parish annual for year 2015 final - Saint Steven`s Serbian Orthodox

SAINT STEVEN’S SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL ANNUAL REPORT
JANUARY 1 — DECEMBER 31, 2015
SAINT STEVEN’S
YEAR IN REVIEW 2015
Everlasting King, Thy will for our salvation is full of power. Thy right arm controls the whole course of human life. We give Thee thanks for all Thy mercies, seen and unseen. For eternal life, for the heavenly joys of the Kingdom which is to be. Grant mercy to us who sing Thy praise, both now and in the time to come. Glory to Thee, O God, from age to age! ‐Glory to God Akathist Kontakion 1 1
“We believe that it is
important that the
Church be the center,
with Christ as our
foundation with
which to build our
lives…we are grateful
for the Church and its
teachings. It has
made me a better person; it has made me
well in this life and in
the life to come, and
for this I am truly
grateful to God.”
I
t is important today, as we reflect back and at the same time
look ahead, that we once more rediscover the importance of our
life in Christ. The months and years are spent building our
Saint Steven’s parish and its ministries and keeping them in use and
repair. Regarding the accomplishments of our parish in some areas,
or the lack of accomplishments and possible errors in other areas, we
can all certainly rejoice in the good that we have seen and done.
Our Lord challenges us by asking, “What does it profit a man if he
gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his immortal soul?” That
is true for families, as well as for parishes. No matter how prosperous
we may become in material things, we cannot lose this battle for the
heart and soul of what we are all about. Saint Steven’s is a great parish because it is a good parish. That goodness is defined not by always doing things to perfection, since no one can do that; but rather,
by always striving to be obedient and faithful to our Lord and his
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commandments. Living in the world, we are all constantly being bombarded by negative, ungodly
forces that are trying to influence us to compromise and give in and to infiltrate our minds and convince
us and deceive us into making poor choices. We must assure that such voices are not louder than ours.
We must never give into those temptations and secular influences around us, for they only lead to defeat
and misery. We must remember that prosperity comes only where the blessings of God are avidly
sought and humbly accepted. Therefore, we must remain grounded in the person of Jesus Christ. We
must continue to stand firm in the faith. Stand firm in the faith that Christ is our Savior. Stand firm in
the faith of the forgiveness of sins. Growing in joyful faith is standing firm in the faith. Growing in
Christ’s love is also standing firm in
the faith. For all this we must depend
upon God.
"Now it is God who
makes both us and you stand firm in
Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of
ownership on us, and put his Spirit in
our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing
what is to come." (2
Corinthians
1:21-22). That is our calling. That is
the calling of every person and every
family.
It is our duty therefore to
stay focused on building the living church within and around us – which is always built on the foundation of prayer. We must never stop bringing prayer to our families, especially to our children, for a child
that prays is a happy child, a family that prays is a united family, and a parish that prays is happy and
united parish. I am confident that we will have the desire and ability to rise to the challenges of our
times. As we strive to do so in our personal lives as well as in our beloved Cathedral parish, let us always remember the Promise of God: “those that seek the Lord, shall never be in want of any good
thing.” (Psalm 34:10)
Cathedral Dean
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‐ By Fr. Stephen Lourie 1) Try to participate in liturgy more and try to arrive for on time. We take for granted the Divine Liturgy at the best of times. Often we believe that as long as we are there for the Gospel, Sermon and Communion we have had “a good enough dose of God for the week.” Partaking of the Matins or Orthros service and the full Divine Liturgy will prepare you fully for stepping up to the precious and life giving Chalice of Christ. This will in turn fortify your spiritual journey into the world for the coming week. Our responsibility to Our Lord is to try to respect the schedule laid out for us, at least once a week. 2) Ask for forgiveness from our family, friends and Christian brothers and sisters in our parish. Forgiveness is a difficult virtue to put into practice and even more difficult to use regularly. Let us therefore use the virtue of forgiveness as a basis for our continued commitment to care for His creations!!!), donate to food banks, school theosis and by regarding our earthly relationships with lunch programs, etc. Create an organized community one another as truly important. Let us practice outreach for the less fortunate residents of your area. As forgiveness, as it is the first step in preparing for Holy stewards of humanity, it is incumbent upon us, as Confession and Holy Communion each and every Orthodox Christians to lead by example. Sunday. 5) Try to attend more than one (1) Church Service per 3) Learn about praying and prayers. We tend to use the Month. Place prayer, worship and Church Services on prayers we were taught as children. There are many your list of priorities, above all other recreational prayers available for parishioners to use: check the prayer activities. The benefit of a fulfilling spiritual life will lead book and ask your Priest, he can assist by providing you to many rewards in the future. prayers that pertain to your specific situation(s). Pray 6) Put your God‐given Talents to use. We all have often, more than once a day. If you do not have a prayer corner set up in your home, ask your Parish Priest to hidden talents, or talents not used to their full potential. Recognize them, ask for guidance from Our Lord and put assist you in setting one up. them to use for the benefit of God’s Holy Church. 4) Become a steward in your parish/community. Become 7) Invite your children, grandchildren, siblings and an active, involved, caring Orthodox Christian. Donate to friends to Church Services. Become a host to your own your Parish, become, if not already, involved in keeping family. Guide them and explain to them that the One our environment clean (God placed us on this earth to 10 Spiritual New Year’s Resolutions for Orthodox Christians 4
Holy Universal and Apostolic Church is the One True Church. Explain that Orthodoxy offers all to its faithful. Bring one guest to Church per year at least and allow God to do His work. 8) Contact your family members that have stepped away from your family; or if you have stepped away, call your family. Practice patience, understanding and forgiveness. We are on this earth but once. We have one opportunity to practice forgiveness and ask for it as well. It is never wrong to come back home, even after a lengthy absence. We should never be embarrassed to admit our faults to our families and our desire to renew our relationships. We must remember, we are not perfect, we all have faults and we never know when we may be called by God to return home. 9) Experience the life of the Church and her many gifts to heal you. Attend Church services; come to Confession and Communion on a regular basis. We were born unto this earth dependent upon our Lord. Use Confession to unbur‐
den your sins and Communion to heal you. Rely on your Parish Priest to be your Father Confessor and Spiritual Guide. 10) Recognize that we are tested by Our Lord and tempted by the devil himself, daily. We are put to the test daily, as in school, so in life. Pray frequently, ask for guidance, see beyond the test, look for the good only in all situations. Avoid temptations that are “too good to be true.” Recognize that we are accountable for all of our thoughts, actions and deeds. 5
In Memoriam: Fr. Thomas Hopko Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, Dean Emeritus of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary fell asleep in the Lord on March 18, 2015. He was a beloved friend of Saint Steven’s Cathedral. Father Thomas exercised untiring and loving pastoral care on behalf many who sought him out for spiritual guidance. His greatest desire was that every person would respond to these words of Jesus Christ: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) His numerous books and podcasts have inspired countless people all over the world. In addition to his many books, articles, podcasts and sermons, Fr. Thomas published a simple but powerful set of spiritual maxims, which have circulated widely throughout the Internet for years. They are as simple as they are profound. Here they are, for your edification and reflection: 1. Be always with Christ. 2. Pray as you can, not as you want. 3. Have a keepable rule of prayer that you do by discipline. 4. Say the Lord’s Prayer several times a day. 5. Have a short prayer that you constantly repeat when your mind is not occupied with other things. 6. Make some prostrations when you pray. 7. Eat good foods in moderation. 8. Keep the Church’s fasting rules. 9. Spend some time in silence every day. 10. Do acts of mercy in secret. 11. Go to liturgical services regularly 12. Go to confession and communion regularly. 13. Do not engage intrusive thoughts and feelings. Cut them off at the start. 14. Reveal all your thoughts and feelings regularly to a trusted person. 6
15. Read the scriptures regularly. 16. Read good books a little at a time. 17. Cultivate communion with the saints. 18. Be an ordinary person. 19. Be polite with everyone. 20. Maintain cleanliness and order in your home. 21. Have a healthy, wholesome hobby. 22. Exercise regularly. 23. Live a day, and a part of a day, at a time. 24. Be totally honest, first of all, with yourself. 25. Be faithful in little things. 26. Do your work, and then forget it. 27. Do the most difficult and painful things first. 28. Face reality. 29. Be grateful in all things. 30. Be cheerful. 31. Be simple, hidden, quiet and small. 32. Never bring attention to yourself. 33. Listen when people talk to you. 34. Be awake and be attentive. 35. Think and talk about things no more than necessary. 36. When we speak, speak simply, clearly, firmly and directly. 37. Flee imagination, analysis, figuring things out. 38. Flee carnal, sexual things at their first appearance. 39. Don’t complain, mumble, murmur or whine. 40. Don’t compare yourself with anyone. 41. Don’t seek or expect praise or pity from anyone. 42. We don’t judge anyone for anything. 43. Don’t try to convince anyone of anything. 44. Don’t defend or justify yourself. 45. Be defined and bound by God alone. 46. Accept criticism gratefully but test it critically. 47. Give advice to others only when asked or obligated to do so. 48. Do nothing for anyone that they can and should do for themselves. 49. Have a daily schedule of activities, avoiding whim and caprice. 50. Be merciful with yourself and with others. 51. Have no expectations except to be fiercely tempted to your last breath. 52. Focus exclusively on God and light, not on sin and darkness. 53. Endure the trial of yourself and your own faults and sins peacefully, serenely, because you know that God’s mercy is greater than your wretchedness. 54. When we fall, get up immediately and start over. 55. Get help when you need it, without fear and without shame. 7
JANUARY
Christmas and Epiphany T
he beginning of January is recorded in the annals of the Christian Church as an ancient celebration of an event in the life of Jesus Christ which is considered as the beginning of His official dedication to His Divine Mission in the presence and manifestation of the Triune Christian God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Early on in the Christian experience, this Feast included the Birth of Jesus Christ (that is, the Incarnation of the Logos), His Baptism (that is, His dedication in a human manner), and the appearance of the Father and the Holy Spirit‐the first and only united appearance of the true Christian God. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, ʺfilled with the Holy Spiritʺ, said in anticipation, ʺwhereby the dayspring from on high has visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.ʺ In 2015, the Eve of the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ (Holy Cross Day) fell on a Sunday. His Grace, 8
Bishop Maxim, celebrated the Liturgy at Saint Steven’s Cathedral with the Cathedral clergy – Proto‐
presbyter Stavrophor Nicholas Ceko, Dean, Protopresbyter Stavrophor Ilija Daikovich, Presby‐
ter Norman Kosanovich – and the Diocesan Deacon, Zoran Aleksic. Near the conclusion of the Liturgy, the Altar servers led the clergy and parishioners in a procession out of the church and to the social court, where a bubbling water fountain and several receptacles of water were prepared in anticipation of the service of the Great Blessing of Water, taking place under a crystal‐blue sky and in the comfortable warmth of a sunny January morning. As the Epiphany troparion hymn was sung, Bishop Maxim generously showered the gathered faithful with the blessed water, much to the delight of all the children! At the conclusion, everyone received a hand‐
sized Holy Water bottle, filled and labeled for use at home. PHOTO: His Grace, Bishop Maxim sprinkling holy water,
blessing the Cathedral and faithful gathered in prayer.
