Serbian Patriarch pays visit to USA
His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, has left for the archpastoral visit to the Serbian Orthodox Dioceses in the United States of America and in Canada on 3 September 2015.
His Holiness will stay in America until 24 September 2015. The first and the most important reason for this trip is an official proclamation of newly glorified Equal-to-the-Apostles missionaries of the Serbian origin: Bishop Mardarije (Uskokovic) and Archimandrite Sebastian (Dabovich). The celebrations, on this occasion, will be held on this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at the seat of the Diocese of Western America in Alhambra (Los Angeles), and everything is organized by His Grace Bishop Dr. Maxim of Western America.
His Holiness was accompanied by Their Graces Bishop Justin of Zicka and Bishop Grigorije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina and the Littoral, protopresbyter-stavrophor Dr. Predrag Puzovic, dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of the University of Belgrade, Professor Dr. Bogoljub Sijakovicm, professor of this Faculty; Archimandrite Pavle (Radusinovic) from Ostrog Monastery; hieromonk Ilarion (Lupulovic); presbyter Slavisa Sanjic; protodeacon Damjan Bozic; Dejan Ristic, professor of the Prizren Theological Seminary with two students of this school: Nikola Rakicevic and Strahinja Sabic; professor Marko Vilovic, and also many famous people, among whom some artists and cultural workers.
Their Graces Bishops, who have their Dioceses in the USA, will participate in the celebrations, and they are Bishop Longin and Bishop Mitrophan.
The Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church with His Grace Bishop Dr. Maxim at its head announces Eucharistic gathering from September 4 until 6, 2015, when the official rite of canonisation of Bishop Mardarije (Uskokovic) and Archimandrite Sebastian Dabovich, Enlighteners and Apostles, will take place.
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. Festal Vespers
- 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.
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, 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
- 1:00 p.m. Banquet & Program
ZeljkaGortinski will read from the lives of Mardarije and Sebastian ;
"Breza" Singing group from Phoenix
Keynote Address
Afternoon Music and Dancing
The Holy Assembly of Hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church during its regular session on May 30th, 2015, added the names of Archimandrite Sebastian (Dabovich) of Jackson, and Bishop Mardarije (Uskokovic) of Libertyville, the Clergymen and Preachers of the Gospel, God-pleasing servants of the holy life, and inspirers of many missionaries, to the Dyptich of Saints (Calendar of Saints) of the Orthodox Church.
