Diocesan Days 2023 “Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven”
Day One – With the blessings of His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America, this year’s Diocesan Day gathering began on Friday, September 1, 2023 in Alhambra, California. The traditional luncheon was served for all clergy and parish delegates soon upon their arrival. A meeting of the diocesan clergy was held immediately afterwards.
In his opening remarks, His Grace noted that the topic of this year’s clergy discussion will be rather broad, focusing on that which concerns not only the clergy but also all the faithful: the wellbeing of the parish and the priest’s role in maintaining it. The church exists in an ever-changing world and with each change come new challenges and temptations which, at times, require us to defend ourselves. But, as His Grace noted, the primary goal of the Church is not to defend itself, to prove itself in the eyes of the world. Rather, the Church will always be as Christ was, inasmuch as she is faithful to Him, it will be that sign which will be spoken against (Luke 2:34-35). Yet none of these challenges and temptations will ever be able to prevent us from receiving one another, loving one another and helping one another.
Following the bishop’s opening remarks Fr. Nikola Ceko, the Chancellor and Cathedral Dean, was called upon to head this discusion. Fr. Ceko stated that as clergy we are all concerned with the wellbeing of the parish and are called to be guardians of those unchanging elements in the life of the church. However, there are many things in this world we live in that are changing. The response to those changes that the priest and parish leaders make, in the context and the environment that we live, offer us a new perspective and introduce a new ministry for the priest who, in many cases, might be a target from an ever-changing environment. But the point is, we don’t have to provide ammunition for any attacks but rather, as His Grace noted that in receiving one another and loving one another, we, as clergy do it with dignity and sincerity, always following the path of the gospel.
A conversation ensued in which both clergy and lay leaders shared some of their own concerns, as well as solutions that have helped them in their parishes. It was obvious that in the vast territory of the Western American Diocese the challenges and problems vary from one parish community to another.
Members of the Diocesan Council held their meeting afterward. During the meeting Nemanja Selezan met with the remaining clergy and laity to discuss the Clergy Group Benefit package offered by the Diocese which has already been in place for two years. Nemanja opened the floor for any questions the clergy might have.
The evening Vesper service was served by Rev. Hieromonk Vasilije Gavrilovic at the Saint Steven’s Cathedral Church. Dinner and fellowship followed, after which clergy slowly made their way to their hotels after a long day of traveling and meetings in preparation for the following day’s Divine Liturgy and annual assembly.
Day Two – The Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy marked the beginning of the second day of the Diocesan Days celebration. His Grace tonsured to the order of Reader John Henderson and Michael Cathey both from the St. Herman of Alaska Mission Parish in Kalispell. At the Little Entrance His Grace elevated Deacon David John-Williams to a Protodeacon.
In his opening remarks of the Annual Diocesan Assembly His Grace expressed his gratitude to all the clergy and deacons, and the leaders of the local parishes, noting that each parish has a very spiritual leadership expressed in the priest but also the parish board. He also expressed his gratitude to the members of the Diocesan Council who faithfully serve this important body, a small synod within the diocese, where meetings are held regularly. Also, there are many diocesan administrative board members who play a vital role in the life of the diocese, whom His Grace recognized 
and expressed his utmost gratitude. The Diocese is a body of Christians united in their eucharistic celebration and faith in Christ, the bishop continued. Given that we are in a huge territory, from Anchorage to Mexico City and Colorado Springs to Hawaii, which include many exotic places but also parishes that are close and connected to each other, like the communities in Southern California. You can imagine the challenge this can be for the bishop who is called to oversee and help the communities live a life that the Church provides us with. Despite all these differences there is a unity in mind and spirit which is certainly felt during these days of our Diocesan Days gathering. It is important, the bishop added, for us to keep and live in this spirit, the spirit of Truth, the spirit of Peace and of Wisdom.
During the assembly the administrative, financial and other pressing issues related to the Diocese were addressed and discussed. Among the reports submitted to the Diocese were from, of course, the parish reports submitted by each priest. It was the task of Rev. Hieromonk Vasilije Gavrilovic to review the reports and give a summary. He noted that it was a joy reading the reports in which many parishes were experiencing a revival after the Covid pandemic, indicating that liturgical attendance has increased in most of the parishes. There are also construction developments in parishes including St. Petka in San Marcos, which is celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2023; St. Nikola’s Church in Pheonix plans a demolition of one of their houses in poor condition; St. Peter Church in Fresno and St. Archangel Michael in Saratoga both have plans to beautify their churches with frescoes. The Fair Oaks parish is planning to renovate their hall. St. Herman in Kalispell is planning to acquire a new ground for their temple; St. Sava in Jackson has plans to beautify the interior of their church and Holy Trinity in Butte, Montana has numerous plans including remolding their offices and a new fenced playground.
During the banquet special guest, Fr. Josiah Trenham, offered a keynote address on this year’s Diocesan Days theme: “Seek First the Kingdom of God”. These words, Fr. Josiah said, were spoken by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In everything we do we are called to seek God’s kingdom and bring to wholeness our way of life, as communal people, as children of our Heavenly Father who is interested in every aspect of our life. In light of this theme, Fr. Josiah focused on church growth and the expansion of the Kingdom of God on earth. When Christ had accomplished His work to save us and heal our humanity, to conquer death and lay low the devil, to cover over our sins, He then told His Disciples that He was going to leave them which both shocked and grieved them. But Christ completely reversed it and said you shouldn’t be sad but you should rejoice for I am returning to My Father and I’m going to prepare a place for you in My Father’s house where there are many mansions, so that where I am you also might be. Then the Lord told them that they were going to stand in His place and be empowered by another Comforter, the Holy Spirit, and that Spirit would inspire them to continue in the work which He began. Moreover, they will take His message throughout the whole world and not only continue His work but do “even greater things” (John 14:12). It is extremely humbling to think that the Lord trusts us so much that He would entrust His work of saving the world to us. That He would make us His representatives on the earth to carry His truth and His love to our neighbor. Every parish church, every diocese is a concrete expression of the work of Christ being done by his people in continuing the advancement of the Kingdom of God on the earth. This has always been God’s will, God wants to cover the whole earth which is the destiny of the human race, this is the destiny of God’s creation, to be saturated with the knowledge of God. God wants every man, woman, and child to be His and completely His. Christ wants us to share His relationship with His father, God has only one Son and that Son loves us so many that He is willing to share that relationship that He has with His father. Thus, in our baptism we are united with Christ and incorporated into the family of God and become children of God by grace. When Christ gave the great commission to go and baptize throughout the world, it was not intended simply for the clergy, but rather to be the task of all the people.
We are called to have this positive disposition for the Lord. To thirst for the Lord. When the Lord was on the cross, one of the things He said was „I thirst“ and these two words expressed the logic of what He had accomplished for mankind, why He came here, why He suffered humiliation, why He endured the cross –because he was thirsty for people: He wanted us. His love abides with us and all church leaders gathered here today have that same love for Him. 
Let’s have the same disposition towards all people, let’s have a thirst for all people and then the Kingdom of God will advance in the whole world.
During the program at the banquet Popadija Biljana Bojovic on cello and Mirjana Anastasijevic on piano performed a beautiful rendition of “Ajde Jano”.
At the conclusion of the program and the closing prayer this year’s Diocesan Days gathering came to an end.
Day Two – Saturday, September 2, 2023
Photo Credit: Larry Angier