The Significance of Epiphany for us Today ABOVE: Congregation Executive Board President Christopher Nikchevich
and Vice-President Steven Spilker carry the Epiphany Icon in Proecssion at
the Great Blessing of Water.
What meaning does the annual repetition of Epiph‐
any have for our faith and for our Christian life? If we repeat the ʺFeast of Lightsʺ for a mere sentimental impression, surely we betray the treasure of this great observance. The feast of Epiphany is not held only as a commemoration of a historical event in the life of Jesus, not merely for the attractiveness of the artificial atmosphere of lights, music, and poetry. The recurrent celebration of Epiphany has a great spiritual significance far beyond either of these. It is not the mere com‐
memoration of a historical event because in the Christian faith everything is present, here and now, for our Lord Jesus Christ is with us here and now, our inseparable Companion and Comforter. The historical event is but a motive and remembrance, for the Person of Christ is ever present, and His Grace is not merely a memory of history. Secondly, the physical environment, artistic or otherwise, many times helps the believer to approach his goal‐
the vivid worship of our Lord, despite the danger of making this environment an end in itself. Holding candles in our hands and with our voices and feelings of devotion, together we raise a symbol to the living Christian God‐the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit‐
as He appeared at the moment of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, as He has been determined by the Church in the Creed, as He is accepted by every believing Christian, as the living God, the God Who harkens to our voices, the God Whom we beseech to accept us in communion, Whom we hope to have as our Companion, Who is our Comforter, Who is the Alpha and Omega of our Faith. To Him, with fear and love, we dedicate the day. We hold torches as those brethren and martyrs of the early Christian centuries, a great many of 9
whom became torches themselves rather than deny Christ. We hold candles, and our hearts burn as the hearts of those two blessed persons who walked with the risen Christ to Emmaus. Yes, it is the ʺFeast of Lights,ʺ the lights which illuminate our conscience and our Christian way of life. It is rather the Feast of The Light. ʺI am the Light,ʺ Jesus said. He did not say: ʺI will show the light to you,ʺ but ʺI am the Light.ʺ It is not a new theory of life; it is mainly the knowledge of the true God which makes life as it is stated in the prayer of our Lord to His Heavenly Father, ʺAnd this is eternal life, that they know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.ʺ (John 17:3) [Source: Rev. George Mastrantonis www.goarch.org] The celebration called Epiphany, a word which is derived from epi: to and phainein: to show, to show forth, to shine upon; the noun is epiphaneia, meaning appearance, manifestation. The story of Epiphany is related by the first three Evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke, from the Baptistʹs proclamation of the arrival of the Savior, to the baptism of Christ and to the witness of the Father and the descending of ʺthe Spirit as a Dove.ʺ The Evangelist John, on the other hand, preserves Johnʹs witness of the divinity of Christ. John the Baptist proclaimed the arrival of the Savior, saying that ʺone mightier than I is coming after Meʺ; that ʺHe will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fireʺ; and ʺwill gather the wheat into his barn.ʺ The dialogue between Jesus and John the Baptist resulted in the recognition and proclamation of Jesusʹ divinity and mission. A heart without faith in God and His Grace is like a desert. Now with His Spirit the desert shall rejoice. The redeemed shall obtain song and joy in His companionship. Every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money...Seek ye the Lord, and when ye have found him call ye upon him...and return ye unto the Lord, and he will have mercy. Do we appreciate the gifts granted to us by the merciful God? Everyone is allowed to participate; everyone who feels the need of the water‐it is the only requirement to feel the need of the gift, to seek the Lord, to return unto the Lord. Thus saith the Lord: Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation...Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: make this known in all the earth...for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of her (Zion). There are ʺwells of salvationʺ and the faithful are asked to draw water out of it, to draw the Spirit of strength and steadfastness into the faith in God. 10
Savindan On Sunday, January 25, 2015, the Sunday school presented the latest edition of the Saint Sava Day Childrenʹs Program. The day began with Matins and Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Cathedral Dean Fr. Nicholas Ceko and Cathedral clergy: Fr. Ilija Daikovich, and Fr. Norman Kosanovich. Then the children prepared for the festive program that featured song and dance by the RCAʹs folklore dance groups – Andjeli, Opancici, and Sokoli – a presentation by the combined Preschool and Kindergarten classes, the beautiful song presentation by our Sunday School Music class and Youth Chorale directed by Jonny Braun, as well as individual student recitations in both Serbian and English. A delicious lunch, tasty desserts, ice cream sundae bar, and folk dancing by young and old alike rounded out another satisfying celebration, for which we give thanks to our Lord and His servant, Sava. FEBRUARY
2015 Family Winter Camp ver the weekend of February 6‐8, 2015, the third first Family Winter Camp. Jonny’s students, in either the year of the new, expanded winter camp saw even Sunday school music class or the Youth chorale, made up more students and parents attending than at the one third of all the kids attending camp. The theme this previous two! There was no snow to enjoy this year, but year was “Not Just A Mustard Seed,” and class discussions there were additions to the camp program that made up explored Jesus’ assertion in the Gospel that faith like the for it. The weekend began with a pizza dinner awaiting tiniest mustard seed can move mountains. Students were the families as they arrived at the Cathedral to board a divided into three age groups and rotated between charter bus for Wrightwood; once there, Director John discussion, music, and arts & crafts led by Cyndi Stepich, Pecel greeted everyone and directed them to their cabins which featured using a variety of seeds to personalize to stow their gear and prepare for orientation. Included in drinking mugs and photo frames! the orientation was the introduction of Jonathan Braun, For the first time in several years, a volunteer kitchen crew newest member of Saint Steven’s educational staff, to his consisting of camper parents prepared delicious meals O
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Saturday and Sunday. Everyone had high praise for Marko & Kris Dobrilovic, Jeff & Jennifer Ratkovich, and Vaso Adzich. Speaking of parents, when the Friday night icebreakers ended and campers headed to their cabins, Fr. Nick led a fireside discussion with parents on contemporary song lyrics that featured a sing‐a‐long component with Jonny and his guitar! On Saturday, Fr. Norman discussed the camp theme with the parents, which included examples of ‘mountains that have to be moved’ in pursuit of a family’s healthy sacramental life. A steady Saturday afternoon drizzle slightly altered the plan for outdoor recreational activities: several campers and parents were still able to hike the camp trail, but for Father Norman speaking with the campers during the orientation
others, whiffle ball, football, and volleyball were replaced by taking turns on a popular air hockey table and drinking hot chocolate. Something new to include during this time was preparing for the talent/variety show scheduled for after dinner! The Kindergarteners and First Graders combined to sing two songs to start the show, followed by Grades Three through Seven. The rest of the show featured campers in a variety of brief skits that had everyone laughing and applauding. Several group activities kept everyone entertained until it was time to retire in anticipation of the Divine Liturgy in the morning. Even the worship services had some new elements this Jonny Braun with campers performing at the camp talent show
year: Saturday morning featured an Akathist hymn: Glory to God for all Things, chanted and sung almost entirely by the campers; Vespers in the evening also had more verses for campers to chant during the ser‐
vice, and the Liturgy provided the music class students an opportunity to lead everyone in praising God with arrangements they have been learning in class. As the bus pulled away Sunday afternoon and headed back for Alhambra, campers shared memories just made and anticipation for 2016 Family Winter Camp Program had already begun! Group photo of all families participating in the 2015 Winter Camp program
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in the good as well as the bad. It seems as if the Orthodox believers in California are trying to keep up with the States’ advanced status. My impression is that Orthodoxy has its deeper future. There is no doubt that America is a new missionary field for Orthodoxy. Not in the sense of On February 24, 2015, Saint Stevenʹs propagation or obtaining supporters, for there is too much hosting the first of two in a series of religious and Christian proselytizing in America. America special Faith Lectures for the year. is, generally speaking, a Protestant country. However, the Protestant divisions, along with partial and flawed under‐
The dinner talk was about the future of Orthodoxy in America, led standing of the reality of the Church of Christ has not by His Grace, Bishop Athanasius, contributed, and does not contribute, to authentic evange‐
lization and complete ecclesial Christianization of visiting from Herzegovina. After America. Protestantism came as a reaction to the wrongful visiting ten American states during and erroneous doings of the Roman Catholic Church. a month‐long stay, Bishop Athana‐ Nevertheless, Protestantism did not find a way to return to sius stated that our (Orthodox) authentic Christianity. Even though they have accom‐
Faith in America has a future and plished much on the humanitarian, social and other he believes that an authentic Orthodox mission is aspects of life, they are in ever so great a danger of being deep evangelization. These were among the words he secularized, regardless of their humanitarian organizations which suits official America and which are supported by it shared with us that day: for the purpose of the worldly wellbeing of its society. But Young people in America, who seek Orthodoxy, seek to the Church is not “the society of this world,” yet it is in confront secularism. The Orthodox Church and her this world and she, the Church of Christ, and not America, missionary work needs to help them in this endeavor. Not is the salvation of the world. I have had the opportunity to some kind of cheap missionary work likened to that of reflect on Godʼs wondrous ways and works throughout some zealots in our country, rather a deep tilling and sow‐
the world and its history – that the Gospel as the Good ing of evangelical seed in the souls of young people. That News of salvation is preached to the end of the universe is not only the religious teachings, nor is it catechesis or and to the end of the ages, and that all people, as the chil‐
