On August 8 and 9, His Grace our Bishop MAXIM visited the Parish of Saint Herman of Alaska in Kalispell MT to officiate at the Divine Services for our patronal feast, the Glorification of this first Orthodox Saint who shone forth in America.

His Grace arrived in Kalispell on Thursday, August 8 and presided over Great Vespers and the festive Liturgy for the Saint.

On Friday, August 9, just before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, Bishop MAXIM tonsured the Parish Council President Andrew Bratlien a Reader.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by a multitude of faithful along with visiting clergy from around Montana and beyond:

Fr Russell Radoicich of Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church, Butte MT who’s our own Dean of the Butte Deanery, Fr Gregory Horton and his Deacon Theophan of Holy Myyrh-bearing Women Antiochian Orthodox Church, Naples ID, Fr Lawrence Reinheimer of Saint Aidan Orthodox Church in America parish in Cranbrook BC, Fr Andrew Moore of the Holy Evangelist Mark Orthodox Church in America Mission in Great Falls MT, Fr John Suvak of Saint John the Wonderworker Serbian Orthodox Church in Eugene OR, and Rev. Deacon Ananias Sorem of the Romanian Episcopate of the Orthodox Church in America who is attached at Holy Trinity in Butte MT.

Many of the faithful in attendance, including those visiting from neighboring Orthodox parishes approached the three chalices and partook of the Divine Holy Gifts at the Eucharistic banquet!

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy and prior to the dismissal, the faithful along with His Grace and the reverend clergy processed around the Church and concluded at the front entrance of the Temple for the blessing of the Slava.

Immediately after the dismissal, Fr Panayiotis Tekosis, our parish priest, presented His Grace with a commemorative coin to mark the 10th year (2014-2024) since the official establishment of our community as a parish of the Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

A commemorative coin was also presented to our Dean, Fr Russell Radoicish who was instrumental in supporting the community since its inception and ministering to the faithful in Kalispell before a permanent priest was assigned.

The celebration continued afterwards with a festive dinner for all in attendance, with Church hymns sung by our youth singers and a selection of American folk songs sung by our talented parish members.

His Grace departed for Alaska early that evening, leaving us all here in Kalispell with beautiful memories of a great celebration, and looking forward to having our Hierarch lead us in worship at next year’s patronal feast; Eis Polla Eti Despota!