An Archpastoral visit to Oregon
On Saturday, July 2nd, the day of its Slava, the parish of St. John the Wonderworker joyfully opened its gates to receive its Archpastor, His Grace Bishop Maxim. The people of St. John’s parish rejoiced greatly to be once again gathered around their Bishop, an occasion that expresses both the fullness of the Church and also a tremendous comfort amidst the adversities of this past difficult year. A man’s happiness always increases when he finds others with whom to rejoice, and this beautiful day was no exception to this rule. The parishioners of St. John’s were blessed by the fraternal presence of Archpriest James Baglien of St. Martin’s Russian Orthodox Church, and they were further pleased to welcome Father Jovan Katanic, the new rector of their sister parish of St. Stephen’s in Portland.
The appointed Gospel reading for the Slava was the reading from John pertaining to Hierarchs, where our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of Himself as both the shepherd and the door. Following the reading, His Grace Bishop Maxim spoke eloquently about this pericope. His Grace emphasized that Christ being the One who took it upon Himself to actualize the will of the Father, is truly the one and only Door that leads to paradise, to Divine Communion. His Grace stated that Christ welcomingly opens Himself to us, but that repentance and forgiveness are prerequisites necessary for our entrance.
Following the cutting of the Slava Kolach and the dismissal of the Liturgy, His Grace expressed his love for the parish and his tremendous joy at being present again among his people. After these pastoral words, His Grace proceeded to greet all of the people and children, handing out Antidoron and candy. Everyone then proceeded to a festal meal held outside in the parish backyard, where the sweetness of fellowship was accentuated by food lovingly prepared, “and wine that maketh glad the heart of man.”
After the Agape Meal, His Grace returned to Portland, in the company of Father Jovan, and the following day, they were joined by the clergy of St. John’s: Father John Suvak and Protodeacon Stephen Dyer, who participated in Father Jovan’s first Liturgy at St. Stephen’s. The concelebration of this Liturgy marked a continuation of the joy which had begun the previous day. The joy of Sunday’s Liturgy was the joy of a new beginning and this was poetically supported by the Gospel reading, which recounted Christ calling His first four disciples into ministry. His Grace spoke of Christ’s invitation to the fishermen of Galilee, calling them to become Apostles, and His Graced connected this to the Liturgy itself, which is an invitation directly into the life of Christ.
The Liturgy ended with the Slava for the KSS of St. Stephen’s and His grace took this opportunity to introduce Father Jovan to the people. A sumptuous banquet then followed downstairs. In their hospitality, the parishioners of St. Stephen’s treated their Hierarch, their new pastor, and their guests to a generous feast of love, a fine ending to a new beginning.
