St. Sebastian Mission Parish Slava
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, His Grace, Bishop Maxim joined Very Reverend Norman Kosanovich and the parishioners of Saint Sebastian Mission Parish in Carson City, Nevada, for the commemoration of the parish Slava. During the first week of September in 2007, the earthly remains of Archimandrite Sebastian (Dabovich) were exhumed from Monastery Zica and translated to Saint Sava Church in Jackson, CA, oldest Serbian church in America, and established by him. In May of 2015, the Holy Synod of Bishops added Sebastian’s name (and Mardarije of Libertyville) to the Calendar of Saints; then on September 5, 2015, the public and liturgical glorification of these two was celebrated in Alhambra, CA. Thus, today’s celebration marked the eighteenth anniversary of the translation of St. Sebastian’s relics and the tenth anniversary of his glorification.
Bishop Maxim, accompanied by Protodeacon Dragan Stojanovich and his wife, Vikki, from St. Sava Parish in Jackson, CA, arrived for Matins followed by the Divine Liturgy. The Epistle was read by Alex Kolpakov, a Reader tonsured by Bishop Maxim a few years ago and a former parishioner of this mission parish who returned for this special day. Bishop Maxim preached on the Gospel reading of Jesus’ parable of the landowner and the vinedressers. His Grace offered that this parable is one of illumination: that the Author of Life gives life as a gift and that this gift is to be shared; the Father glorifies the Son and the Son gives us life eternal; Saint Sebastian took his gift of life and gave to others.
Following Liturgy, the blessing/turning of the Kolach took place before everyone was seated for a luncheon banquet. Over sixty were in attendance so a few extra tables were quickly set up to accommodate all. His Grace was warmly received and got to meet several recently-baptized parishioners as well as current catechumens. A silent auction was held for a copy of Illumination and Surprise, a full-color collection of Bishop Maxim’s iconography and paintings, and the highest bidder was able to have His Grace personalize the book before the end of the day. Speaking of which, when the festive day concluded, the Bishop departed for Jackson to lead his third iconography workshop, from September 8-12; in so doing, he continues to take his gift of life and most abundantly share it with others.
