A Flock and its Shepherd in Eugene, Oregon
A flock without its shepherd is something incomplete—a body without its head or a heart without the fullness of its joy. Fortunately, the parish of St. John the Wonderworker knows of no such lack, as it was blessed on the occasion of its Slava to welcome His Grace Bishop Maxim. Saturday the 4th of July dawned forth to reveal the gladness of a nation celebrating its 250 year existence, and a humble parish in Eugene, Oregon, elated to be united with its shepherd. His Grace was conveyed to Eugene, by Father Jovan Katanic of St. Stephen’s in Portland and was greeted by the parish rector Father John Suvak serving with two deacons Father Deacon Stephen Bambakidis of St. George Antiochian in Portland, and Father Deacon Darko Hrle of St. Sava in Seattle. In addition to these two Deacons, the recently retired Protodeacon Stephen Dyer was also present. After greeting the parish’s children who swarmed him with flowers, the Bishop proceeded to the nave to vest for the Liturgy. His Grace welcomed the help of the children who held articles of his vestments for him as he vested.
The Gospel reading for the day reflected the Feast of St. John Maximovitch and referenced John chapter 10, where Christ proclaims Himself the door and the shepherd. His Grace took this opportunity to preach about the true meaning of being a shepherd. He said that the true meaning of this title of shepherd is underlined by Christ, when He says: “and I lay down my life for the sheep.” Christ is the good shepherd because He loves to the point of death and will sacrifice Himself for His sheep. Christ’s words reveal the very nature of God Himself. Bishop Maxim went on to say that the only a God Who would love us enough to sacrifice Himself for us is worthy of our worship. His Grace immediately applied the words of Christ to St. John of San Francisco, who incarnated these words in his own pastoral ministry of love. The heart of Orthodoxy is love, and love was the expression of St. John’s whole life.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, following the cutting of the Slava Kolac, the faithful processed from the Table of the Lord, to the table of fellowship to enjoy the agape meal outside in the shaded backyard of the parish. Here, no abatement of joy was known, as in addition to food, drink, and faithful company everyone was serenaded by the beautiful voices of children singing a Psalm and parishioners performing traditional folk music. It was the people’s joy to gift their shepherd a new staff, and with love many people streamed toward the high table to get the Bishop’s blessing. Then followed the final procession to the Bishop’s car to bid farewell to His Grace amidst the sound of bells.
