Church slava and Archpastoral Visit to St. Peter the Apostle Parish in Fresno, California

His Grace, Bishop Maxim led the parish of St. Peter the Apostle in Fresno, California in the celebration of their slava, on Sunday, July 15, 2012.  Serving at the Hierarchical Liturgy were host priest Protopresbyter Stavrophor George Gligic and the Diocesan Chancellor Hieromonk Jovan Babic.  Prior to the start of the Liturgy Bishop Maxim tonsured as Readers parishioners John Davis and Joseph Wesseler.  At the end of the Liturgy the traditional Litya procession around the church was held followed by the blessing of the Feast Day bread and wheat.

This year the parish honored Randy and Janice McAtee as Kumovi for their many years of faithful and dedicated service to our parish community.  The Slava Luncheon was held in the parish hall and featured a program by our young children’s dance group and a special performance by pianist Nathan Smith, a parishioner from our neighboring parish of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, and our own parishioner, mezzo-soprano Eugenia Chaverdova.  Eugenia has been home for the past month after performances this past year in China and in Europe.

It was truly a blessed day and wonderful Slava for the Fresno parish!

Source: Diocese of Western America