Eparchial (Diocesan) News

Today we celebrate the memory of St. Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson!

Today we celebrate the memory of St. Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson

Jackson, Ca - November 28-30, 2015 - With the translation of holy relics from Los Angeles to Jackson, CA, our newly glorified Saint came alive for us, as if they had never reposed and were not separated from us in time by over eighty years. The festivities began on Sunday with the Divine Liturgy served by Archbishop Benjamin (OCA), Bishop Maxim, Abbot Sava of Tvrdos Monastery, Abbot Damascene of Platina, Priests Lazar Vasiljevic, Nicholas Ceko, Steven Tumbas, Gregory Edwards, Blasko Paraklis, James Barfield, and Deacons Dragan Stojanovic and Zoran Aleksic. Fr Steve Tumbas was elevated to the rank of stavrophore and Protodeacon Triva Pavlov received the metal of St Sebastian. May the intercessions of Saint Sebastian offer to God the prayers and supplications of all the faithful.

Fr. Miladin Garic has reposed in the Lord

 Fr. Miladin Garic has reposed in the Lord - Funeral - Saturday, Nov. 28th 9:30am, Fair Oaks, CA 

Fr. Miladin Garic reposed peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, November 24th, 2015, the Feast Day of St. Stefan Decanski. His wishes were to have a funeral service in the Church of the Holy Assumption and final burial in Jackson at St. Sava beside his wife Protonica Nina.My the Holy Spirit equip him with His breath! May his memory be eternal!

Funeral Arrangments for Proto Miladin Garic

Services will take place at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fair Oak, CA

Friday, November 27th - Tisagijon at 6:00pm followed by refreshments at Church hall.
Saturday, November 28th -  Divine Liturgy at 9:30 with Funeral Service.
His Grace Bishop Maxim will officiate with local and guest clergy.
Funeral Service will be followed by Lunch /Daca at church hall.

Instead of flowers in memory of Proto Garic you may give donation to Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary in Fair Oaks or  St. Sava in Jackson

The Kosovo Monograph Award Publishing Project of the Year from the Diaspora

Belgrade, October 29th - This year's Belgrade Book Fair awards were announced today in the crowded "Ivo Andric" hall, while the Official herald was declared for the publisher of the year.

Per the decision of the jury, the award for publishers from the Diaspora went to the Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America and their publishing house "Sebastian press" in the United States for the book "The Christian Heritage of Kosovo and Metohija - the Historical and Spiritual Heartland of the Serbian people" (in English).

"In the Footsteps of Saint Sava" Canonization of St. Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson

The beautiful and spacious St. Steven's Cathedral in Alhambra was too small to receive all the faithful who came from many directions to witness the canonization of St. Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson on Saturday, September 5, 2015.

The parking lot was nearly full before Matins even began. Visiting clergy from the pan Orthodox community could not contain themselves in expressing their great joy at being given the opportunity to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Diocesan clergy as well as visiting clergy from the Diocese of Eastern America, New Gracanica and Midwestern America, as well as Canada, not to mention the many clergy from the Pan-Orthodox community of greater Los Angeles formed a long line, escorting His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej and all the hierarchs into the overfilled church with many faithful standing at the front steps, as well beside the church where seating and television screens were prepared for the faithful to be able to watch the liturgy from outside the church.

Arrival of His Holiness Patriarch Irinej marks beginning of Diocesan Days

Arrival of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch and visiting hierarchs marks beginning of this Year's Diocesan Days

Alhambra, CA - WIth much joy and anticipation the Diocese of Western America welcomed His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej on Friday, September 4, 2015 at the onset of this year's annual Diocesan Days, traditionally held Labor Day Weekend. This year's annual celebration is both historic and unique as the highlight will be the glorification of St. Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson. This is the reason for His Holiness' visit and attendance at this year's event, but also the reason for the attendance and participation in the liturgical celebration of many other hierarchs. Arriving at the diocese today, besides His Holiness, were: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Archdiocese, Grace Bishop Longin of New Gracanica and Midwestern America, His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America, His Grace Bishop Justin of Zicha, His Grace Bishop Benjamin (OCA), His Grace Bishop Savas of the Patriarchate of Georgia.

Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross in Merrillville

Before Thy Cross we bow down in worship, O Master,
and Thy holy Resurrection we glorify.

The spiritual echo of the beautiful words of this church hymn to the Honorable Cross and the Holy Resurrection permeated and warmed the souls of the faithful people of God who together with their clergy gathered around their Bishop on the third Sunday of Great Lent. With the blessings of Bishop Longin, the Lenten Vespers was led by the Dean of the Chicago Deanery V. Rev. Nedeljko Lunich. After the service the clergy and faithful people of God, together with their bishop, His Grace Longin, made prostrations before the Honorable Cross of the Lord.