Page 25 - Western Diocese Annual 2023

our Lord Jesus Christ, and it was developed by Saint Sava in the 13th century to help teach the Serbian people and firmly establish the bloodless sacrifice of the Church.
Our celebration included Very Reverend Blasko Paraklis from Irvine, CA, and Deacon Dragan Stoja- novich and wife Vicky from Jackson, CA, as well as faithful from throughout the Western Diocese and guests of several of our parishioners, and we were honored with their presence! A brief program in- cluded Nina Adams, Zoe Yates, and Reader Patrick Wilkes singing traditional spirituals, as well as Po- padija Nina Barfield reading an excerpt on the life of Saint Sebastian written by Fr. Seraphim Rose.
She then shared with everyone a journal belong- ing to Fr. James that contained only one entry: his thoughts on July 10, 2019, days after the Mission se- cured “a semi-permanent place to call our home” (the current location). Popadija Nina presented the journal to Fr. Norman in order to continue the hand- written record of the first Serbian Orthodox Church parish community in America named after Saint Se- bastian.
Thanks go out to all those who offered their time, talents, and treasures to make this such a memorable day!
2023 DIOCESAN ANNUAL
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