On the weekend of July 11–12, St. Peter the Apostle Serbian Orthodox Church in Fresno joyfully celebrated its 75th Anniversary and parish Slava, Petrovdan. The weekend’s liturgical services and festivities were presided over by our beloved Diocesan Hierarch, His Eminence Archbishop Maxim, together with the parish clergy, Protopresbyter-Stavrofor George Gligich and Deacon Christopher Menges. They were joined by several honored guest clergy: Hieromonk Damascene, Abbot of St. Herman of Alaska Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Platina, California; Protopresbyter-Stavrofor Russell Radoicich of Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Butte, Montana; and the Dean of the Jackson Deanery, Presbyter Marko Bojović of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Jackson, California.

Both Fr. Russell and Abbot Damascene share deep personal ties to St. Peter’s parish. Fr. Russell, a native of nearby Madera, California, is the grandson of John and Zora Radoicich, founding members of St. Peter’s parish in 1951. He was baptized and raised in the parish, married his wife, Protinica Susan, at St. Peter’s, and three of their four children were also baptized there. Abbot Damascene likewise has a longstanding connection to the parish. His parents, Peter and Eleanor Christiansen, were received into the Holy Orthodox Church at St. Peter’s and faithfully served as active members of the parish community for many years.

On Saturday afternoon, before the beginning of Great Vespers, a Parastos was served in memory of the departed clergy and faithful who helped build and sustain the life of the parish. Among the clergy commemorated were the late Archimandrite Timothy Tepsić, Protopresbyter George Lazić, Presbyter Miomir Dubak, Protopresbyter Mileta Simonović, Presbyter Krstivoj Kotur, and Archimandrite Dositej Obradovich. The parish also gave thanks for its current pastor, Fr. George Gligich, who was ordained to the holy priesthood at St. Peter’s on November 23, 1986. This year marks his 40th year of priestly ministry, all of it faithfully served within the Fresno parish.

Following Vespers, the Parish Council hosted a dinner for the visiting clergy and their families at Zaatar Bistro, a Lebanese restaurant owned by the Nassar family, parishioners of the local Greek Orthodox parish.

Sunday’s celebration began with Matins, followed by the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Maxim together with the visiting and parish clergy. The liturgical responses were beautifully offered by the St. Peter’s Church Choir under the direction of Djakonica Peggy Matthews.

In his homily, Archbishop Maxim emphasized that the Church celebrates not only the Resurrection of Christ but also the holy Apostles who witnessed and proclaimed it to the world. Reflecting on St. Peter’s confession at Caesarea Philippi—“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—he explained that this confession was not the product of human reasoning or experience, but a divine revelation from the Father. Archbishop Maxim reminded the faithful that authentic faith must likewise be rooted in God’s revelation rather than in merely human understanding or personal desires. Referring to the Gospel account of the healing of the paralytic, he noted that faith opens the way to repentance, forgiveness, and healing, becoming the very foundation upon which Christ builds His Church.

Turning to the life of St. Paul, Archbishop Maxim highlighted another profound example of divine revelation. St. Paul’s dramatic conversion and his vision of the “third heaven” demonstrate that God’s grace always comes through His own initiative rather than through human achievement. Both Peter and Paul received God’s revelation with humility and were called to bear witness through suffering, faithful service, and ultimately martyrdom. Their lives remind every Christian that those who confess Christ with humility and steadfast faith receive God’s grace and are transformed into proclaimers of the Gospel. The Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul therefore calls all believers to embrace the truth revealed in Christ and to live faithfully according to it.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the traditional slavski kolač and koljivo were carried in procession around the church before being blessed. This year’s honored kumovi, Timothy and Nancy Penny, were recognized for their many years of faithful service to the parish and were presented with an icon of St. Nicholas, their family patron saint, as a token of appreciation.

More than 250 parishioners and guests gathered in the beautifully decorated social hall for a festive anniversary banquet. Special appreciation is extended to Anniversary Chairpersons Djakonica Anastacia Menges and Chyenne Stickler for their outstanding leadership in organizing the social hour and banquet, as well as to the many volunteers whose dedication and hospitality made the celebration such a memorable success.

During the banquet program, Episcopal Gramatas were presented to several faithful stewards of the parish in recognition of their years of devoted service:

• The Mike and Dona Pestorich Family and the John and Charlene Pestorich Family, descendants of one of the founding families of St. Peter’s, for faithfully continuing the legacy of their parents and grandparents through their stewardship, labor, and generous support of the parish.
• Reader Jonathan Hart, for his many years of dedicated service in overseeing the care, maintenance, and well-being of the parish facilities.
• Djakonica Peggy Matthews, in recognition of thirty-five years of faithful service as Choir Director.
• Timothy and Nancy Penny, this year’s Petrovdan Kumovi and members of one of the founding parish families, for their enduring commitment, labor, and generous support of the parish.
• Vera Naden, who, together with her late husband Bob, worked tirelessly for the parish and the Circle of Sisters over many decades. Petrovdan also marked Vera’s 95th birthday, and she was recognized as the oldest active member of the parish.
• Shirley Thomas, for her many years of faithful service as Parish Treasurer and member of the Parish Council.

The program concluded with the presentation of the St. Peter Youth Scholarship Awards to graduating high school seniors continuing their education. This year’s recipients were Caleb Alsobrook, son of Reader Joseph and Katherine Alsobrook, and Joseph Hart, son of Reader Jonathan and Deborah Hart. Caleb will attend California State University, Fresno, where he plans to pursue a degree in medicine. Joseph will attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, majoring in engineering. Each recipient received a scholarship of $1,500.

As the parish concluded this joyful celebration of its heavenly patron and its 75th Anniversary, the faithful offered heartfelt thanksgiving to Almighty God for the countless blessings bestowed upon St. Peter the Apostle Church throughout the past three-quarters of a century. Remembering with gratitude the sacrifices, faith, and vision of the founders and all those who have gone before us, the parish now looks forward with renewed hope and commitment to continuing its sacred mission of proclaiming the Gospel, preserving the Orthodox Faith, and serving future generations. Through the prayers of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, may the Lord grant His abundant blessings upon this parish for many years to come. Na Mnogaja Ljeta!