On Saturday, January 27, 2024 His Grace Bishop of Western America Maxim made an archpastoral visit to St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ where he presided at Holy Hierarchical Liturgy for the Feast of St Sava, First Archbishop of Serbia, patron saint not just of the local parish but of the entire Serbian Orthodox Church. Concelebrating clergy with His Grace were protopresbyter-stavrophor Dragomir Tuba, protopresbyter Stanislav Duric, presbyter Milan Unkovic and newly ordained deacon Nemanja Plavsic along with the participation of many altar servers. A large number of faithful Orthodox people joined in singing responses with the local “Stevan Hristic” Choir.

All the present faithful rejoiced when His Grace ordained Nemanja Plavsic to the rank of deacon, emphatically singing with the concelebrating clergy “Worthy.”  Nemanja was born on April 29, 1996 in Prijedor, Republica Srpska to Milan and Dragica Plavsic. He has one older sister Aleksandra Tubic who presently lives in Toronto, Canada with her family. After completion of elementary school in Prijedor, Nemanja began his theology education at Holy Three Hierarchs Seminary at Monastery Krka. He continued his studies at St Sava School of Theology in Libertyville, IL which he successfully completed in 2020. During his studies at St Sava Monastery in Libertyville, IL Nemanja often visited St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Phoenix to assist Fr. Stanislav on many great Christ’s Holidays. Last year Nemanja was joined in the Holy Mystery of Marriage with Sanja Spiric from Phoenix, AZ. His Grace addressed the newly ordained Deacon with the words: “May the Lord always be with you and protect you dear deacon  Nemanja, and may you always offer your service concelebrating in the likeness of the holy angels who also serve Christ and the mystery of salvation in Christ”.

His Grace Bishop Maxim also tonsured Dusan Djordjev to a rank of a reader. Dusan was born on Christmas Eve January 6, 1996 in Pancevo, Serbia. He was lovingly raised by parents Nikola and Biljana and grandmother Ruzica. From his youth he loved to serve in the Holy Altar and always wished to study Theology. Dusan as a child excelled as an athlete, especially in soccer, and was soon discovered by Crvena Zvezda, Serbia’s famous soccer club, playing the position of goalie. Dusan was so successful that he was also selected to be a goalie for the Serbia Youth National Team. Besides finishing Sports High School, he obtained a university degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Finance. Two years ago Dusan moved to Phoenix with his wife Vanja and their two sons Mihajlo and Vasilije, accepting a coaching position at the Phoenix Rising Professional Soccer Club. Right now, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Maxim, Dusan is preparing himself for an even higher service in the Church by studying under the supervision of Fr Dragomir.

Immediately following the Prayer behind the Ambon was read, His Grace surprised long time outstanding local parish member Donna Vudrag by bestowing upon her the Order of St Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson. Congratulating Donna, His Grace Bishop Maxim thanked her for exemplary and extraordinary work that surpasses her local parish expressing that her love of church has become well known to all faithful throughout the Western Diocese. Donna was born in Detroit, MI but soon moved to Phoenix with her family. She was basically raised at St Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in

Phoenix with her parents being one of the few St Sava founding families. Donna’s childhood memories were of her sitting on the kitchen chair at the Church Social hall observing her family members prepare a luncheon meal at the Church for various occasions. Having that great example it is no wonder that Donna dedicated a great portion of her life in service to the Church. Besides being an active member of the Church and the “Stevan Hristic” Choir she served in various capacities on the St Sava Executive Board even as a past Executive Board President. She also is currently serving her second term as a Diocesan Executive Board Member.

The joy of the blessed day continued with the procession around the Church and Blessing of Kolac and Koljivo at the entrance of the Church with many children joining His Grace, Slava honored domacini Milan and Danijela Kesic, in joyfuly turning the Kolac. The Slava Banquet was lovingly prepared by our Serbian Kolo Sisters led by their President Diana Bajich. The traditional Children’s St Sava program was held at the Social Hall prepared under the instruction of the Church School Superintendent Tanja Gudovich. His Grace gifted all the children with a beautiful St Sava icon and brojanice.

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