News and Events - September 2011
SERBIAN PARISH IN IRVINE CELEBRATES CHURCH SLAVA
Irvine, CA - His Grace, Bishop Maxim, Fr Michael Lafoon (Antiochian jurisdiction), Fr. Stevan Kovacevic, Hieromonk Fr. Jovan Babic, Deacon Thomas, and Fr. Blasko Paraklis, the hosting priest, together with the parishioners of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos Church in Irvine, California, celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos on Sunday, September 25th.
Although this holy day is celebrated every year, this year it had a special significance in that the church also consecrated its newly-acquired iconastis that was donated by a parishioner The iconastis woodwork was constructed and beautifully carved in Serbia from solid light oak. It is decorated with eight full-length, life-size icons of Jesus, Christ, Most Holy Theotokos and saints, painted on gold-plated panels, that were also done in Serbia by the renowned iconographer, Miloje Milinkovic This magnificent work of art was consecrated in a blessing ceremony by His Grace, Bishop Maxim. A bishop’s throne and a chantor’s stand also carved in light oak to match the iconastis, complete a trilogy of artistic additions to the church that has transformed the church into a truly Orthodox place of worship to glorify God , the Most Holy Theotokos and all the Saints. The church choir, directed by Gorjana Zekic, made the divine liturgy a glorious celebration for this slava. The Divine liturgy service was followed by a banquet in the church hall that was filled to capacity by the parishioners and guests.