On Sunday, June 25, 2023, the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, His Grace Bishop Maxim concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with V. Rev. Nikola Ceko, Dean of the Saint Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Alhambra, California together with the faithful of the parish. His Grace Bishop Maxim provided pastoral guidance in his sermon, emphasizing how we must “Seek First the Kingdom of God” in these difficult and challenging times, providing encouragement for us to stay unified and on the path that leads us to eternal life in God’s glorious Kingdom.

Following the Divine Liturgy a special Banquet and Program awaited all who gathered for the days festivities, which included the Annual Commemoration of St. Lazar and all the Martyrs and New Martyrs of Kosovo and Metohije, and the Feast Day Celebration of Saint Anastasia, the Patron Saint of the Saint Steven’s Women’s Auxiliary, and the celebration and recognition of the progress and blessings of the Cathedral Endowment program.

The afternoon began with Slava service for the Feast of St. Anastasia, officiated by His Grace Bishop Maxim and accompanied by Fr. Nikola Ceko and all the ladies of the Women’s Auxiliary who participated in the blessing and turning of the Slava Kolach. A beautiful meal prepared by the Auxiliary was enjoyed by all and was followed by a brief program that touched on all three of the important events of the day.

Excerpt from the Cathedral’s event flyer conveying the importance of the days festivities:

The Martyrs always set their hope on the spiritual values of the heavenly kingdom. Their great sacrifice was for God, so that they might be partakers of the Glorious heavenly kingdom of Christ.

Saint Anastasia, a wonderful example of faith, service, and motherhood, is the patron saint of the Women’s Auxiliary. Through the prayers of of this glorious saint, may our own women’s auxiliary continue to be inspired by their example of faith and service.

Endowments honor the past and embrace the future here at Saint Stevens by enriching the lives of all of us in the spirit of our predecessors. They are established out of a sense of gratitude and in the knowledge that God will use these resources to build a living Church.

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