Baptism and Hierarchal Divine Liturgy in Lackawanna

On April 21, 2018, the faithful gathered with several priests and deacons, led by His Grace, Irinej, Bishop of Eastern America, at the church of the Holy Protomartyr and Archdeacon Stephen. The purpose of the Saturday gathering was twofold: to celebrate the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, over which Bishop Irinej presided, and to baptize Amos Golić, the infant son of protonamesnik Vladislav Golić, parish priest in Lackawanna, and his wife Sara. More than 200 souls participated in the festive service.

During the rite of Holy Baptism, which was incorporated into the Divine Liturgy, His Grace explained to the faithful the theological significance of certain actions in the baptism. He gathered around himself the children who were present, inviting them to participate by answering his questions. He praised the children for their knowledge of the Faith.

The kum to newly-baptized Amos is presbyter Oliver Subotić, a cleric of the Archbishopric of Belgrade-Karlovci and Editor-in-chief of Pravoslavni Misionar (Orthodox Missionary), the official missionary journal of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

During the Holy Liturgy, concelebrating with the Diocesan Bishop were protopresbyter Vlatko Golić, protonamesnik Vladislav Golić, presbyter Branislav Golić, presbyter Oliver Subotić, protodeacon Milos Zdralić, and deacon Steven Gjurich. According to the ancient Christian tradition, the newly baptized Amos Golić, as the newest member of the St. Stephen liturgical community, was the first among the faithful to partake of the Holy Eucharist at the Liturgy. 

After the Divine Liturgy, the Golić family invited His Grace, the clergy, and all the faithful to participate in the agape meal they prepared together with their parish family.

Source: Eastern American Diocese