, to remove obstacles, and to grant us the humility and unity to carry out our missionary, philanthropic, and intercessory work to the Glory of God and His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

S'prazdnikom!

04/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington DC ― April 24, 2026

Statement on the Exclusion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from HR-8433 (S-4379)—the Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act

The Society of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco welcomes any serious effort to document and punish violations of religious freedom. The destruction of churches, the killing of clergy, and the suppression of believers—wherever they occur—are grave crimes that cry out for justice. Reports show that Russian military operations have led to the destruction of over 600 religious centers throughout Ukraine. These must be investigated and the Russian military must be held accountable for its actions during the course of the war.

However, we cannot ignore the glaring omission at the heart of this legislation and the statements surrounding it.

Representatives Joe Wilson and Don Bacon continue to remain silent in the face of well-documented persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) by the government in Kyiv. Clergy have been detained and subjected to impressment, churches seized, and legislation enacted which directly targets the largest Orthodox body in Ukraine under the accusation of “collaboration.” These actions, which have been documented by several well respected international human rights organizations, constitute a clear and ongoing violation of religious freedom.

It is particularly troubling that the majority of the 600+ churches destroyed in this war belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—the very Church now being stigmatized and suppressed by Ukrainian authorities and their allies in Washington. To condemn their destruction at the hands of one party while justifying or ignoring their persecution by another is not moral clarity—it is hypocrisy.

If the United States is to speak credibly on religious liberty—and we believe that we must—it must apply the same standard to both adversaries and allies alike. To do otherwise undermines the very principles we claim to defend.

Religious freedom is not a geopolitical tool. It is a universal right rooted in the dignity of the human person, having been formed in the image of God Himself.
We therefore call on Representatives Wilson, Bacon, and their colleagues to address the full scope of religious persecution in Ukraine—without exception, without favoritism, and without political convenience.

Only then can the defense of religious liberty be grounded not in expediency, but in truth.

Signed,

Catherine Whiteford
Director of Government Relations

04/12/2026

Christ is Risen! Христос воскресе! Χριστός Ανέστη!

03/30/2026

Pictured is our response to the defamatory email sent out by the "Order of Saint Andrew..."

We think it says a lot that during Great Lent, a time set aside for self-reflection and repentance, the "Archons" are spreading paranoid conspiracy theories and defaming Orthodox Americans...

The "Archons" have lost their way. We pray they find repentance; we demand they issue a public retraction.

02/25/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

After nearly two years in pretrial detention, Metropolitan Arseniy of Sviatohirsk was released this morning. According to the legal team, he was in good spirits, though little more is known at this time beyond his being placed on 24 hour house arrest.

The legal team expressed thanks to the Society of Saint John for its work to free His Eminence, Metropolitan Arseniy, especially to our Director of Government Affairs Catherine Whiteford, and our Coalitions Director Stefano Forte.

We thank God, who heard the prayers of his people and did not forget his long-suffering servant, Vladyka Arseniy.

We wish to thank the nearly two-hundred Orthodox Americans - lay and clergy - from across the nation who attended our Day of Action, those who sponsored it with your donations, and those who helped spread the word on social media.

Glory to God for all things!

Benjamin Dixon
Director of Operations
Society of Saint John of Shanghai & San Francisco

01/23/2026

Is your parish interested in joining the Society of Saint John of Shanghai & San Francisco?

The Society of Saint John is a nationwide, pan-Orthodox fraternity bringing together parish brotherhoods and sisterhoods to strengthen the life of the Church in America through shared labor, fellowship, and service. Unity is not an idea. It is something we build—together.

By joining the Society, parishes gain access to a growing national network committed to:
• Supporting the establishment and long-term health of parish brotherhoods and sisterhoods

• Developing educational resources, publishing initiatives, and a K–12 Orthodox classical curriculum (which will be available to members at cost)

• Pilgrimages, workshops, mentorship, and regional collaboration

• Coordinated efforts to support missions, monasteries, clerical families, and those preparing for ministry

• Opportunities to work together across jurisdictional lines for the good of the Church.

Membership is about participation, not politics—about Orthodox Christians laboring together for the good estate of the holy churches of God and the union of all.

If your parish's brotherhood/sisterhood is interested in joining, or you would like help establishing one in your parish, we invite you to apply and learn more.

This application form is designed for parishes wishing to join the Society of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco. If the parish does not currently have a Brotherhood or Sisterhood, please indicate this on the form. Forms for personal/at-large membership are available at societyofstjohn.com Ple...

01/03/2026

His Grace, Bishop Theodosy of Manhattan stands before the US Capitol holding the icon of our patron, St. John of Shanghai, December 16, 2025.
On that day: Vladyka, a native of Ukraine who was himself tonsured a monk in the renowned Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, became a powerful voice in defense of his native land and the long-suffering Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Vladyka Theodosy and St. John were both born and raised in Ukraine, both served as bishops in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and came to Capitol Hill to defend the flock of Christ.

We are grateful to have hierarchs like Bp. Theodosy to guide the flock and, when necessary, to fend off the wolves. But it is also important for us, as laity, to do our part as well.

The Society of Saint John is a Pan-Orthodox federation of brotherhoods (and sisterhoods) from across the nation. Together, we are able to pool resources to further the church's missionary and philanthropic mission. Being an extra-ecclesial lay organization, we are able to bypass the jurisdictional barriers the Lord has seen fit to allow within our American Orthodox Church. While we respect those barriers and the rich tapestry of faith which results from the coming together of these unique traditions, we likewise recognize that we are One Church, One Body of Christ - and act accordingly.

The Society of Saint John is *not* a political organization; we're not even an advocacy organization. No, our mission is to:

✅ Build new missions;
✅ Beautify our temples and monasteries;
✅ Translate and publish patristic texts and educational resources;
✅ Support seminarians and clergy's widows;
✅ Develop and publish a complete K-12 Orthodox Classical School curriculum (subsidized for our members).

In other words: to build up and strengthen our communities and equip ourselves for the doing of good works to the Glory of God. Join us ☦️

https://societyofstjohn.com
[email protected]

12/25/2025

Christ is born!

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating according to the New Calendar.

12/19/2025

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

- Isaiah 6:8

12/19/2025