Sts. Mardarije and Sebastian Canonization

THE CANONIZATION OF STS. MARDARIJE AND SEBASTIAN
Save the Date!
BISHOP'S ANNOUNCEMENT

SEPTEMBER 4, 5, 6, 2015!
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
19th Annual Diocesan Days Gathering

The Western American Diocese
of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America
PRESENTS
A Most Unique Event

Celebrating the New American Saints
Commemorating the lives of  Saints Mardarije and Sebastian,
Enlighteners and Apostles of the Church in America!

Come experience this once in a lifetime event!
Learn how ordinary lives become extraordinary by the power and grace of God.
Some of us remember them as they lived and worked among us.
Today, all of us gather as they pray to God for us!

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SPECIAL INVITED GUESTS:
HIS HOLINESS, IRINEJ, SERBIAN PATRIARCH
RULING HIERARCHS OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE U.S.A.
CHURCH AND CIVIL DIGINTARIES

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday, September 4th

1:00 p.m.         Clergy Lunch and Seminar
                        His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, Special Guest

3:00 p.m.         Meeting of the Diocesan Council
4:00 p.m.         Annual Diocesan Assembly

6:00 p.m.        Welcome Reception & Opening Festivities
                        Vesper Service

7:00 p.m.         Dinner, Presentation of Honored Guests, Questions and Answers
                        His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, Guest Bishops: Metropolitan Gerasimos,
                        Archbishop Kyrill, Bishop Longin, Bishop Mitrofan, Archbishop Benjamin
                        (Moderator Fr. Nikola Ceko)

Saturday, September 5th
9:00 a.m.       Matins

9:45 a.m.      Canonization Festivities:
                         Entrance of the Patriarch
                         Procession of Relics and Icons of New Saints                           

10:00 a.m.      Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
                       Official Proclamation

12:30 p.m.      Symposium Lunch followed by an afternoon of fellowship            

6:00 p.m.       Vespers

7:00 p.m.       Dinner

8:00 p.m.       Program: Oratorical Festival, FolkFest, Dramatic Reading & Musical
                        Presentation followed by an evening of fellowship and dancing

Sunday, September 6th

9:00 a.m.        Matins

10:00 a.m.      Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
                       Reception for Hierarchs in Diocesan Office

1:00 p.m.        Banquet & Program
                        Zeljka Gortinski will read from the lives of Mardarije and Sebastian
                        "Breza" Singing group from Phoenix
                        Keynote Address
                        Afternoon Music and Dancing

5:00 p.m.       Wine Tasting
                       Barbeque Dinner

Source: Western American Diocese