Apart from all our many local parish festivities and events, one celebration and one weekend in the year is common to all: the annual Diocesan Days celebration! Unlike prior years, this year’s gathering did not coincide with a civil holiday, Labor Day, but a parish one: the St. Stevan’s Cathedral Church Slava in Alhambra. The cathedral graciously hosted the annual gathering of clergy and laity from throughout the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western America which began Saturday, October 11, 2025.

As clergy and laity slowly began arriving Saturday afternoon they were greeted by their diocesan hierarch, His Grace Bishop, and received the blessing of special guest and visiting hierarch on the occasion of the diocesan festivities, His Eminence Metropolitan Longin of New Gracanica-Midwestern America. Coffee and refreshments were offered at the North Hall for all participants, while members of the Diocesan Council held their meeting in the parish library.

The evening Vesper service was served by Rev. Fr. Marko Bojovic, assisted by Protodeacon Dragan Stojanovich. His Grace, the bishop, warmly welcomed everyone at the conclusion of the evening service which prayerfully marked the beginning of the weekend’s celebration.

During the dinner in the outdoor church hall patio, the clergy and faithful had an opportunity for fellowship.  They were greeted by the host priest, V. Rev. Protopresbyter Stavrophor Nicholas Ceko who, on behalf of the parish, welcomed all the guests for this year’s joint celebration of Diocesan Days and the Cathedral Slava. On the occasion of this year’s celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea (325-2025) Fr. Nicholas announced the newest publication by Sebastian Press: “Nicaea 325: A Council for History and Eternity — Conciliarity from Nicaea to the Modern Church”, written by our own diocesan hierarch, Bishop Maxim. The floor was opened for any questions for either Bishop Maxim or our special guest, Metropolitan Longin. The questions and answers ended with an open discussion, expressing the beauty found in the rich treasury of our Orthodox Faith. During the evening discussion Popadija Biljana Bojovic performed “Suza Kosova” and later a moving rendition of “Agni Parthene”.

The second day began with Matins and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. During the liturgy His Grace tonsured to the order of Reader: Dejan Radovanovic, Kennan Biornstad, and Isaac Patterson. Additionally, Subdeacon Brandon Paul Jones was ordained to the rank of deacon. An added blessing was the baptism of Demitrius, who was baptized during this most sacred holy service. Or, as Metropolitan Longin said in his homily, “there is no other place on this earth where man can be close to God, encounter God, touch and taste God, as in the Divine Liturgy.” His Eminence continued, “We need to have strong faith, to both know our faith and live by it. But if put to a test many of us might find that our faith is not nearly as strong as we think it is. Unlike during good times, as soon as difficulties arise, we often falter, giving in to our human fears. What does Christ teach us about these temptations? Today’s gospel gives us the answer. After spending the whole night fishing without catching anything Jesus takes his disciples to the center of the lake and tells them to let down their nets. Peter objects because the night before was fruitless. But he obeys Jesus and what happens? A multitude of fish are taken up and the nets break. The Old Testament gives us similar examples. Noah, for instance, was instructed to build an ark with no water in sight, Moses was called to lead the people to freedom even while they were still enslaved, Joshua to march around the walls of Jericho. We don’t know what went through the minds of these saintly people, but we know what they did: they obeyed! In that same way there will be times we, too, will be called to show the strength of our faith. Maybe not as dramatic as Noah and Moses and Joshua but there will come a day when our faith will be put to the test and God’s tests are never easy. But God blesses in abundance those remain loyal to him and are obedient to his commandments.”

Following the prayer before the Ambon there was a procession around the church which concluded with the Cutting of the Slava Kolach in front of the church, which was another opportunity to pray for one another and to offer special prayers for the parish family, especially the honored Slava kumovi: Ljupko and Zorka Marjanovic, John and Jessica Thompson, Daniela Milicevic.

The festive dual-celebration banquet began with the entrance of the hierarchs. The program began with wonderful folklore dance performances by the St. Stevan’s dance troupes “Angeli” and “Sokoli”. Everyone was then invited to pray together as Metropolitan Longin blessed the banquet which was followed by the singing of the National Anthems by our Cathedral Choir.

During the banquet Popadija Biljana Bojovic on cello and Vasilije Katanic on accordion performed a beautiful rendition of “Tamo Daleko” and “Montana: Soul’s True Sight” composed by Bishop Maxim.

The banquet was yet another opportunity for His Eminence Metropolitan Longin to greet everyone and express his joy for being able to once again visit this diocese and parish which he has very many fond memories of. Afterwards His Grace presented the following award: The Order of St. Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson, second degree to Milica Obradovic.

The banquet and festivities continued with music, dancing and fellowship.