Serbs from Hawaii celebrated Vidovdan

On All Saints’ Day, the missionary parish of the Holy Great Martyr Lazar of Kosovo in Honolulu, Hawaii, solemnly celebrated its feast day and the thirtieth anniversary of its existence.

The Holy Liturgy was served by the Bishop Maxim of Western America in the Russian Church of the Mother of God of Iverska. Priests Anatol, a Slavist from Leskovac, Athanasius Cone and Blaško Paraklis, the administrator of the Serbian missionary parish, together with deacon Nektarije, served together.

At the church entrance the bishop was welcomed by Colette Wiel, the initiator of the founding of this parish, who offered bread and salt. This Serbian missionary parish in Hawaii was founded by Bishop Chrysostom back in 1991, with the help of Archpriest Blaško, the then secretary of the diocese.

Among other parishioners, the Liturgy was attended by about 30 Serbian believers. The local choir adorned the service. Bishop Maxim spoke about the significance of the feast of All Saints and thanked the Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America Kyrill for the blessing of service.

Priests Athanasius and Anatol kindly received Serbian guests who prepared a rich agape feast for the celebration. During the gathering, Kosovo songs were listened to and sung, with a traditional Serbian kolo dance and a toast from Fr. Blaško with a glass of “Autocephaly” wine, a product of the Opolo winery and the West American diocese.

In this parish, where the dean is Fr. Athanasius, there is a myrrh-bearing icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, which is known throughout America.

Source: Diocese of Western America