Congress of Russian Americans

SINCE 1973

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CRA News and Events

International Russian Language Day.

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Russian Language Day is being celebrated in the United States today, traditionally its coincides with a birthday of a famous Russian poet Alexander Pushkin on June 6, marking the importance and richness of the Russian language. This event provides an opportunity for Americans to appreciate and explore the beauty of the language spoken by millions around the world. Language enthusiasts, students, and cultural organizations come together to organize various activities such as workshops, lectures, and performances that showcase the diverse aspects of Russian language and culture. The day serves as a bridge between different cultures, fostering understanding and friendship.  It is a celebration of linguistic diversity and the power of language to connect people across borders. Congress of Russian Americans is hosting an event (check our announcements section) to celebrate Puskin’s Birthday and mark International Russian Language Day. Picture attached: monument dedicated to Alexander Pushkin erected in 1941 in NJ.

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Memorial day 2023. Fort Ross Pilgrimage.

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On Memorial Day Monday each year, the annual Fort Ross chapel liturgy is held, followed with a procession to the cemetery, where a  large Russian Orthodox cross marks the site of the settlement’s cemetery.  One hundred thirty-one people were buried in the cemetery during the Russian-American Company’s thirty-year settlement.    This year, May 29 was no exception and the lunch (trapeza) which was held at the Our Lady of Kazan Church at Russian River was sponsored in part by the Congress of Russian Americans.  A group of parishioners from the Holy Ascension Church in Sacramento provided the delicious meal of traditional kavkaz shishlik and shurpa with various salads and pies for dessert.   Archbishop Kyrill and Bishop Theodosy along with V.Rev. Paul Volmensky, V.Rev Alexander Krassovsky, Archdeacon Peter Karakozoff, Deacon Alexei Baranoff and other clergy and nearly 75 guests were in attendance.20230529_115951

This Memorial Day, we remember those heroes who courageously gave their lives.

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Memorial Day 2023 is commemorated on Monday, May 29.   It is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.  Thank you to the men and women who served proudly and gave their lives to insure our freedom!   Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.
One of CRA’s projects is  the continuation of the list of names of Russian Americans who were in the US military and participated in any of the wars, including, but not limited to WW2.   This list was started by CRA founders over 50 years ago.  Many of the names, bios, photos appeared in CRA’s almanacs “Russian American”, as well as CRA’s biographical dictionary, published some 20 years ago.   CRA has decided to continue this list, and hope you or who have had any members of the family or friends fill out the below form and send it to us at:  crahq.sf@gmail.com.    We feel it very important to acknowledge the Russian Americans, who living in the US, defended this nation for the right of freedom and many gave their lives to this cause!   Should you have any questions, please feel free to send your questions to CRA email.
Picture attached: Monument erected in 1946, in New Jersey in memory of the the fallen Russian-American military service men. Memory Eternal.
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CRA sponsored Russian Charity Ball in Los Angeles.

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Annual Russian Charity Ball took place in Los Angeles on May 13, 2023.  This year’s Ball was dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Russian Culture Museum-Archive in San Francisco.   The funds raised during the Ball will be distributed between the museum and Russian Children Benevolent Society in Los Angeles.

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History class presentation.

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Members of  CRA Los Angeles Chapter along with the Russian Los Angeles Research/Collective took part in presenting a presentation during a Russian history class at a parochial school in Los Angeles. School students currently studying history of the Civil war and evacuation from Crimea of the White Russian Army under the command of baron Wrangel.  Members of the CRA Los Angeles chapter shared life stories of their parents who were part of that evacuation and students read poems written by poet Nikolai Touroverov. 49418251-E3FF-41A8-9094-B440DFBB27E4_1_105_c103A01CE-C738-407A-9C59-9683A6633814_1_105_c

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing all our members & friends a Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you for all of your support and contributions.

Commemorative event of the 100 year anniversary of the Russian Far East Evacuation.

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On Saturday, October 15, 2022, the Congress of Russian Americans in collaboration with the Museum of Russian Culture SF and the Russian American Women’s League presented “100 year Commemoration of the White Russian Evacuation from the Russian Far East (1922-2022)”. The event began with a special memorial service (panihida) served by Bishop Theodosy. His Grace, is the Bishop of Seattle, Vicar Bishop of the Diocese of San Francisco and Western America (ROCOR).
The icon stand draped in black was adorned with two icons – one of St. Nicholas, patron saint of sailors and ships—offering safe voyage and protection from storms and the other of the Feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, Pokrov (Feast Day was celebrated the day before, Oct.14). The Mother of God Herself keeps constant vigil over the Christian world and protects it. In addition to praying for the memory of those who were part of the Admiral Stark flotilla, Vladivostok and the Russian Far East, Bishop Theodosy included prayers for all the White Russians that were forced to leave their homeland during and following the end of the Russian Civil War.
The flag of the United States and Russia stood in each corner of the room with the Andreyevsky flag, the official Russian naval flag of the Navy of the Russian Empire centered between them. This flag was an actual flag that had been on one of the ships as part of Admiral Stark’s flotilla and is part of a permanent collection from the Society of Russian Cadets and Veterans of WWI, which was lent for display at this event.
A presentation in the Museum of Russian Culture on the 3rd floor of the Russian Center building where this event took place followed. Presentation were prepared by Olga Kachina on “Starkovtsy. 100th anniversary of the evacuation of the White Siberian Flotilla from Primorye” and Yves Franquein on “Commemoration of the end of the Civil War in the Russian Far East (June-October 1922)”. Included in the presentations were biographical reference and photos of some of the ancestors, whose descendants were attending this commemorative event.
The Museum had also prepared several exhibit stands:  1. Тhe end of organized confrontation during the Civil War in the Russian Far East (1921-1922); 2. The evacuation of ground-based military units in the Russian Far East in 1922 and 3. The departure of the Siberian Flotilla. Another stand was prepared by the Congress of Russian Americans, which was a memory board with various congratulatory letters sent by some of the descendants who were unable to attend, as well as some photos of Vladivostok and prominent figures of that time.   CRA also made a memory board of various greetings and photos sent by some of the descendants that could not attend, as well as photos of Vladivostok of the 1920’s.
Guests were invited to take part in the hors d’oeuvre & champagne reception in the Bar Area on the 2nd floor organized by CRA, RAWL & MRCSF.  Russian American Women’s League took great care in preparing a buffet table of various food and desserts and donated champagne to commemorate this page in the history of White Russians.
CRA-10.15.22 Far East Exodus - photo gift from Svetlana Heiskanen of Vladivostok to museum accepting by Yves Franquein CRA-10.15.22 Far East Exodus - Bishop Theodosy panihida with icons during his sermon CRA-10.15.22 Far East Exodus - Olga Kachina lecture in museumCRA-10.15.22 Far East Exodus - reception by RAWL - President Sasha Sabelnik-Whooley with banquet tableCRA-10.15.22 Far East Exodus - Sereja's photos of all after panihida - adjusted light

St. John Benevolent Fund Virtual Fundraiser Oct 1, 2022

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Please register to join us for a ZOOM fundraising event on Sat Oct 1, 2022  from 11 am to 1pm (PDT).
The event will feature presentations by His Eminence Bishop James of Sonora, by Mother Maria, the Administrator of the Orthodox School in Bethany, and by Archpriest Serhii Ekshyan, the Head of the Synodal Department of Social Services, representing Peace to You, a foundation under the auspices of Metropolitan Onuphry, Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
A prize drawing will conclude the event.
Your donation is tax deductible and goes entirely toward the cause you choose. Your name will be included in the prize drawing.
Sincerely,
the Board of Trustees