About Us

Founded in 2025, the Society of Saint John of Shanghai & San Francisco is a national fraternity of Orthodox Christians dedicated to evangelizing the American people, building and supporting churches, monasteries, and holy sites, organizing pilgrimages, and defending the rights of Orthodox Christians at home and abroad. We are non-partisan and apolitical, yet firmly committed to advocating for fundamental human rights wherever they are threatened.

We are, in essence, a coalition of parish brotherhoods and sisterhoods from across the country. Working together we hope to contribute to the life of our churches and solving the many struggles our communities face across the country. The Society of Saint John also works with our hierarchs and clergy both to help guide the vision and operations of the organization, and to support their ministries in whatever way we can.

At the national level, the Society leads workshop and mentorship programs designed to help parishes establish healthy, functional brotherhoods and sisterhoods that will stand the test of time. As a center and connecting point for parish affiliates, regional and state-level societies, the Society of Saint John acts as a vessel through which larger projects can be accomplished.

A recent example of our work is the Society’s Day of Action on Capitol Hill. On November 18, 2025, we facilitated meetings between a pan-Orthodox delegation of bishops and clergy from multiple American jurisdictions and officials from both Congress and the Administration.

Together, we raised the urgent issue of the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Ukraine. The discussions were productive, with many officials voicing genuine concern over the state of religious freedom and press liberties in Ukraine. This marked the first time such a broad Orthodox delegation had ever convened on Capitol Hill.

Another major national initiative is Saint John’s Press.

The mission of Saint John’s Press is to produce high-quality translations of important texts not yet available in English and to publish original works on American Orthodox history. In partnership with educators and Orthodox institutions, we are also developing a comprehensive K–12 Orthodox classical school curriculum, complete with textbooks and teaching materials. Classical schools, parish schools, and homeschool cooperatives affiliated with the Society will receive these resources at deeply subsidized rates. We also aim to establish a lottery program to provide qualifying families—especially those unable to afford homeschooling—the full set of materials free of charge.

Ready to get involved?

Are you interested in your parish joining the Society?

Interested in hosting a workshop?

Are you a clergyman, wondering how you can get involved?

Contact us today!