Hierarchical Liturgy in San Diego, California
August 23, 2020 – The faithful of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church of San Diego participated in the Hierarchical Liturgy served by His Grace Bishop Maxim, Protopresbyter Bratso Krsic, and protodeacon Paul Germain, on the Lord’s day and feast day of St. Lawrence, Archdeacon and Martyr, on August 23rd.
At the beginning of the Liturgy, His Grace tonsured to the rank of readers, Constantine Criss Dizick. The Liturgy was served in the outdoor chapel set up behind the social hall, following the guidelines of the local health officials.
The Gospel assigned for the day had the theme of forgiveness (St. Matthew 18:23-35); forgiveness is the remedy to negative thinking. It is a prelude to our entering into communion with God and each other. It is also an act of giving of ourselves, as the word itself points out. Furthermore, His Grace reminded the faithful that the highest calling of human beings is the worship of the Holy Trinity and our participation in the Eucharist. His words served as encouragement and strength to the faithful amid COVID-19, coping with all the ambiguities that the pandemic has brought.
Following the Liturgy, His Grace had lunch with the clergy and several parish lay leaders. The fellowship and Archpastoral care of Bishop Maxim for the faithful of his diocese, combined with prayer for the sick and those ministering to them, was expressed as was his concern for a quick end to the pandemic and all those affected by recent fires in California.