homiletics, rather it is the awakening of new life in Christ dren of God, are called and brought home into the Church and renewing and life‐giving grace which the Holy Spirit of Christ through the grace of the Holy Spirit to the glory gives through the holy virtues and the Holy Sacraments. of God the Father.” An authentic Orthodox mission is deep evangelization. Cathedral Faith Lecture Series: The Future of Orthodoxy in America Bishop Atanasije (Jevtic) Orthodoxy has existed in America for over two centuries, but it is only in the twentieth century that its existence was strengthened. Since my last visit to the United States, Iʼve noticed significant improvement in Orthodoxy in America. I served in many parishes and visited monasteries. I was especially pleased to visit and serve in the newly opened Greek, Russian and Serbian monasteries where the monks and nuns are American. Thanks to the good intentions and good will of devout bishops, clergy and people, new monasteries are now opened on the West Coast. They say that California is ahead of everyone else in America, both 13
MARCH
Sunday of Orthodoxy Triumph of Faith The first Sunday of Great Lent commemorates the return of Icons to the worship of the Church in 843, A.D., following the defeat of the heresy of iconoclasm. Orthodox Christians in the metropolitan Los Angeles area gathered here at the Saint Steven’s Cathedral on Saturday, February 28, 2015, and Sunday, March 1, to conclude the first week of Lent with a youth rally for students in Grades 5 through 12. The Vespers Service for the feast included an icon procession with the participating clergy, and a homily by special guest speaker, Very Reverend Dr. Chad ABOVE: The clergy during the Icon Procession at Vespers
BELOW: POYAC performing at the reception
Hatfield, Chancellor of Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY. The Vespers hymns were sung by the newly‐formed POYAC singers established by Cathedral Dean, Fr. Nicholas Ceko and Cathedral lay assistant, Jonny Braun. The evening then concluded with a short concert by POYAC, the Pan
‐Orthodox Young Adult Choir and with refreshments fellowship in the Social hall. On Sunday morning, the Matins and Liturgy were celebrated with Father Chad as guest and another festive procession of icons in honor of the feast. APRIL
Pascha, The Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord "Holy Week, for the Orthodox, means you clear your calendar,
you don't make plans for that week at all because you will be in
church every day... It is a powerful, beautiful, mysterious,
humbling, healing and moving week. It is filled with tradition
and ritual. It is about renewal and faith." —Rita Wilson
Following the solemn services of Holy Week, Saint Steven’s Pascha Celebration on April 12th was bursting with joy, complete with a Midnight candlelight procession and Liturgy, Agape feast banquet and afternoon picnic with a traditional easter egg hunt for all of the children of the parish. 14
Excerpt from the Paschal Encyclical of His Holiness, Patriarch Irinej and Hierarchs T
and hearts in the mystery of the breaking of the Bread of Life, that is, in the Mystery of Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ. he celebration of Christ’s Resurrection is the Celebrating the Resurrection of Christ, “for in Him we live celebration of Life eternal and unending. Earthly and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28), guided by life is only the seed of that eternal life. That seed is pastoral concern, we call upon you, brothers and sisters, to conceived in the maternal womb, through the effectual confess and safeguard your Orthodox Faith, not only with power of Godʹs once for always‐creative blessing: “Be words, but with your life – with actions and endurance. fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue Let us safeguard ourselves from all those who “come in it.” (Genesis 1:28) sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous In the light of Christ’s Resurrection, every conception, wolves” (Matt. 7:15). In peace and love let us go to our every birth, and every human being has eternal signifi‐ churches and our holy shrines, participating in the services cance, representing a birth for eternity, as well as our and partaking of the Divine Mysteries of Christ. eternal human responsibility for it. The Resurrected Christ, Let us pray to the Resurrected Lord that peace may return “Who trampled down death by death and on those in the to all places from where it has been expelled, firstly to our tombs bestowed life,” is the foundation of man’s awaken‐ hearts and our homes. Let us preserve the sanctity of ing to responsibility for every human being, not only in Christian marriage, for it is the foundation of an exalted, time but also before eternity. Confessing the Resurrection healthy and honorable Christian family. of Christ and believing in the general Resurrection of the dead, we confess and become aware of our own unending The great Russian elder, Saint Seraphim of Sarov, would responsibility for the sanctity of every human being and always greet his visitors with the words: “Christ is risen, every creature, and we celebrate the indestructibility of my joy!” thus showing that the Church of Christ and her faith and human hope in the eternal meaning of life in saints live in the reality of the Resurrection. May God Christ, the God of love, sacrificed “for the life of the grant that we become witnesses of that truth, and that in our souls and in our faces the joy of the Resurrection may world.” shine unceasingly. Today, as always, self‐love and selfishness threatens to destroy the meaning of this selfless self‐sacrificing love of Christ, the love by whose radiating flame all beings and all creation is warmed. Only faith in man’s immortality and in eternal responsibility for oneʹs life and actions can ‐ by its flame – abolish selfishness as a false principle of life, revealing that self‐sacrificial love for God and our neighbor, our eternal brother and co‐worker, is the only way out of and our only salvation from all of man’s delusions, darkness and hopelessness. Only souls filled with and renewed by the light of the Resurrected Christ and by hope in the general Resurrection of the dead are freed from selfishness and injustice, fear and greed; receiving shyness and kindness, they find the true measure of all transitory things and a balance between the The beauty of these Holy Days was made even more memorable by the sanctity of the general and communal good and of beautiful services, the loving prayers and offerings of all the faithful personal needs; they learn the brotherly sharing of goods who came to share in great joy. 15
MAY
3rd Annual Festival of Learning T
he Central aim of Christian education in our Church is to evoke and nurture faith in Jesus Christ accord‐
ing to the Orthodox Teaching and vision, out of which issues a genuine Orthodox way of life. The Church nurtures a living awareness of the risen Christ in our midst, who is the true Celebrant of Sacraments and the true Teacher of His people, and makes Himself known to us by the grace of the Holy Spirit. The whole range of Orthodox Children of the school enthusiastically describe their education
educational material‐ books, visuals, Bible Studies, lives of projects to parishioners at the Annual Festival of Learning
saints contemporary discussion of Christian values‐becomes effective to the degree that communicates the love and sprit of Christ. Throughout the school year, beginning in September, children, parents, family members, and our Sunday School staff begin collecting samples of work from ongoing lessons and projects and reserve them for display, reflection, discussion, and expanded learning during the festival in May. The theme each year is merely to showcase aspects of the program that we are already working on with our children and teens, and helps to make visible how students are growing in the Orthodox Christian faith and learning through our Cathedral School Program. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
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—Proverbs 22:6
The Feast of Saint Nicholai Cathedral Young Adults celebrate their Patron Saint Finley. Fr. John shared his observation as to why Saint Nicholai is known as the “New Chrysostom,” reflecting on the preaching and writing style of the saint, in particular his Paschal homilies. The Cathedral parish has special devotion to Saint Nicholai for many obvious reasons, including the fact that the Cathedral Church was consecrated in 1952 by this beloved saint. O
n Sunday, May 3, 2015, Saint Steven’s Cathedral in Alhambra, Los Angeles California, celebrated the feast day of Saint Nicholai Velimirovic, the patron saint of the Cathedral’s Young Adult Fellowship. To help honor this day, with the blessings of His Grace, Bishop Maxim, the young adults invited Fr. John Finley to be their guest for the feast. Fr. John serves St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Santa Barbara and is an active field staff member of the Department of Missions and Evangel‐
ism for the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. For more than a decade, Fr. John has admired and studied the writings of Saint Nicholai, incorporating them into his daily prayer, reading and study. In his homily, Fr. John shared his personal joy in celebrating this feast day, and elaborated on how Saint Nicholai views suffering as an opportunity for repentance and spiritual growth towards the Kingdom of God. ABOVE: Fr. John Finley, speaking on the life and work of Saint
Nicholai, “The New Chrysostom”
BELOW: Pace Rommel reading excerpt from the collective works of
Saint Nicholai
The feast day featured the full participation of the parish in the Matins service, Divine Liturgy, lunch and program presented by the young adults of the Cathedral. The program featured a hymn of Saint Nicholai sung by Saint Steven’s Youth Chorale, excerpts from the writings of Saint Nicholai shared by young adults Pace Rommel and Cassie Vossmeyer, and a keynote address by Fr. John 17
JUNE—HONORING ACHIEVEMENT
THE CLASS OF 2015—Sunday School Graduates
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
Austin, son of Marijana Kral Sean Sager graduated from Edison High. Here at Saint Steven’s Cathedral, Austin attended Sunday school since Preschool, been an Altar server, and participated in the folklore dance program. Austin is attending now Arizona State University in Tempe. Carolyn Savich Hunter Stewart Kral Carolyn, daughter of Zelen Savich Hunter, son of Robert and Christy and Eliza Dixon, graduated from Kral, graduated from San Marino Hamilton High School with a class High, where he was active in many rank of 10 (out of 638), with the Service Clubs at school, including following Awards: 12th Grade serving as a Cabinet Member on both Science 11th Grade Physics, 10th Omega’s and Friend’s, Inc. During Grade Math, and 9th Grade award for his tenure with Boy Scout Troop 355 Highest Overall Achievement. She in San Marino, he held many leader‐
was a four‐year starter on the soccer ship positions before earning the William Renken team, a member of the West L.A. All‐
rank of Eagle Scout. Hunter was Will, son of Mila and Bob Renken, Star League First Team, and at the asked to sit on the Committee of The graduated from South Pasadena premier level. She was also a first Phil Simon Clinic Tanzania Project at High, where he was an AP Scholar violin in the Hamilton Performing Huntington Memorial Hospital. with Distinction; National Merit Arts School Chamber Orchestra and Here at Saint Steven’s Cathedral, Commended Student; and USA was elected to the school’s Planning Hunter attended Sunday school Water Polo Outstanding Academic Council. At Saint Steven’s, Carolyn since Preschool, been an Altar server, All‐American. At St. Steven’s he attended Sunday school for twelve Epistle reader and liturgical chanter, attended Sunday school, VCS and years, been a liturgical chanter and and has participated in the folklore was an Altar server. William was server with the “Myrrhbearers,” dance program. In October, 2014, he accepted “Early Decision” to Brown participated in the folklore dance was selected as one of the Kumovi University in Providence, RI, to program for nine years, Carolyn is for Saint Steven’s Day. Hunter is study Neuroscience and play on the attending Vassar College in now attending Texas Christian water polo team. Poughkeepsie, NY. University in Fort Worth, TX.
