Summer Pascha
The Celebration of Parish Slava for St. John the Wonderworker Serbian Orthodox Church
Eugene, Oregon
Summer has arrived in Eugene, and with it comes the celebration of a second Pascha. Only the joy of Pascha can eclipse the joy of a parish Slava, where a community celebrates the heavenly glory of their own patron, their own personal intercessor. This blessing is confirmed and further accentuated when it is conjoined with a hierarchical visit.
This year the parish of St. John the Wonderworker was honored with this double blessing. The joy of Slava began on Friday evening with a full Vigil in honor of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco. The next morning July 1st, the excited expectations of the parish faithful were fulfilled with the arrival of His Grace, Vladyka Maxim, who was accompanied by Father Jovan Katanic and the parish president of St. Stephen’s in Portland. The parish clergy Father John and Protodeacon Stephen, and all faithful were also joined by Archpriest James Baglien from the nearby ROCOR parish of St. Martin’s. Accompanying Father James were a Subdeacon and pair of Readers, along with many pious parishioners who came to share in the joy of the Slava.
After being greeted by the clergy, the faithful and especially the children holding flowers, His Grace processed under the bell tower and into the Church. There, after vesting, the Divine and Holy Liturgy commenced. After the reading of the Gospel, the pericope of which reflected upon Christ as the good shepherd, Vladyka preached about the holiness and sanctity of the Church, which is revealed in the Saints, St. John being an especially powerful example. His Grace commented that Christ calls His own sheep by name, that God indeed knows our names, and this life is our opportunity to be known by the Great Shepherd, and also by the shepherds that He has appointed after Him. Bishop Maxim continued to talk about true holiness. His Graced noted that real sanctity is found in those who, being humble, do not consider themselves to be righteous. He related the example of St. Anthony, who considered that all other men would be saved, yet he alone would be lost. Vladyka spoke about St. John, who despite being a great Saint, was not well regarded during his own lifetime, enduring the pain of slanders and evil rumors. This agony the Saint overcame not with vengeance or harshness, but with extreme humility. His Grace encouraged all present to humbly look at their neighbors as Saints, while regarding themselves with humility, thus seeking God’s Grace.
The Divine Liturgy ended with a special joy. The Bishop led his people in the blessing and breaking of the Slava Kolac, offered to the glory of God and Saint John. After this beautiful moment, Vladyka Maxim graciously honored the parish rector Father John Suvak with a special Epitrachelion blessed on the Holy Relics of St. Nektarios of Pentapolis. Father John offered his thanks, and expressed his joy at His Grace’s visit, quoting St. Ignatius of Antioch to the effect that where the clergy and the people are gathered around the Bishop, there is the Church. This day was truly like a second Pascha–with the coming of the Hierarch, the fullness of both grace and joy abounded.
This beautiful day ended with a beautiful meal held in the backyard of the parish, where under the shade and in the coolness of a calming breeze, the faithful shared the joy of the Slava with each other in fellowship over a festive repast. A long line of faithful streamed up to receive His Grace’s blessing, and as always, a rain of sweets emanating from the Bishop’s table rained down upon the heads of the children, much to their delight. As the afternoon wore on, the people bid loving farewell to their Bishop and Father Jovan, who departed with the promise that Father John and Protodeacon Stephen would join them for the Sunday Liturgy in Portland, another day and another feast.
