Christmas at Saint Steven’s Cathedral in Alhambra

His Grace, Bishop Maxim, celebrated the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ at the Diocesan See, Saint Steven’s Cathedral, beginning with the Vespers of Christmas on Sunday evening, January 6, 2019.

The Cathedral clergy – Protopresbyter Stavrophor Nicholas Ceko and Presbyter Norman Kosanovich – were joined by the Bishop’s Deacon Vladan Radovanovic, the Cathedral Choir, Altar servers, and the hundreds of faithful gathered on a dry evening that followed a soaking rain the previous night and preceded another shower the following morning!

We were grateful for the timing of the weather because as Vespers concluded with the singing of the Nativity Troparion and the Blessing of the Five Loaves, it was time to process with the “Badnjak” Yule Tree out to the prepared fire in the courtyard and the festivities that awaited in the Social hall. Earlier in the afternoon, the tree had been beautifully decorated with fresh fruit, walnuts, and colored ribbon by the children of the Sunday school, while a delicious bakalar dinner was being prepared by volunteers; now, both were being enjoyed along with delicious pastries, refreshments, and Christian fellowship.

In the morning, Bishop Maxim and the clergy and faithful celebrated the Festal Matins and Divine Liturgy, in the spirit of the words that begin the Christmas Canon: “Christ is born, glorify Him! Christ comes from heaven, meet Him! Christ is on earth, be exalted! O all the earth, sing unto the Lord and sing praises in gladness, O people, for He has been glorified!”

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Fr. Nicholas read aloud the Festal Encyclical of His Holiness, Patriarch Irinej, and the Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, then our Bishop Maxim greeted the congregants as they left the church and made their way to the Social hall for the traditional Christmas luncheon banquet hosted by the Cathedral Dean, Fr. Nicholas, and his family. All were nourished both spiritually and bodily as the afternoon concluded, prayerful that our Lord will bless and keep His Bishop, clergy, and faithful of the Western American Diocese!

Source: westsrbdio.org