Children, Saint Petka is Your Feast!
On October 29, 2017, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, the feast of Martyr Longinus the Centurion who stood at the Cross of the Lord, the faithful and Christ-loving Orthodox people of the St. Petka Serbian Church in San Marcos festively and prayerfully celebrated their altar feast, their Church Slava of the Venerable Mother Paraskeva, St. Petka.
Upon the arrival and blessing of the diocesan hierarch, His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America, Matins was served by parish priest V. Rev. Protopresbyter Milovan Katanic. His Grace officiated at the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy which followed with the concelebration of V. Rev. Protopresbyter Stavrophor Milan Vukovic, retired parish priest from San Marcos, Deacon David Williams the parish deacon and diocesan deacon and secretary Deacon Vladan Radovanovic. In his homily the bishop spoke of the gospel Parable of the Sower and the Seed and the need for all of us cultivate the ground of our hearts to receive the Word of God. His Grace noted that our salvation is not only in a teaching but in the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and thus depends on a living faith, a living relationship and in communion with Him which can only be realized in the Holy Eucharist.
After the Prayer before the Ambon, the festive Litya with the banners and cross-bearers, the clergy and faithful, processed around the church, stopping at the church doors for the Blessing of the Slava Kolach and Wheat. His Grace broke the Slava Kolach with this year's Slava kum Milan Djokic Sr. and all the faithful who had gathered for this joyous occasion. As the clergy and congregation re-entered the church singing „Blessed be the Name of the Lord....“ and after the final dismissal, His Grace offered touching and heartfelt words to the parishioners of St. Petka in admiration of this beautiful church property and all that has been built over the years here. This, he noted, is in gratitude to the sacrifice and diligence of the founding members, the benefactors but also parishioners throughout the years who have selflessly worked and given their time and talents in dedication to their church. „Children, the feast of St. Petka,“ he added, „is your feast“. He called upon the children to come to church and to rejoice in this feast and in their faith. The children then joyously rushed beneath the showers of the so-called „candy rain“ which the bishop traditionally produces with each visit.
The Avala Folklore Ensemble offered a beautiful program to all parishioners and friends of St. Petka who attended the Slava banquet that day. Greetings were offered by the parish priest, Fr. Milovan, the Slava kum Milan Djokic and His Grace Bishop Maxim. The bishop, congratulating the faithful on the occasion of their Church Slava made special note in acknowledging the hard work of the church board this year, led by president Sasa Nestorovic and in gratitiude he gifted him a hand painted icon of St. Petka for his dedication.
As the celebration continued in music and dance the musical entertainment from the Las Vegas parish made a request that Bishop Maxim would sing the first song, „Jecan znjela Kosovska devojka“, to the delight of all those in attendance.
The festivities lasted throughout the afternoon.
Source: Western American Diocese
