Saint Sava Jackson Celebrates Feast of St. Sebastian

Chruch of Serbia- 12/6/16

On November 26th and 27th, the faithful of St. Sava Jackson gathered to commemorate the founders of the parish and the Feast of St. Sebastian of Jackson and San Francisco.

The two-day event began with Great Vespers on Saturday evening.  At the invitation of His Grace Bishop Maxim, His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin (OCA, San Francisco) attended the service which was led by Fr. Stephen Tumbas.  Following vespers, the clergy with their wives and the bishops dined at the National Hotel.

Sunday morning, his Grace Bishop Maxim led the local clergy in a Matins service at 8:30 am.  His Eminence Archbishop Benjamin, Very Rev. William Weir (Holy Assumption S.O.C., Fair Oaks) and Rev. Andrew Jacobs (Elevation of the Holy Cross, OCA, Sacramento) joined Bishop Maxim and the local clergy, Fr. Steve, Protodeacon Triva Paul and Deacon Dragan Stojanovich, for the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am.

Archbishop Benjamin delivered the homily, reminding everyone to use the Advent season to focus on personal introspection in order to renew our spiritual relationship with God the Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ. The Gospel reading for the day described the man who called himself “Legion”, one possessed by many demons. His Eminence urged each of us to work to restore the image and likeness of God that we were given at birth.  He told us that we must cast away our own demons just as Christ cast out the demons from Legion.  His Eminence also commented on the unique Orthodox spirit of St. Sebastian.  St. Sebastian reached out to all the Orthodox in every community that he visited.  He unified people of many nationalities to worship together. This enabled them to found parishes throughout the western states, many of which still exist today in both the Serbian Western American Diocese and the Orthodox Church in America.

After the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Maxim, led a memorial service for the departed members of the Saraba family.  Ever since the passing of Cedo Saraba, the entire Saraba family has gathered on this day to honor their relatives and have the family grave blessed.  Lazar Saraba also graciously underwrites the expense of the Founders Day luncheon.

Our K.S.S. St. Petka prepared a traditional bakalar meal under the guidance of Dorothy (Danica) Milosovich.  All who attended enjoyed a day of unity and fellowship in the presence of the two hierarchs.  ​The entire Parish eagerly awaits the arrival of its new priest Fr Marko and his wife Biljana Bojovic. ​

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