7th Annual Cossack Congress in America

The 7th annual Cossack Congress in America concluded in the all Cossack Stanitsa of Vineland, New Jersey. This is the first time in history that the annual congress was held in Stanitsa of Vineland. We express a deep affection and gratitude to Alexey Kaganzev the Ataman of the Stanitsa, and to Hieromonk Tikhon the rector of the Holy Virgin Protection Skete.

The Congress began with the welcoming of delegates from member organizations in the church hall of the Holy Virgin Protection Skete. At 10:30AM the Cossacks gathered for a prayer and officially began the annual Cossack Congress in America. The Congress approved the work completed by the current leadership and has reelected Iegor Brun de Saint Hippolyte as the Supreme Ataman of the Cossack Congress in America, Ruslan Dimitrov as the Vice Atman of the Cossack Congress in America for the territory of Canada, and Alexey Bocharnikov as the Vice Ataman of the Cossack Congress in America for the territory of the United States in America. Congratulations to the reelected leaders for 2016-2017, as this is their 4th consecutive term holding office. The Cossacks then discussed the missions and goals for the upcoming year and established a start up committee for a cultural Cossack festival to be held at a later announced date in 2017. The Congress also expressed the importance of continuing the previous years goal with the educational committee, and focus on preserving Cossack culture, history, and tradition in the Americas, as well as represent the ethnic identity of the Cossacks. After the conclusion of the congress, the Cossacks continued their celebration at festive tables with Cossack singing.