Episcopal Visit – Sunday of the Holy and Life-Giving Cross in Denver, Colorado
His Grace Bishop Maxim visited the faithful communities in the Colorado Springs and Denver area. On a cold morning of March 18th, His Grace arrived at Colorado Springs OCA Church of Holy Theophany where he was greeted by children, people, and Fr. Radovan Petrovic. Divine Liturgy was served by His Grace with the assistance from Fr. Radovan. After the Gospel reading, His Grace reiterated the importance of following Christ, saying that Our Lord and Savior is a physician of soul and body, He came to this world to save sinners. During the Liturgy many faithful received Holy Mysteries from the common cup. Following Liturgy, lunch was served. Fr. Radovan, who administers and serves the small community of Col. Springs, offered words of welcome to His Grace Bishop Maxim, while also sharing his gratitude to Fr. Anthony Karbo, the rector of Holy Theophany Church, for his continued support for the Serbian community in Col. Springs. As time for evening prayer approached, people began to gather at the St. John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church in Lakewood for vesperal service and to welcome their spiritual father Bp. Maxim. At the end of the vespers, the Holy and Life-Giving Cross of Our Lord was placed in the middle of the church for 
veneration. Bishop Maxim reminded all that we are in the middle of the fast and that the Cross is being presented to us so that we may draw needed energy to continue our Lenten journey. Dinner followed the vespers service.
On the following Sunday – The Sunday of The Holy and Life-Giving Cross – His Grace arrived at the Church filled with people and children. Our youngest greeted His Grace with a loud shout of “good morning Vladiko.” Festive Divine Liturgy began with everybody singing and praying in one accord with His Grace. Bishop Maxim greeted everybody and spoke about the Gospel reading that reminds us all about the Cross. The Cross is an inspiration and power for those who believe in it. The Cross is here to remind all that Christ embraced the crucifixion voluntarily, He became one with the Cross. There is a special place for the Cross in the Kingdom of Heaven and the Cross has a special place in our lives as well. Christ took up His cross voluntarily and we should without complaint embrace our crosses as well. Following the Liturgy, a meal was served in the Church hall where the faithful people joined His Grace and shared their joy about the fact that He was with us. At the conclusion of lunch, the President of the Parish Council and Fr. Radovan presented donations to His Grace made to the Western American Diocese and St. Sava camp.
