The St. Sebastian Mission Parish in Carson City, NV, was overjoyed to welcome and host His Grace, Bishop Maxim, Saturday and Sunday July 27-28, 2024. We felt especially honored because it was on the Sunday in late July that commemorates the Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils, and that observance in 2024 marked the eighteenth anniversary of Bishop Maxim’s enthronement as Bishop of the Diocese of Western America. On Saturday evening, His Grace gave the blessing from the throne for V. Rev. Norman Kosanovich and Protodeacon Dragan Stojanovich to serve Vespers, then afterward greeted not only St. Sebastian parishioners but first-time visitor/inquirers to the church as well. On Sunday morning, Bishop Maxim vested during Matins, celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Fr. Norman and Protodeacon Dragan, and preached on the Gospel reading concerning the two demon-possessed men in the country of the Gergesenes. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, His Grace congratulated the parish on their growth and the prayerful atmosphere that has been established, and Fr. Norman replied that their success as the flock comes from the example set these eighteen years by the Bishop, the spiritual shepherd. A festive luncheon was served and at each place setting there was a copy of Bishop Maxim’s address to the faithful upon his enthronement on July 30, 2006. Later in the afternoon, he departed to Jackson to greet the children and staff of the final week of 2024 Summer Camp.

 

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Summer Camp Week Three Celebrates Bishop Maxim’s Anniversary

Bishop Maxim joined the staff and campers of Week Three for Sunday dinner and the group photo Monday morning, then departed for the monastic communities in Platina, CA. Upon his return Tuesday evening, July 30, he was greeted with a banner in the dining hall acknowledging his anniversary, and everyone singing “Many Years” to our beloved Bishop!