Austin Sager 18
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
HONORING ACHIEVEMENT
THE CLASS OF 2015—Sunday School Graduates
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
COLLEGE GRADUATE
Julia Ann Sellers Sophia Panagiota Stefan Julia, daughter of Robert and Sophia, daughter of Laurence and Andriana Sellers, graduated from Pamela Stefan, graduated from Foothill High School, where she was Transfiguration Academy home‐
a four‐year scholar athlete, and school program, and was a Rose received the Order of the Knight in Bowl Aquatics swim instructor, and both Honors English and Latin. Julia a private swimming and piano lettered all four years in Varsity instructor. Sophia was on the 2014 Water Polo and Swimming, and was Olympic Development Program named to the All‐CIF Division 1 First Women’s Youth National Team and Team. Active in Assisteens, she the 2014 USA Water Polo Junior co‐chair of the Village of Hope Olympic 18‐Under Champions. She Swimmers, providing swimming in‐
was active in La Canada Assisteens struction for children from the and the Hillcrest Pet Hospital. At St. County Rescue Mission, and co‐chair Steven’s, Sophia regularly attended of the Aqua Achievers, where she Sunday school, is an Epistle reader, developed and implemented teach‐
liturgical chanter/server with the ing methods for autistic children “Myrrhbearers,” member of the learning to swim. At St. Steven’s, Youth Chorale, participant in the Julia attended Sunday school since folklore dance program, President of Preschool, and participated in the Junior SOTAYA, and volunteer at folklore dance program. Julia is the Pasadena Mission. Sophia is now attending the University of Michigan attending Stanford University in in Ann Arbor, MI. Palo Alto, CA. Alana Allen Alana, daughter of J.D. and Nana Allen, graduated in December 2014 from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration, emphasis in Meetings and Events Management. Alana is currently employed as the Executive Assistant for Encore Beach Club at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas, NV. While a student, Alana was highly active in her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, and spent a full summer semester studying abroad at Luphana Univer‐ sity in Luneberg, Germany. Alana was also crowned UNLV’s 2014 Homecoming Queen. 19
HONORING ACHIEVEMENT
THE CLASS OF 2015
COLLEGE GRADUATE
COLLEGE GRADUATE
Filip Dajkovich George Dajkovich Filip, son of Radovan and Slavka Dajkovich, graduated from Whittier College in Whittier, CA, where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and placed on the Dean’s List. While studying, he also worked at the tutoring center and competed on the water polo and swim teams. Filip broke the previ‐
ous Whittier College record in the 50
‐yard freestyle swimming event, then won the same event the following year; as a member of the swimming relay teams, he has set school records on four occasions. Filip is now planning for a career in business administration. 20
COLLEGE GRADUATE
Isabel Grace Lemon Isabel, daughter of Benjamin Lemon George, son of Radovan and Slavka and Fionn Zarubica, graduated from Dajkovich, graduated from Califor‐
the University of Southern California nia State University Los Angeles, in Los Angeles, earning a Bachelor of with a Master of Science degree in Arts degree in Theatre from the Nursing degree, option specific to School of Dramatic Arts, and in the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and process making the Dean’s List all placed on the Dean’s List. George eight semesters. She became a was invited into Sigma Theta Tau member and Executive Board Officer International (STTI), an internation‐
ally‐recognized nursing honor of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, and was a House Manager at Trojan society. He wrote a manuscript Events. Isabel plans on pursuing a on insulin pump therapy, submitted career in the arts through theatre, it to a professional journal, and film, and television, as well as was accepted for publication. While writing and directing. studying, George worked part‐time as an Emergency Room registered nurse and currently continues in that capacity; he plans to become an acute/critical care Nurse Practitioner at an Emergency/Trauma center. HONORING ACHIEVEMENT
THE CLASS OF 2015
COLLEGE GRADUATE
COLLEGE GRADUATE
Madeline Nicole Lovrensky Ariana White Madeline, daughter of John and Dana Lovrensky, graduated from the University of La Verne, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Pre‐ Med. She was the University of La Verne Athlete of the Year (2015), NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee (2015), and Southern California Inter‐
collegiate Athletic Conference Swim‐
mer of the Year (2014 & 2015). Madeline was a Scholar Athlete and named to the SCIAC Swimming All‐
Conference team all four years, and earned the following honors while on the women’s swim and water polo teams: NCAA Swimming All‐
American in the 100 & 200 back‐
stroke; University of La Verne Swim Team MVP; NCAA Water Polo Scholar All‐American; (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015). Madeline is looking for‐
ward to a career in medicine. Ariana (Ari), daughter of Chris and Stefanie White, graduated in May 2015 from the University of Arizona in Tucson, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Cum Laude honors. While a student, Ari was involved in her sorority, Chi Omega, as well as Associated Students of the Univer‐
sity of Arizona, and Young Life. In the Spring of 2014, Ari was able to study abroad in the Czech Republic. She resided in Prague for four months, studying liberal arts while exploring and traveling throughout Europe. In Fall 2015, Ari will attend Chapman University in Orange to pursue her Masters degree in Leadership Development; upon completion, she plans to begin her teaching career in upper elementary education in Southern California. Every Christian should find for himself the imperative and incentive to become holy. If you live without struggle and without hope of becoming holy, then you are Christians only in name and not in essence. But without holiness, no one shall see the Lord, that is to say they will not attain eternal blessedness. It is a trustworthy saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (I Tim. 1:15). But we deceive ourselves if we think that we are saved while remaining sinners. Christ saves those sinners by giving them the means to become saints. —St. Philaret of Moscow 21
Anastasia, the beloved Mother of St. Sava and Saint Steven, is one of steadfast love and committed faith to our n Sunday, June 28, 2015, with Matins, Liturgy and Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which she manifested in a festive banquet, Saint Stevenʹs Cathedral parish her earthly life by her support of her husband, Holy Grand gathered to celebrate the feast of the Great‐Martyr Zhupan Stephen‐monk Simeon the Myrrh‐gusher, by her Lazar of Kosovo. The holy prince Lazar (affectionately zeal for her sons Sava, Steven the First‐crowned, and known as Tsar to his people) and those who perished with Vukan, by her love of all Godʹs people, and by her him are numbered among the martyrs of the Serbian beautiful imaging of the Christian virtues of faith, hope, Orthodox Church. They gained the Heavenly Kingdom on and love which were brought to fruition in her by the June 15/28 1389, on the feast of the Holy Prophet Amos (St. power of the Most Holy and Life‐giving Spirit of God. For Lazarʹs family patron) and of the Holy Martyr Vitus (from all these reasons, our Womenʹs Auxiliary honors her and which we get the name of tile. day‐known in Serbian his‐
asks for your prayers in their ministry at Saint Stevenʹs. tory as Vidovidon), on the ʺfield of blackbirdsʺ (Kosovo). Honored as kuma for the feast, was Tanya Skundric, who And though Prince Lazar was betrayed by the of his clos‐
is a marvelous and inspirational example of virtue and est nobles. (arising from a discord sown by the evil one), love for God and His Church. On behalf of the auxiliary, he and his brave warriors merited the crown of martyr‐
Vera Russo presented Tanya with a beautiful icon in dom. In a way they symbolize the martyrdom of the entire gratitude for the example that she sets for all of the woman Orthodox people by the impious Turks. Through St. Lazar and all parishioners. and those with him on the field of Kosovo, the Orthodox people laid down their lives for their Faith‐submitting This day is also celebrated as ʺEndowment Recognition themselves to continuous martyrdom and slavery for over Day.ʺ Steve Burge, Cathedral Treasurer and Trustee 500 years, rather than give up or compromise their Ortho‐ highlighted the work and progress of our Cathedral Endowments. The newest endowments that have been dox Christian Faith. established over the past year were especially Also commemorated was Saint Anastasia, the Patron Saint acknowledged with gratitude and they include: The Ann of our Cathedral Womenʹs Auxiliary. The legacy of Holy Petrovich Memorial Endowment, Bozidar L. Vasiljevich June Vidovdan and Special Olympics O
22
Memorial Endowment, Steven Daniel Colich Memorial Endowment, Danica Marvosh Legacy Fund, Bessie R. Ball Memorial Endowment, Michael P. Mitrovich Memorial Endowment, and the Mildred Zarubica Memorial Endowment. This yearʹs celebration was dedicated to Special Olympics. With 7,000 athletes and 3,000 coaches representing 177 countries, along with 30,000 volunteers and some 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games – in performed by our Cathedral Youth Chorale, under the Los Angeles July 25‐August 2, 2015 – was the largest direction of Jonathan Braun. All in all, each aspect of this sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in memorable day, planned and unplanned, was honored 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the and celebrated by the over 300 gathered with love and joy, 1984 Olympic Games. Special Cathedral guest, Jodi Price and gratitude to God for His many blessings upon our spoke to the Cathedral community on the upcoming 2015 Saint Stevenʹs Cathedral. Special Olympics World Games, reflecting on the unparal‐
leled spirit, enthusiasm, teamwork, joy and displays of courage and skill that are hallmarks of all Special Olympics events. The Opening Ceremony, held July 25, 2015 in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, site of the 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, attracted over 80,000 spectators. Saint Stevenʹs Cathedral joyfully dedicated all proceeds from this banquet celebration to Special Olym‐
pics, earmarked for athletes participating from Serbia. An‐
other guest on this day was Fr. Chad Hatfield, Chancellor of Saint Vladimirʹs Seminary. Fr. Chad spoke with grati‐
tude about the annual support that the Cathedral and its members give to Saint Vladimirʹs. He also spoke about the role that the Seminary publishing house, SVS Press has played in the spiritual growth of so many through its work Jodi Price with Special Olympian greet guests at the banquet honoring
and ministry in the Church and world. He introduced the the Special Olympic athletes.
