St. Peter the Apostle Parish Celebrates Petrovdan with Bishop Maxim
On Sunday, July 12, St. Peter the Apostle parish was blessed with the presence of our beloved Hierarch and Father, Bishop Maxim for Petrovdan. Since 1951 the Serbian Orthodox community in Fresno, California has gathered each July to celebrate our parish Temple Feast of the Holy, Glorious and All-Praised Leaders of the Apostles, Peter and Paul. This year was a very joyous and spiritually up-lifting Liturgical gathering, even with the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions still in place in California. Although we were limited in the church with only 25 percent of capacity, many more were able to view the Livestream of the service in the parish social hall, while still being able to receive the Holy Eucharist,
Bishop Maxim was greeted at the entrance of the church by parish priest Protopresbyter Stavrofor George Gligich and parish Deacon Joseph Wesseler. The responses at the Liturgy were beautifully chanted by Deborah Hart and John Gligich. During his homily Bishop Maxim spoke of the importance 
of Peter’s role in recognizing who the Lord was and that it was not merely he himself who understood the Lord’s identity, but the Holy Spirit who inspired Peter, along with Apostle Paul and his mission in the church to the Gentiles. At the end of the Liturgy, we held the traditional blessing of the Slavski Kolac and Zito which were lovingly prepared by parishioner Alisa Rakich-Brooks. Alisa is the author of a wonderful series of Children’s books on creation which are published by our diocesan St. Sebastian Press.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, a presentation was made for our Parish 2020 Scholarship Awards. This year’s recipients of $1000.00 each were Larissa Duran and Stephanie Miller. Both girls were outstanding scholars and active participants in our parish church school and youth programs, our St. Sava Camp in Jackson, and currently are members of our St. Peter Choir. Congratulations to both of these young ladies!
Even though we were unable to continue on with our traditional Slava festivities, we are very grateful to Bishop Maxim for traveling to be with us to lead our patronal Feast Day celebration as we gathered in joy and thanksgiving to God and for the intercession and protection of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul on our parish community!
