Administrator of Patriarchal Parishes in USA takes part in the canonization of Bishop Sebastian and the Reverend Mordarius
On September 5, 2015, the celebrations took place at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Los Angeles, the Western Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA, to canonize Bishop Sebastian and the Reverend Mordarius, the Serbian pastors who served in America in the early 20th century.
The celebrations were headed by His Holiness Irenaeus, Patriarch of Serbia, Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci. His Holiness was assisted by a great assembly of hierarchs of various Orthodox jurisdictions in the USA.
Before the service, an Act of the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church on the canonization of Bishop Sebastian and the Reverend Mordarius was read out to be followed by the taking out of their icon from the sanctuary, accompanied by the singing of a troparion to the newly-glorified saints.
After the service, His Holiness Irenaeus addressed the numerous worshippers, speaking about the spiritual feat performed by the new saints of the Serbian Church and stressing their spiritual ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.
After that, a grand reception took place at the diocesan center in honour of Patriarch Irenaeus. It was attended by his concelebrants, the clergy and parishioners. During the reception, speeches were made by representatives of Local Sister Churches. Bishop Ioann of Naro-Fominsk, administrator of the Patriarchate Parishes in the USA, greeted Patriarch Irenaeus on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church, the website of the Russian Orthodox Church in the USA reports.
DECR Communication Service