Jewish New Year 5776

Evening worship last night marked the beginning of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) - 5776

The Editorial Board of the Information Service of the Serbian Patriarchate wishes its fellow citizens of the faith of the Covenant an abundance of divine blessings also in the New Year. May our fellow citizens feel happy and live in prosperity and every progress! We pray that every peace that comes from God, who is the Prince of Peace, dwells in the heart of each our fellow citizen of Abrahamic faith also during New Year 5776.  

L'Shanah Tovah!  L'Shanah Tovah U'Metuka!

His Holiness Irinej Patriarch of Serbia Visits the Diocesan Cathedral

On September 8, 2015, the Feast of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, a very special event took place in the life of our diocese.

His Holiness Irinej Patriarch of Serbia visited our Diocesan Cathedral of the Mother of God dedicated to Her Icon “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in the company of many Serbian Orthodox bishops, clergy, seminarians from the theological seminary in Prezren and others.

Veneration of the relics of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco (PHOTO)

Historic Weekend in Western Diocese Comes to a Close

"How beautiful and what a great blessing it is to be gathered here in church, in God's house," His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej exclaimed with joy at the conclusion of the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the third and final day of this year's Diocesan Days. And truly what a blessing it is each and every year when the entire diocese - the clergy and laity - come together and gather in one place, around one altar, around their hierarch on that most sacred day of Sunday, the Lord's Day, for the Holy Eucharist.

This year the faithful of the Western American Diocesan had the added joy of having the first hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, lead them in that eucharistic joy.

"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.