This past weekend, our St. Archangel Michael Parish in Saratoga, nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, was blessed to celebrate its solemn Slava—the feast day of our heavenly patron, the Holy Archangel Michael. With deep gratitude and joy, our parish welcomed distinguished hierarchs, clergy, and faithful for a day of prayer, fellowship, and thanksgiving.

We were especially honored by the presence of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington and New York, from the Serbian Orthodox Eastern American Diocese, who traveled all the way from the East Coast to celebrate with us. His gracious visit filled our parish with encouragement and spiritual warmth. Serving alongside him was our beloved host hierarch, His Grace Bishop Maxim of Los Angeles, shepherd of the Western American Diocese. Together, their concelebration of the Divine Liturgy brought profound meaning and beauty to this year’s Slava. In addition to the hierarchs, the Bay Area clergy Rev. Fr. Vasilije Cvijanovic, Rev. Fr. Djurica Gordic, Rev. Dcn. Lazar Supic, and host priest Rev. Fr. Vidoslav Vujasin, along with Rev. Dcn. Daniel August, and Reader John Buffalini, also from the Eastern American Diocese, prayerfully concelebrated, enriching the Liturgy with their presence and support.

The church was filled with faithful from all over the Bay Area, united in reverence for our patron saint and in gratitude for God’s blessings upon our community. Many of the faithful participated in the Holy Communion. One of the highlights of the liturgical celebration was the sermon delivered by His Grace Bishop Irinej, who offered a thoughtful, uplifting, and deeply pastoral homily. His words reminded us of the unwavering protection of the Holy Archangel Michael, the calling of every Orthodox Christian to stand courageously for truth, and the importance of nurturing our parish life with love, humility, and service.

In his sermon, Bishop Irinej also spoke movingly about the healing miracles from the Gospel reading: the woman who suffered from hemorrhage for twelve years and was restored to health by touching the hem of Christ’s garment, and the resurrection of Jairus’ twelve-year-old daughter. His Grace reflected on the profound spiritual significance of touch, drawing upon the teachings of Saint Bishop Nicholai of Ochrid and Zhicha, who wrote beautifully about the Mystery of Touch—that no sacrament of the Church can be administered without it. Bishop Irinej emphasized that without touch, no one can be healed; without touch, no one can be ordained; and without touch, there can be no Holy Communion, for it is through this sacred, grace-filled contact that God’s healing and transforming power is poured out upon His people.

Following the Liturgy, the Slava rite was prayerfully performed, and His Grace Bishop Irinej cut and blessed the kolach, surrounded by the beautiful children and youth of our parish, who joyfully participated in this beloved tradition. The faithful then joined together in the social hall for the festal meal.
As the bishops entered the hall, they were warmly welcomed by the young folklore group Mladost of the Bay Area, who later performed a lively program for the more than 300 faithful participants filling the hall to capacity. Their singing and dancing added a special joy to the celebration and highlighted the vibrant spirit of our growing parish community.

After the festive luncheon, Bishop Irinej offered a beautiful address of gratitude, thanking His Grace Bishop Maxim and Rev. Fr. Vido, the host priest of the Saratoga parish, for their warm reception and hospitality. He encouraged the parishioners to continue their admirable work and dedication toward the progress of the wonderful new church rising in Saratoga.

Everyone enjoyed a day filled with grace, joy, community, and heartfelt fellowship—an inspiring and unforgettable Slava celebration for our parish family.

May the Holy Archangel Michael continue to protect and guide our parish now and always. Slava Bogu i srećna Slava!

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