Saturday, June 9, at 2:30 pm Western Daylight Time, the eldest clergyman of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Protopresbyter Elias Wen, died. At 5 pm, before all-night vigil on the eve of the day of All Russian Saints at the Cathedral of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow,” the first pannikhida was served by the Cathedral clergymen and sung by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Vladimir Krassovsky at the Russian Holy Virgin Cathedral in San Francisco.

Protopresbyter Elias WenOtets Elias Wen was 110 years old, and would have been 111 in a few months.

Today, Monday, June 11th his body will be brought to the Cathedral in San Francisco for another Panihida at 7:00 pm. On Tuesday, June 12th there will be Otpevaniye/Funeral at 6:00 PM after which the coffin will be borne in procession around the Cathedral. On Wednesday, June 13th Divine Liturgy will be sung at 8:00 AM, after which Fr Elia will be taken to his final resting place at the Serbian Cemetary in Colma. Pominki - the memorial meal will take place in the Cathedral hall after the burial. His Eminence, Archbishop Kyril will preside at all the services.

May the All-Loving Lord give rest to the soul of His faithful servant and may his memory be eternal.

Russian Holy Virgin Cathedral is located at 6210 Geary Blvd in San Francisco, California. Their telephone number is: (415) 221-3255.