Bishops Maxim and Kirilo visited San Diego parish

Protopresbyter Bratislav together with his parishioners presented to His Grace Kirilo a check in amount of five thousand dollars as a gift in support of his missionary work in South America.

On the Lord’s Day, the day of Resurrection, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son on February 4, 2018, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. George parish was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Maxim of the Western American diocese and concelebrated by His Grace Bishop Kirilo of Dioclea, administrator of the Buenos Aires and South Central America diocese with local priests, Protopresbyter-stavrofor Velimir Petakovic, retired parish priest, Protopresbyter Bratislav Krsic, parish priest, and deacon Paul Germain.

Prior to the Liturgy, the Bishops were joyously welcomed by the clergy and faithful in front of the church with flowers and spiritual joy of the Lord’s Day and feast day of the Holy Apostle Timothy and Holy monk-martyr Anastasius, the Persian. After procession inside the church with hymns and after the vesting of bishops, the Liturgy was celebrated with participation of the faithful in singing and partaking of the Holy Communion. The presence of many children, the young church, brought joy to the Hierarchs and faithful.

During his homily, bishop Maxim reminded everyone that our Lord in His love towards us invites us to return to our Heavenly Fathers embrace. The Church, our true Mother, prepares us for the joyous Lenten ascetic struggle, and with that for the celebration of the Feast of feasts, the Lord’s Pascha.

Bishop Kirilo, who with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Amfiloje of Montenegro and Coastlands and administrator of the Buenos Aires and South and Central American diocese, oversees the establishment and building up of parishes of the Serbian Orthodox Church in South America, also greeted the clergy and the faithful in the joy of the feast day, outlining the Gospel lessons read during the preparatory Sunday of the Great and Holy Lent. Bishop Kirilo reminded everyone that the task of the Church is to prepare her faithful for attaining life’s final goal, which is becoming Christ like.

After the Liturgy, the Hierarchs, clergy and faithful continued the fellowship during the agape meal (a meal served with love and fellowship) in the social hall where a small program was presented. Protopresbyter Bratislav together with his parishioners presented to His Grace Kirilo a check in amount of five thousand dollars as a gift in support of his missionary work in South America. The San Diego parish called upon parishioners be a part of the Circle of one hundred families who would donate $100 each, thus collecting ten thousand dollars for the diocese in South America. The parish reached half of their goal.

Protopresbyter-stavrofor Bozidar Draskovic, retired parish priest, was also present with his family.

The Orthodox Church is by her nature, a missionary church. Every parish has a dynamic life, in as much as it partakes in missionary work, not only within her geographical boundaries, but also beyond. This activity naturally flows out of the Eucharistic participation of the local community, which points towards the apostolic mission that began in the first century.

Тhe gathering was concluded with prayer and blessings from the bishops for the continuation of the Gospel witness in the local parish in San Diego of the Western American diocese.

Source: westsrbdio.org