newest publication, a childrenʹs book ʺSaint Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coinsʺ which was made possible by a generous donation from Cathedral member and Trustee Emeritus, Brian Gerich. He then called upon Brian to say a few words about this book. In his remarks, Brian revealed that he made this gift in gratitude and honor of our Cathe‐
dral Dean, Fr. Nicholas Ceko, ʺan ardent laborer in the vineyard of Christ,ʺ as the book dedication reads. This spe‐
cial gift and dedication truly surprised Fr. Nick, who emo‐
tionally thanked Brian for such an expression of love. The program also featured the popular song ʺJecam Znjela Kosovka Devojkaʺ so beautifully and inspiringly The Presentation of the Book “Saint Nicholas and the Nine Coins”
23
JULY
Celebrating the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul by Catherine K. Contopoulos In July celebrate the feasts of Saints Peter and Paul, two men whose dedication to the formation and sustenance of Christianity in the first century AD made them true pillars of the Church. Both men were chosen by Christ to minister to the world and both were given new names to mark their new life in Christ. They both embraced their martyrdom in Rome circa 67 AD. Their resolve, commitment and enthusiasm gave our Church life and firm ground. We should look to them for inspiration as we work towards the support and growth of our Church. St. Paul Saul grew up in a devout Jewish family in Tarsus, Syria. He saw Christianity as a threat to Judaism and therefore was determined to eradicate it. He is first mentioned in Acts 7:58 as a zealous persecutor of Christians in Jerusalem. On his way to Damascus to arrest Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem, he was struck by a vision of heavenly light and fell to the ground (see Acts 9). ʺSaul, why are you persecuting Me!ʺ asked the Lord. ʺWho are You, Lord?ʺ Then the Lord said, ʺI am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.ʺ Trembling and astonished, Saul asked, ʺLord, what do You want me to do?ʺ ʺArise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.ʺ Saul was blinded from this holy light and remained so and in prayer in Damascus. Three days later, Ananias, a devout Christian who followed the Lordʹs command to find Saul, healed him and baptized him so that he would receive the Holy Spirit. He changed his name to Paul. Paul began to preach to the people about Jesus and had to flee Damascus when the Jews plotted to kill him. In Jerusalem he tried to join the Apostles, but they were afraid of him, having known him as the harsh persecutor of Christians. But Barnabas believed in him and brought him to the Apostles. Barnabas and Paul went on many missionary travels together throughout Syria, Asia Minor, Cyprus and Greece. With others and on his own, Paul continued his ministry to the people in these lands again and traveled to Ephesus, Corinth, Athens, Thessalonica, Thrace, Crete, Malta, Sicily and Italy to Rome. He was the greatest Apostolic missionary and is often referred to as the ʺApostle to the Gentiles.ʺ His great courage, stamina and fierce intelligence were the hallmarks of his ministry. In his last letter, 2 Timothy, he states, ʺI have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.ʺ St. Peter Simon first met Jesus through his brother Andrew, the ʺfirst‐calledʺ Apostle. Both brothers were fishermen at the Sea of Galilee who gave up their work when Jesus told them, ʺI will make you fishers of menʺ (Read Matthew 4:18‐25 and John 1:40‐42). In Matthew 16:16‐19, Simon tells Jesus, ʺYou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.ʺ And Jesus, pleased with His Discipleʹs faith, blessed him with a sacred trust, ʺYou are Peter (Petros) and on this rock I will build my Church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.ʺ [Editorʹs Note: Orthodox Christians understand that the ʺrockʺ that Jesus refers to here is Peterʹs statement, not the person of Peter.] Peter was with Jesus throughout his ministry. And just as Christ had foretold, Peter denied knowing the Lord upon His arrest for fear of being persecuted, but later repented. After Christʹs Resurrection and Ascension and the grace of Pentecost, Peter helped foster the Christian community in Jerusa‐
lem. In Jerusalem Peter was arrested by the Jewish authorities, and an angel of the Lord freed him from prison (Acts 12). He journeyed throughout Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine and Italy teaching people about Christ. He performed many miracles of healing and resurrections as well (see the Book of Acts). He established the first church in Antioch and became its first bishop. In Rome he converted many to the faith. Peter returned to Rome where he was arrested and condemned to be crucified in 67 AD. He asked to be crucified upside down, as he felt unworthy of the same punishment as his Lord. Two of Peterʹs letters, probably written during his imprisonment in Rome, are included in the New Testament. From Orthodox Family Life and the original author(s). 24
AUGUST
Cathedral Vacation Church School Each of the choirs that performed shared the beauty of Orthodox music and above all, glorify God by offering back to Him the gifts He has graciously given to them, in honor of His Most Holy Mother. “Holy Everest: Climbing the Mountain to Heaven,” was the Vacation school theme for August 3‐6, 2015. Fourteen students and seven staff participated. The lessons illus‐
trated what was beneficial for mountain climbing – strength, energy, protection, rest – and offered the spiritual equivalents for ascending in one’s faith. Additions to this year’s program included a full family breakfast each morn‐
ing, and a brief children’s presentation to, and shared lunch with, the Senior Citizen’s Club on Thursday, August 6, before the children began their water‐slide fun! The day was especially exciting as everyone witnessed the debut of POYAC, the Pan‐Orthodox Young Adult Choir, a vision which Fr. Nick and Jonny started at a Young Adult Forum in June, 2014, when in a conversation, they acknowledged the abundant talent of young adult Ortho‐
dox singers in the area of Greater Los Angeles. Sharing both a love for Orthodox Church Music, as well as gather‐
ing young adults together within the Orthodox Church, First Annual Pan‐Orthodox Music this opportunity was too golden for to ignore. Thus, this vision inspired to build POYAC, the Pan‐Orthodox Young Festival of Greater Los Angeles Adult Choir. ith the blessings of the canonical Orthodox bishops on the West Coast, some two hundred Orthodox faithful from Southern California gathered on August 22 for the First Annual Pan‐Orthodox Music Festival of Greater Los Angeles when various par‐
ish choirs presented a concert of hymns dedicated to the Theotokos, “the Mother of Life, our unshakeable hope, ever‐vigilant intercessor and protector.” W
Co‐founders of the event, Fr. Nicholas Ceko and Jonny Braun welcomed everyone and especially expressed their gratitude to his Grace, Bishop Maxim, host bishop and to His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin, for his presence, blessings on behalf all the bishops, and inspiring all with his words and special greeting. 25
SEPTEMBER
Saint Steven’s hosts Special Event: The Canonization of Sts. Mardarije and Sebastian The Holy Assembly of Hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church during its regular session on May 29th, 2015, added the names of Archimandrite Sebastian (Dabovich) of Jackson, and Bishop Mardarije (Uskokovic) of Libertyville, the Clergy‐
men 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. On September 4‐6, 2015, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, together with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, His Eminence Archbishop Alejo Mexico City and all Mexico, His Grace Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West, His Grace Bishop John of Naro‐Fominsk, vicar of the Moscow Diocese, His Grace Bishop Sava of the Georgian Patriarchate in the US, His Grace Bishop Daniil of the Bulgarian Diocese, His Grace Bishop Longin of New Gracanica and Midwestern America, His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America, His Grace Bishop Justin of Zicha, His Grace Bishop Grigorije of Hercegovina and host hierarch, our bishop, His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America and the faithful of the Western American Diocese assembled for the Canonization of two new American Saints in the Orthodox Church, Sts. Mardarije of Chicago and Libertyville, and Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson. “How beautiful and what a great blessing it is to be gathered here in church, in Godʹs house,ʺ His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej exclaimed with joy at the conclusion of the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the third and final day of this yearʹs Diocesan Days. And truly what a blessing it is each and every year when the entire diocese ‐ the clergy and laity ‐ come together and gather in one place, around one altar, around their hierarch on that most sacred day of Sunday, the Lordʹs Day, for the Holy Eucharist. This year the faithful of the Western American Diocesan had the added joy of having the first hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, lead them in that eucharistic joy. In his homily following the gospel reading, His Grace Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West interpreted the morningʹs gospel reading of the marriage feast and the need for us to lead such lives that our garments be without blemish when we too are called to the feast. The bishop touched upon St. Sebastianʹs many great qualities and the great 26
His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, hieararchs and priests
gathered at the Liturgy of Canonization
blessing of his glorification that he be an example not only to the Serbian community, but to all Orthodox. He thanked Bishop Maxim and presented him with an icon of St. Sebastian holding the Russian church he grew up in as a child in San Francisco. The faithful who filled the church for the morningʹs liturgy filled both the main hall and patio for the banquet. The host priest, Protopresybter‐Stavrophor Nikola Ceko, emceed the program which included a performance by the Phoenix sing‐
