Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in San Diego, California
His Grace Bishop Maxim presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 18, 2020, on the feast day of the Holy Martyr, Charitina and St. Dionisius of Alexandria, in the church of St. George the Great-Martyr. Protopresbyter Bratislav Bratso Krsic and Protodeacon Paul Germain concelebrated in the presence and the participation of the parish’s readers and a greater number of parishioners.
Following the reading of the Gospel according to Saint Luke 6:31-36, His Grace Maxim gave a homily. In this particular pericope, the Lord is asking us to do good beyond a reciprocal rationale – do good out of self-sacrificial love. The Lord is calling upon us to love even our enemies. To love those who hate and persecute us, is an ascetic struggle which is possible with the Lord, whose love transforms the world and every person who comes to Him with a pure desire to enter into communion with the Lord. There is no person who does not wish to be loved, to be loved by God, but as it were, we oftentimes, do not experience that love because of our sins (those factors in life that separate us from God; acts by which we miss the mark). We should all strive to remove all that which places us further away from the Lord and therefore each other. This particular Gospel pericope calls upon us to enter together into the fullness of a Christ-like and Christ-bearing life. This will enable us to understand that a person, who without any reservation and any condition loves is truly a pious person, that he lives a God-like life and is a free person that is on the path of salvation.
The agape—a communal meal—was served after the Hierarchical Liturgy in the patio area of the social hall where the faithful had an opportunity to continue the conversation with His Grace and each other. The sunny atmosphere enabled everyone to enjoy extra time this beautiful afternoon of the Lord’s day. The clergy and parishioners expressed their gratitude to Bishop Maxim for his continued Archpastoral care during Covid-19.
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