October 6 & 7, 2025
Anderson, California

His Grace began his visit staying with a parish family on Saturday night with a wonderful dinner and talk about many things, especially iconography and the message that icons convey which is often in contrast to other forms of art. However, some modern art, like cubism, uses forms which disobey expected lines of perspective to convey a message that is deeper than simply depicting reality as in a photograph.

Saint Andrew’s parish members spent part of the week erecting a large outdoor canopy to accommodate a larger than usual gathering. They also hand prepared stuffed grape leaves and baclava which were enjoyed by everyone present.

Sunday morning began with the arrival of His Grace where he was presented flowers and the clergy consisting of Fr George, Deacon Philip and newly ordained Deacon Ambrose from St Herman’s monastery greeted him along with over 80 people from the parish. Liturgy proceeded with wonderful singing from the choir which is “rebuilding” with new members learning how to sing the tones and even some Byzantine chant. His Grace patiently presided over the service and often gave revealing bits of theology to help the clergy better understand both the significance of the service as well as how to serve with “Dynamos!”

The liturgy concluded with His Grace leading the parish and especially the younger children in the celebration of the Slava service. This service is always a welcome conclusion to the patronal feast of St Andrew Fool-for-Christ. The Slava bread was then cut up and distributed to all the attendees during the meal which followed. Lamb, chicken, salad and wine were part of the festivities. After the meal, The choir presented a song composed by St Nicholai Velimirovic about the Second Coming of Christ with wonderful words of both admonition and joyous expectation. His Grace also sang a traditional folk song with our one Serbian member of our parish.

One of the highlights of our visit with His Grace was an opportunity for him to meet many of our active catechumens. For most of them, it was the first time attending a hierarchal liturgy and the first to meet our bishop. We hope that he enjoyed getting to know some of the many new faces in our parish.

At last we had to say goodbye as His Grace prepared to return to Los Angeles via Sacramento. We were very blessed to have this feast day with our bishop. And we are discussing how we might bring him again to us to possibly teach an iconography class or lead a discussion on faith. May God bless!