ing group ʺBrezaʺ and a reading of the life of St. Sebastian by Zeljka Gortinski. A wonderful moment during the banquet was the bestowing of the Order of St. Sava to Ron Radakovic and Brian Gerich, two instrumental members of the West‐
ern American Diocese and active members of their respective home parishes. His Holiness, in his keynote address, could not contain his delight at the gathering, not only of the Serbian community, but the pan‐Orthodox community which gathered this weekend for the canonization of not only a Saint of Serbian origin, but for the entire Orthodox Church. It is true, the Patriarch noted, we are divided administratively, but we share one faith, we are one church! The Diocese of Western America, with the glorification of the new St. Sebastian, established a new award of recognition, the Order of St. Sebastian which, during the banquet, was bestowed to two very active parishioners and stewards of the church, Pance Smirkovic from the St. Petka Church in San Marcos and, His Grace Bishop Maxim surprised the receipt of the third Order of St. Sebastian, Protopresbyter‐Stavrophor Nikola Ceko, for his many years of dedicated and selfless service. With the conclusion of the banquet, the rest of a very beautiful Sunday afternoon was spent in fellowship, concluding a most memorable weekend of inspiration in holiness and Orthodox Christian witness. 27
The Sights, Sounds and Tastes from the Heart of the Balkans! Annual Parish Festival—SerbFest On September 19‐20, with the help of so many volunteers and generous donors, our Cathedral held our Annual Festival, hosting many guests and friends from throughout Southern California. Once again, we express our gratitude to every‐
one who helped make the festival a success! LEFT: Dancers for Saint Stevne’s Sokoli Dance Group Performing at the Festival. RIGHT: Guests enjoy traditional Serbian dance
Cathedral Faith Lecture Series: Salvation: An Individual or Ecclesiastic Event? Visit of Professor Christos Yannaras, Ph. Professor Yannaras and lecture participants
September 24 Author of more than 30 books and Professor Emeritus of Social and Political Science in Athens, Greece. “Professor Yan‐
naras has been for several decades one of the most prolific, original and contemporary Orthodox writers in Greece...and perhaps one of the most significant Christian philosopher in Europe” ‐ Rowan Williams, Ph.D., former Archbishop of Canterbury. Professor Yannaras was guest speaker for the second in our Cathedral Faith Lecture Series. The topic was salvation, and the ramifications of individualism in the spiritual life. 28
OCTOBER The feast day of Saint Steven O
BELOW: John and Ilona Pecel, Ian and Renee Kleinsasser, and
Paul Kosanovich, honored kumovi for the Cathedral Slava
BELOW: Members of the Youth Chorus, under the direction of
Jonny Braun, perform heart-warming song from Kosovo
n Sunday, October 11, 2015, the Cathedral celebrated the feast of itʹs Patron Saint, Steven, Simon the monk. The festive liturgy had a special dynamic quality of antiphonal singing with the Cathedral Choir and the Cathedral Youth Chorale and Sunday School singers. Honored kumovi for the feast were John and Ilona Pecel, Ian and Renee Kleinsasser and Paul Kosanovich, who all faithfully serve the Church in numerous capacities. John is a member of the Cathedral Board of Trustees and Cathedral Family Winter Camp Director, while Ilona is always helping out in the kitchen for Sunday lunches, including being part of the team that prepared the slava banquet, and they both are regular volunteers for our annual ʺfacility clean up day.ʺ Ian and Renee are both Sunday School teachers, and participate in the young adult forum, where they met and in 2014, were married in the Cathedral. Ian also serves in the altar and Renee is one of the Cathedral cantors. Paul represented the Sunday School. He regularly serves in the altar, is a member of youth chorale and epistle reader. The festivities for the day which followed the matins and liturgy, included the festive procession around the Cathedral temple, a memorial service for all departed foun‐
ders, benefactors and faithful Cathedral members, as well as the blessing of the festive bread (slavski kolach) and wheat. The program included greetings from Cathedral Dean, Fr. Nicholas Ceko, Executive Board President Christopher Nikchevich, and Executive Board Vice‐President Steve Spilker. It also featured a performance by some of the mem‐
bers of the Youth Chorale, under the direction of Jonny Braun. The audience enjoyed the two songs they performed: ʺJecam Zela Kosovka Devojka”, a beloved from Kosovo, and ʺLove never fails,ʺ a song from the writings of Saint Paul in his epistle to the Corinthians. The delicious banquet and beautiful table decorations were all prepared by the Cathedral Womenʹs Auxiliary, with Sylvia Simpson and her dedicated crew preparing a meal thoroughly enjoyed by all! 29
NOVEMBER Festal Liturgical Cycle: Family Patrons O
n each day of the year the Orthodox Church commemorates certain saints or sacred events in its history. In addition to the twelve major feast days, the entire Orthodox Church celebrates a number of other days with special liturgical and spiritual solemnity. First among the feasts universally celebrated by all the Orthodox are those of Saint John the Baptist of whom Christ has said that “among those born of women there has arisen none greater” (Mt 11:11; Lk 7:28). Certain other saints are especially venerated throughout the world as well, such as Saints Nicholas (on left) and George, the Prophet Elias and the Archangel Michael, together with the hierarchs, Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Gregory the Theologian. It is necessary to note that in the Orthodox Church the liturgical feasts are not “institutions” which are legislated by some ecclesiastical authority apart from the interest and consent of the people. The feasts of the Church, and even the canonization of saints, always follows from the living devotion of the Christian people. If there were no popular interest and veneration of a certain holy person, there would be no official canonization and no liturgical festival established in his or her honor. Once a person is recognized as a saint, however, and it is agreed that God himself is presenting this person as a living witness to himself and his Kingdom, then the Church hierarchy will set the day of the feast and will compose the proper liturgical service and hymns to be used in the celebration. The frequency and fervor of the celebration will then depend solely upon the will of the people. In November, many Cathedral families celebrate their Patron Saints, and the cycle of Slavas progresses through the month with popular saints as the Great‐Martyrs Demetrius and George, Michael the Archangel, John Chrysostom, Physicians Cosmos and Damian, and the newest saint added to the calendar, Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson. 30
DECEMBER
n annual combination of observances every December makes for a most special day and this year’s edition on Sunday, December 20, 2015, was no exception. As the Matins service led into the Divine Liturgy, and Father Nick intoned “Blessed is the King‐
dom…,” the sound of the “Amen” indicated the first treat of the day: the combined Music class and Youth chorale was leading the congregation in responses. These singers from throughout the Sunday school enjoyed offering season of Christmas alone, but, rather, all throughout our praise to the Lord with the beautiful voices He has life. bestowed upon them. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the singers and all the school children headed straight for the The play concluded with the singing of the popular social hall to rehearse and fine tune one of the special Christmas carol, “Hark the Herald.” As soon as the last observances on this day: the Nativity pageant. After a refrain of “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing” ended, the delicious luncheon was prepared by the parents of the chorus led everyone in singing “Nicholas The Saintly” just RCA‐Religious Cultural Association, the children got into as Saint Nicholas surprised the children on the stage, costume and took their places, as did the student singers, another special observance on this day, and led them in for a production of The Other Wiseman, a Nativity play procession to the Christmas tree at the other end of the with a unique way to consider the idea of “audience hall, in order to present each of them with a gift: Saint participation.” The story of “The Other Wise Man” is an Nicholas and the Nine Gold Coins, a beautifully‐
illustrated inspirational story book about this man of great adaptation from a book by Henry Van Dyke, and an addition and expansion of the account of the Biblical Magi, compassion and generosity. Many of the children were tied with red string by their parents in observance of recounted in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Children’s Day on the third Sunday before Christmas. The Testament. It tells about a ʺfourthʺ wise man, who like the other Magi, sees signs in the heavens proclaiming that a tying emphasizes, in part, the holy bond of love children King had been born among the Jews. Like them, he sets have with parents and the holy bond we all share with out to see the newborn ruler, carrying treasures to give as God, who created us out of love. This day vividly gifts to the Child. The story is about his journey to the illustrated that love! manger and only at the end do we learn of his surprising and inspiring identity! He is revealed to be every believer, each one of us, who worships the Lord and, like the Magi, offers him our gift, a life of virtue. This is what we are all in fact called to do. We are all “the Other Wiseman,” called to be like the other three and do the same: bring the gifts of our life of virtue, love, praise, and worship to our Lord, and minister to our neighbours with acts of kindness in obedience to God’s teachings. To really honor the birth of Christ, our gifts to Him will not be confined to the Children’s Day Festivities A
31
