St. George holds patronal feast
St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels held its patronal feast celebration last Sunday with Bishop Dr. Mitrophan, hierarch of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, officiating at the Holy Divine Liturgy. May 12 was the Sunday of St. Thomas. Prior to the start of the Holy Liturgy, Bishop Mitrophan did the Blessing of the Renovation of the Church. New hardwood flooring was placed in the altar and in other areas of the church. The complete remaining hardwood flooring was newly refinished.
The St. George Choir, directed by Sonia Janson, sang at the Divine Liturgy and at the beginning of the festal banquet that followed. Honored kuma for the celebration was Mildred “Mim’ Belch, who participates in church services on a daily basis.
She is an active worker with the St. George Kolo-Circle of Serbian Sisters and regularly attends adult Christian education classes at St. George Church.
Executive board president Nick Yackovich served as master of ceremonies at the festal banquet. Bishop Mitrophan also spoke during the banquet on the importance of mothers in the raising of children.
Bishop Mitrophan announced the elevation of Presbyter Rodney Torbic to the rank of Protopresbyter; this act having taken place at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy a the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Canton, Ohio, on Bright Thursday, May 9, at the time of the semi-annual clergy seminar of the Eastern American Diocese.
Sonia Janson, president of the St. George Choir and Circle of Serbian Sisters, extended words of congratulations and festal greetings. The festal message of Mildred Bezjak, church school coordinator, was conveyed to the many people in attendance.
The renovation of the floors in St. George Church was a major undertaking financed by the Circle of Serbian Sisters.
Officials said, “The contributions of the Sisters on this project and throughout the years are deserving of the greatest appreciation and acknowledgement. The respect and attention the Sisters give to the church liturgical calendar in scheduling their workdays is worthy of note.’
The Rev. Aleksandar Tandilashvili and Matuska Marina with their children from St. Mary Orthodox Church in Masontown were present for the banquet.
The Rev. Rodney Torbic is pastor.