Within the outline of this year’s Diocesan Days in Jackson, Divine Liturgy was served as well as a Memorial service for Father Sebastian Dabovich.
The liturgical celebration was presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher of Mid-Western America, with the concelebration of Metropolitan Joseph (Bulgarian Patrirchate), Archbishop Kyrill ( Russian Church outside of Russia), Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Porfirije of Jegar and Bishop Maxim of Western America joined by priests from our diocese and many other jurisdictions. All Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in USA and Canada were represented with the presence of clergy and faithful.
During the Liturgy Deacon Triva Pavlov of Jackson was elevated to the rank of Proto-Deacon.
In the honor of Father Sebastian Dabovich, a solemn and inspiring homily was given by Bishop Irinej (AUDIO).
The liturgy was preceded by the greeting of the earthly remains of Father Sebastian at the mission gate; from there a procession was made the tent under which the Liturgy was served. The casket was carried by the priests of the Parishes that were found over a century ago by this Apostle of American land (Fr. Steven Tumbas of St. Sava parish in Jackson CA, Fr. Petar Jovanovic of St. Sava parish in Los Angeles, Fr. Russell Radojicic of Holy Trinity parish in Butte MT, and Father Ilija Balac of St. Sava parish in Seattle WA) During the Liturgy, the coffin with the remains was open, and after the Memorial service, faithful had the chance to venerate them, after which they were interred in a special tomb inside Saint Sava Church, the oldest Serbian church on this continent (1894). Following this Bishop Maxim greeted present hierarchs, priests and faithful, and expressed his gratefulness to all of them for their presence at this special occasion.. A pomen was then served at the mission for the benefactors, Todor (Tom) and Andja Polic.
In the afternoon our Bishop Porfirije gave a lecture within the “Family and life conference”, the well attended lecture was titled “Christ and Children”. After vespers, a dinner was served for all present.
Detailed program.
An article at the Sacramento Bee.