PARISH STATISTICS AND SACRAMENTS FOR YEAR 2015 2015 PARISH STATISTICS Divine Liturgies: 96 Vigil/Vespers Services: 65 Matins: 70 Special Services: 56 Baptisms/Chrismations: 18 Funerals: 9 Marriages: 5 Memorial Services: 24 Pastoral Meetings with groups/individuals: 142 Marriage Enrichment sessions: 16 Visitations to the sick: 42 Catechism sessions for adults: 14 Children registered in Sunday School: 95 Children registered in Serbian Dance: 26 Parish Home Study Fellowship Groups: 4 BAPTISM/CHRISMATION Derek Meadow Brody Jaram Parker Colich Simeun Majkl Miljic Morgan Doder Savage Peter Dusan Tepic Nikola Sala Marko Cvejic Henry Michael Spadier Anika Marie Simpson Milena Katie Šapina Georgia Delph Mila Brand Jelena Tanaskovic Henry Andrew Djordjevic Luca Vukoje Zoe Bozunovic Luka Dimkich WEDDINGS Jacqueline Andrejich to Nicholas Bertole Kristina Zivkov to Rick Barclay Mark Michael to Elizabeth Palomares George Spadier to Carly Christensen Nenad Tomasevic to Katherine Petzak NEW MEMBERS Dragic Sevic, Vida Sevic, Hilda Plecas, Verica Miljic, Savo Miljic, Derek Meadows Jonathan Braun. Sasha Barnard. Jay Way Wong, Robert Lubanko In Memoriam
†Joy Pizula †Gary Dimkich †Luka Kurillich †Mildred Kavaya †Bosiljka Kovacevic †Dorothy Perko †Ilija Kovinic †Mildred Kukobat †Robert Susnar 32
INCOME
EXPENSES
Stewardship Contributions
Stewardship Endowment Income
Church Offerings
Church Holiday Offerings
Includes Auxiliary donations
$ 307,441.54
$ 88,455.93
$ 22,033.89
$ 55,082.13
Candle Revenue
$
20,686.37
Memorial Donations
Memorial Endowment Income
Life Membership Endowment Income
Parish Festival
Facility Use Fees
Beverage Income
Stole Fee Income
Interest earned
TOTAL GENERAL INCOME:
Other Income from Endowments
ALL GENERAL/ENDOWMENT INCOME:
Special Gifts
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
14,525.00
24,565.31
23,661.58
63,384.81
6,812.50
31,193.95
1,200.00
16.22
659,059.23
122,757.61
781,816.84
102,275.96
TOTAL ALL INCOME FOR 2015
$ 884,092.80
Salaries
$
192,783.52
$
173,673.86
$
133,874.14
$
65,536.62
$
$
$
$
$
$
54,575.04
18,388.16
11,729.24
17,143.10
48,346.46
37,812.65
$
14,100.00
$
$
8,050.00
31,046.66
Salary for Dean, Assistant Priest,
and Administrative assistance
Insurance, Taxes & Pension
General liability, liquor liability, payroll,
worker’s compensation, health and life
insurance, Property tax; clergy pension,
self-employment, and renter’s insurance
Maintenance
Gardening, cleaning, security, pest control,
HVAC, Facility supplies, repairs and
general maintenance
Utilities
Electric, gas, water, refuse, and telephone
Diocesan Assessment
Postage, Printing, Office Equipment/Supplies
Candle Expense
Beverage Expense
Parish Festival
Christian Education, Youth and Young Adults
Sunday School Supplies, lay assistant salary
young adult ministry, seminars and conferences
Liturgical Music
Choir Director Salary
2015 FINANCIAL SUMMARY GENERAL INCOME $ 659,059.23 INCOME FROM ENDOWMENTS $ 122,757.61 TOTAL INCOME $ 781,816.84 REGULAR EXPENSES $ 807,059.45 EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES $ 35,359.17 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 842,418.62 Net Loss ($ 60,601.82) EXTRAORDINARY INCOME $102,275.96 (as described to the right) Net Income 2015 $ 41,674.18 Charities
Miscellaneous - Other Expenses
Includes church supplies, hospitality, parish events,
event security, travel and other expenses
TOTAL REGULAR EXPENSES
$
807,059.45
EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES
$
35,359.17
$
842,418.62
Non-Regular Expenses as described below
TOTAL ALL EXPENSES
EXTRAORDINARY INCOME: The Cathedral received a very generous gift of $102,275.96, designated to make up for the 2014 deficit. EXTRAORDINARY EXPENSES: Installation of Trench drain near Pavilion; New water heater in hall; Removal of Cypress tress near school building; and upgrading electric in hall, for a total of $35,359.17 in extraordinary expenses. 33
LIFE MEMBER STEWARDS Nana & John Allen Ljiljana Botica Jasmina & Donald Boulanger Gene & Nelda Bowan Vladimir & Tatiana Budilo Mary Chuckovich Brad & Sarah Chumo George & Marlene Chumo John & Janine Colich Milo & Dolores Colich Tom & Judy Colich Marko & Duska Cvejic Radovan & Slavka Dajkovich Peter Doder Milenko and Sonja Doder Bernice Ducich Marguerite Endacott John & Valerie Glover Olga Irick Lynn Jurich Alex Knezevich Draza Knezevich Donald & Marlene Kral Paul & Barbara Kral Scepan Kral Robert & Kathleen Jo Lubanko John & Romilda Lovrensky Ollie Lynn Yvonne Maginnis Milan & Mercia Martich Eileen McCleave Jack McClellan Lawrence & Joyce Merchep Stanislava Mihich Simeun & Vera Miljic Olga Mitrovich 34
Predrag Mitrovich Mileva Mladenovich Eli Mulkovich Donald & Julie Nikchevich Rod & Veronica Nikchevic Bozidar & Virginia Pavkovich John & Ilona Pecel Mary Peyovich Ann Polich Helen Popovich Gilbert Popovich Alex & Sandra Rados Stephen A. Rados Stephen & Stephanie Rados Darlene Robles George & Linda Salata Tom & Gloria Salata Elaine Salaya Eleanor Samardzich Vido & Monika Samarzich Julia Sellers Robert & Andriana Sellers Stephanie Sellers Darinka Spadier Nicholas & Joanne Spanovich Virginia Stefanovich Martin Vignovich Ann Whelan Ariana White Chris & Stefanie White Jonathan White Nicholas White Mildred Zotovich REGULAR MEMBER STEWARDS Vaso & Mary Adzich Bryan & Marisa Allred Nancy Anzalone Nikola & Martha Bakajin Meghan & Ben Balding John & Cynthia Barnard Sasha Barnard Kimberly Barron Robert & Stephanie Barron Milos & Nada Basaric Trevor & Ana Belden Jacqueline & Nicholas Bertole Eugene G. Bowan George & Andja Bozic Alex & Julie Brankovic Andja Brankovich Jonathan Braun Michael Budincich Natalie Bulaich Carrie & Brian Bullard Jo Ann Burdi Diana Burge Henry & Harper Burge Steve & Laura Burge Andreana Ceko Maria Ceko St. Steven’s Cathedral Choir George & Lee Chumo Alicia Colich Craig Colich Ryan & Julie Colich Milan & Michelle Cvejic Donna Djujic David Djujich Mark & Kris Dobrilovic Slobodan & Divna Dobrilovic Jay Dong Max & Kathy Dragovich John Ducic George Ducich Nick & Tia Ducich Tryal & Osbelia Edmundson Andrea & Jason Fake Brian & Marilyn Gerich Robert & Bernice Gogo Jonathan & Calise Green Gregory Gutesha Dorothy Harris Michael V. Jesic Vel & Dragana Jesic Mirko & Elizabeth Jokanovic Joy Jugovic Diane Kaefer Vera Keep Ian & Renee Kleinsasser John F. Knight IV John & Natalia Koudsi George & Rose Kovacevich Mitchell & Betty Kovacevich Milenko & Milka Kozic Aleksandar & Maria Krakovic Vladimir & Mickey Krakovic Marijana Kral Michael & Lisa Kral Robert & Christy Kral June Kurilich Ben Lemon Richard Lovrensky Margita Luckovich William & Zenaida Malcom Andja & Michael Marco Ljiljana Maricic Maria Marvosh Georgia Masanovich Natalie McKenna Derek Meadows Milena Mihich Dragutin & Inge Mijatovich Robert & Milena Milicevic Diane Milivojevic Savo Miljic Steven Miller Gordon & Mildred Milosevic Diana Mirazic Yelena & Kirk Morri Alexandra Mulkovich Nikolas Mulkovich George & Melida Nelson Chris & Lidija Nikchevich Donald & Jeanette Nikchevich Michael Obradovitch Miriana Ojeda Kathryn & Manuel Olaiz Kevin & Danica O’Leary Michael & Debbie Palmer Matthew & Sanja Pearce Nicole Pecel Vojislav & Evelyn Pejic George Perovich Archie Petrovich Eleanor & Bill Phillips Felicia Pincu Jenny Pincu Maria Pincu Ned & Hilda Plecas Thomas & Lori Polich Tyrone & Bernadette Polich Slobodan & Gloria Ponjavic Emilija Popa Milica Simpson Preonas Evan & Nicole Privett Rick & Mary Beth Quinn Jeff & Jennifer Ratkovich Bret & Donielle Reynolds Robert & Jeanette Risher Anita Roglich Pace & Silvana Rommel Mirko & Ivana Rucnov Rebecca Russo Vera & Robert Russo Marc Salata Vido & Laura Samarzich, Jr. Nina Santich Aleks & Ann‐Marie Sarac Momcilo & Zoila Sarac Christopher Savic Jonathan & Nicole Savic Zelen & Eliza Savich Marina & Allan Scholl Dragic & Vida Sevic Mary Ann Sickle Sylvia Simpson Lazar & Tatyana Skundric Michael & Patricia Slavich George Spadier Steve & Mara Spilker Dragan & Ljubica Stankovic Victoria & Andrew Starke Dan & Natalie Steefel Laurence & Pamela Stefan Michael Stefanovic Tim & Cyndi Stepich Milka Stojanovich Jennifer Strbac Roger & Zdravka Strealy Gordana Swanson Miodrag & Debra Tasic Nenad Tomasevic Noelle & Todd Tydlaska Sreto & Alicia Uncanin Dobrica & Danica Vasich Helen Vico Marion Vonderohe Scott & Cassandra Vossmeyer Gordana & Senad Vukotich Lydia Vuynovich Nada & Joseph Wall Gerald Warren Michael & Karen Wayne Nicholas & Tabatha Wayne Patrick & Melissa Wayne Cristina & David Witham Denise Zarubica George Zivkovich NON‐MEMBER STEWARDS Snezana Begovic Lydia Berich Michael & Alexandra Brand Pavel Budilo Fr. Nick & Popadija Ceko Adele Chadwick Michele Clark Bea Collis Chris & Anne Cronin Franc & Vidosava Damis Olga Djukelic Tona Djukic Mirko Duvnjak Boris & Zeljka Gortinski Fr. Chris & Matuska Horsley Steve Ingistov Angelina Janich Sam Jankovich Andrija & Koviljka Jevtic Slaviitza Jovan Dejan & Svetlana Jovanovic Adam Kavic Fr. Norm & Anne Kosanovich Vasa Kostic Gabriella Lunich Ann Malobabich Pamela Milacich Peter Milacich Ankica Milosavljevic Mary Milosevich Dejan & Lily Miskovic Louise Obradovich Dusan & Ofelia Pascan Aleksandar & Iwona Pejovic Rajka Pesic Tony & Maria Plese Tyrone & Kerry Polich Ted & Jennifer Polich Edoardo Ponti & Sasha Alexander‐Ponti Sava & Renata Rados Sonia Randazzo Aleksandar & Ljubica Savic Ljubica Yelich 35
On Looking Forward to the New Year Deacon Cuthbert Downs Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, weʹll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. On a more sober note, St. Seraphim of Sarov counsels us that we will need patience to persevere, that we “should pray constantly, thank God for everything that has happened to us, always be joyful, and not let the spirit of discouragement overwhelm us.” Through the sacraments of the Church, especially Confession and Absolution, and Holy Communion, and together with all our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, we must keep the events of our lives in perspective as we struggle and strive to continue our journey. The year 2016 promises to be an interesting one. It is both a national election year and a leap year. The Summer Olympics will be held in August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A Great and Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church, the first The Year of Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2015, has at in 1,228 years, is planned to be held in Istanbul last come to an end! And what a year it as been! All of us (Constantinople), Turkey, soon after the feast of Pentecost can say “Praise be to God for all His gifts,” or perhaps, (19 June). This year will undoubtedly be full of interesting “Glory be to God for all things,” but whatever has and amazing developments. Change is in store for us all!!
