San Gabriel, California
Sunday, March 24, 2024

The celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy at Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles was a vibrant and memorable feast this year. More than 200 people, including many children, gathered to participate in the divine service and honor the rich tradition of icon veneration. The feast and liturgical gathering served as a reminder of the importance of icons in the Orthodox faith and their role in connecting believers with the divine.

His Grace Bishop Maxim led the faithful in the Divine Mystagogy, and offered his deep spiritual insights in the awakening homily he delivered following the reading of the Gospel lesson.

Following the Divine Eucharist, the highlight of the celebration was the procession with icons, led by the children. As the service concluded, the children, holding icons with great care and devotion, led the congregation in a solemn procession. This symbolic act represents the victory of Orthodoxy and the restoration of the veneration of icons. It is a powerful visual representation of the faith and unity of the Orthodox community in Los Angeles.

Throughout the liturgical gathering, prayers were offered, hymns were sung, and the faithful were reminded of the significance of icons in their spiritual journey. Icons are not seen as mere works of art but as windows into the divine realm, allowing believers to encounter and connect with the saints and the presence of God. The Sunday of Orthodoxy serves as a reminder of the power and importance of these sacred images in the Orthodox faith.

The celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy in the Serbian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles this year was a time of deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and communal unity. It brought together the faithful, young and old, to commemorate the restoration of icons and reaffirm their commitment to the Orthodox tradition.

Following the liturgy, the agape meal, lovingly prepared by the local Circle of Serbian Sisters, was served for everyone’s enjoyment.

In conclusion, this year’s celebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy was indeed a significant and joyous occasion. With Bishop Maxim presiding over the liturgical gathering, the concelebration of Fr. Predrag Bojovic, and the participation of more than 200 people and children, this event served as a testament to the enduring faith and unity of the Orthodox community. Through prayers, hymns, and the procession with icons, the faithful were mystically number to those celebrating the triumph of Orthodoxy since 843, and reminded of the powerful role of icons in their spiritual journey.

Very Rev. Predrag Bojovic
Protopresbyter-stavrophor, Rector