History of the Fund

St. John Benevolent Fund was established in 1951 with the blessing of St John of Shanghai.

St. John’s love towards children was demonstrated by the founding of the Orphanage of St. Tikhon of Zadonsk, which gave refuge to hundreds of children in its fifteen-year existence in Shanghai, China. When re-established in San Francisco in 1951, it continued to provide comfort, education and guidance to the immigrated refuge children.

As these children grew up, they joined their benefactors and continued St. John’s mission to care for the needy through the established fund, which was organized with St. John’s blessing.

Brief Timelines

1951 – Archbishop John of Shanghai and San Francisco gives his blessing to start charitable activities to help needy members of the diaspora. A charity is formally established by George Skaryatin and his wife Olga.

1954 – First concert to benefit the charity is held at the Russian Center in San Francisco. The “Big Concert” becomes an annual tradition that brings the community together while raising money for those in need.

1966 – “Memorial Fund of Archbishop John” is officially registered in California.

1996 – Fund is renamed as “The Benevolent Memorial Fund of St. Archbishop John” after St. John’s glorification in 1994.

2022 – Fund is renamed as “St. John Benevolent Fund”      

Founders and Board Members  

1951-1964 Founder and First President -George Skaryatin

1964-1998 President - Alexander Presnyakov

1998-2013  President -George Bordokoff

2013-2019 President-Petr Ionin    

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