transpired in our lives during the past year, good or bad, Pascha this year is very late (May 1), so the Lenten Fast joys or sorrows, it is now past and we can and must look doesn’t start until the beginning of March. forward to the new year, 2016. How will it go? What will it bring to us and our lives and our church? And just what The month of January in Latin is Ianuarius, which is derived from ianua, ‘door’, and is associated with the two‐
should we do about it? faced Roman god Janus. Janus has one face on the front of The lyrics quoted above, compiled by the Scottish poet his head and another on the back of his head, so he both Robert Burns in 1788, is sung around the world now on looks back to the past and forward to the future; hence, his New Year’s Eve to bid the old year farewell and usher in patronage of the first month. Actually, in early Roman the new one. It asks the question of whether or not we calendars, January and February were left out completely; should just forget about what has happened to us in the they were considered “dead days’, because they were so “good old days” (auld lang syne) or those whom we have drear. They were only inserted later, when the calendar known and cherished, and gives the answer that we was reformed. Also, the early Christians celebrated New should not, but rather treat all things and people with a Year on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation of the “cup of kindness.” Theotokos, only changing to January 1 after that date became indelibly associated with New Year as the Roman Our memories of past years may be fond ones, or may be Empire continued to expand. Now, the Orthodox Church decidedly “un‐fond”, but they are now part of our lives begins the new ecclesiastical year on September 1 and ob‐
and we must accept them as part of the spiritual journey serves the civil New Year on January 1. Early Celtic Chris‐
upon which we are all traveling as we seek our way to tian peoples in the British Isles celebrated New Year on heaven and the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus November 1, All Saints’ Day. And other calendars, such as Christ. As one person said, “Although the past can hurt, the Hebrew and Muslim, which are based on the phases of we can either run from it, or learn from it.” (Actually, it the moon rather than the rotation of the earth around the sun, celebrate New Year on a different (solar) date every wasn’t a person; this is a quote from the Lion King, Mufasa, in the movie of the same name!) year—rather confusing, isn’t it? 36
As was said earlier, it is important to look back on what has happened to us in the past in order to sort out and understand our progress, or lack thereof; but, it is certainly more fruitful to look to the future, resolving to do better. As St. Herman of Alaska counseled the Russian naval officers he was meeting with, “from this day, from this hour, from this minute, we should strive to love God above all and to do His commandments.” Christians don’t look back so much as they look forward! New Year’s Eve is considered the time for folks to make resolutions for what they would like to do, or improve upon, in the coming year. Did you make some New Year’s Resolutions this year? I hope you did, and that they are serious ones and that you will strive, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to accomplish them. As we tackle this task, we should take to heart the admonishment of St. Theophan the Recluse concerning Resolutions: Since New Year’s Day is the beginning of the days of the year, we ought to gather in our soul those thoughts, feelings, and dispositions that would direct our affairs throughout the year in a Christian way. We will find these the moment we bring to mind the meaning of New Year’s Day in the spiritual life. In the spiritual life, New Year’s Day is when one who has been living carelessly becomes zealous about salvation and pleasing God. When one makes this resolution, then all is rebuilt afresh both internally and externally, upon new beginnings—the old passes away and all is new. If you have this, renew it; if not, acquire it—and for you this will be New Year’s Day. However much of this mindset you are able to achieve during the coming year, in the midst of all the activities and turmoil of your everyday life, I wish you strength and perseverance in your determination to draw closer to our Lord. Truly, in His Will is our peace. Here is an ancient Celtic Christian Blessing to help you on your way: God bless thy year, thy coming in and thy going out thy rest, thy travʹling about, the rough, the smooth the bright, the drear God bless thy year! May you have the very best of years! ʺPeople in other religions go from door to door to get converts. I’m not asking you to go door to door. I am asking you to go from your door into the Church’s door. “ —Metropolitan JOSEPH 37
Every flower is fragrant through the power of the Holy Spirit, in a delicate flow of aroma and tenderness of color; the beauty of the Great contained in what is small. Praise and honor to God, Who gives life, Who spreads forth the meadows like a flowering carpet, Who crowns the fields with golden ears of wheat and azure basilisks, and the soul – with the joy of contemplation. Let us rejoice and sing to Him: Alleluia. + Akathist Glory to God for All Things, Kontakion 3 SAINT STEVEN’S SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN 2016 March 5 Women’s Auxiliary “Spring Fling” Event March 6 Annual Congregation Meeting March 14 Beginning of Great Lent March 20 Sunday of Orthodoxy April 24 Palm Sunday May 1 Pascha: Easter Sunday May 8 Mother’s Day Banquet May 14 RCA Kolobration Dinner Dance June 5 Festival of Learning June 12 Sunday School Bible Bowl June 19 Pentecost and Father’ Day Banquet June 26 Vidovdan, Endowment Recognition Day June 9 Feast of Ascension, Senior Citizen’s Club Slava September 2‐4 Diocesan Days September 17‐18 Parish Festival: Serbfest October 7 Feast of Saint Steven, Parish Patron Saint December 18 Choir Christmas Concert, Children’s Day Festivities THE ANNUAL CONGREGATION MEETING SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016 immediately following the luncheon. Only members in good standing are eligible to vote and participate in the business of this meeting. Each member, in addition to fulfilling the canonical and sacramental components for membership, must also fulfill an annual stewardship pledge as their financial commitment to the Church. A member in good standing is one whose stewardship pledge is fulfilled each year. —Saint Steven’s Clergy and Executive Board 38
2015 PARISH LEADERSHIP Right Reverend Bishop Maxim, PhD Protopresbyter Stavrophor Nikola Ceko, Dean Presbyter Norman P. Kosanovich, Assistant Priest Protopresbyter Stavrophor Ilija Daikovich, Retired Jonathan Braun, Lay Assistant BOARD OF CONTROL Stephen S. Rados, Chairman Paul Kral, Secretary Eugene Bowan Milo Colich Brian Gerich Donald Kral Milan Martich Alexander S. Rados BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tyrone Polich, President Eugene Bowan, Vice President George Chumo, Jr, Secretary Brian Bullard Steve Burge Milo Colich Thomas Colich Valerie Glover Donald Kral Paul Kral Mitchell Kovacevich Olivera Lynn Milan Martich Eli Mulkovich, III John L. Pecel Stephen S. Rados Robert Risher George Salata Christopher Savic Robert Sellers Debra Tasic Brian Gerich, Emeritus John Lovrensky, Emeritus EXECUTIVE BOARD Christopher Nikchevich, President Steve Spilker, 1st Vice President Vaso Adzich, 2nd Vice President Vera Russo, Secretary Steven Burge, Treasurer Eli Mulkovich, III, Fin. Secretary WOMEN’S AUXILIARY Valerie Glover, President Nada Wall, 1st Vice President Vera Russo, 2nd Vice President Jeanette Risher, Secretary Natalie McKenna, Treasurer Anita Roglich, Financial Secretary AUDITING BOARD Brian Bullard Peter Doder Robert Sellers CATHEDRAL CHOIR Violet Colich, President Betty Kovacevich, 1st Vice President Nelda Bowan, Secretary Donna Katich, Treasurer TUTORI—VESTRY & USHERS John Knight, Coordinator Radovan Dajkovich Mitchell Kovacevich George Salata Christopher Savic Robert Sellers Vaso Adzich Alexander Brankovic Brian Bullard George Chumo, II Marko Dobrilovic Evan Privett Andrew Robles Jon Savic Martin Vignovich SENIOR CITIZEN’S CLUB Bernice Ducich, President Eleanor Samardzich, Vice President Betty Kovacevich, Secretary Violet Colich, Treasurer Dorothy Perko, Financial Secretary Tatiana Budilo, Cor. Secretary RELIGIOUS CULTURAL ASSOCIATION Ned Plecas, President Victoria Starke, Vice President Andrea Fake, Secretary Marijana Kral, Treasurer Carrie Bullard, Financial Secretary 39
SAINT STEVEN’S SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL
1621 West Garvey Avenue
Alhambra, CA 91803
www.saintstevens.org
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