Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos

On October 1, St. Mary’s celebrated the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God with Divine Liturgy. This feast commemorates the miraculous intercession of the Virgin Mary during the pagan Rus attack on Constantinople in the 860s AD. The Blessed Mother has interceded for Christians in battle many times before and since then. As Orthodox Christians, we often have recourse to the Theotokos in our battles against foes of both flesh and spirit, remembering what Christ’s word on the cross: “Behold your mother!” (John 19:27).

Saint Mary’s Celebrates the Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

We celebrated Great Vespers with Litiya, with placing the Plaschanitza of the Virgin Mary onto the tomb by Father Vjekoslav Jovicic.

Divine Liturgy of the Assumption was served by Father Vjekoslav and flowers were blessed in commemoration of the Feast Day. A breakfast was served after Liturgy and enjoyed by the faithful.

Feast of St. John of San Francisco and Parish Luncheon

On July 2, our parish celebrated the Feast of St. John Maximovitch of Shanghai and San Francisco with Divine Liturgy. Father Timothy Hojnicki, our previous administrator, introduced the parish to our new administrator, Fr. Vjekoslav Jovičić and his family. After the liturgy, we had our July parish luncheon of delicious grill-cooked hamburgers, hot dogs, and homemade desserts.

Thanks as usual to Dr. Paul Thomas for the wonderful pictures!