On the 17th of November 2024, His Grace, Bishop Irinej was well pleased to visit the parish of St. Nicholas in Monroeville on the occasion of their 119th Anniversary. His Grace’s visit was not the only gift to the parish on today’s day but also it was the ordination of theologian George Popovich to the Holy Diaconate. Concelebrating at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was Presbyter Stefan Djoric, assisted by Deacons Daniel August and Mark Matijevich. 

Upon being asked by His Grace what he sought from his hands by approaching the Holy Altar Subdeacon George Popovich recalled many moments that shaped his life as well as many individuals who brought him to the point where he was today, including his parents who are not present within the Church militant but are in the Kingdom of Heaven in the Church triumphant. He also expressed his love and gratitude towards his wife Iris, who lovingly and prayerfully participated in the service. Subdeacon George thanked His Grace above all for offering him the opportunity to serve the Lord under his omophorion and spiritual guidance. 

After a very thought provoking sermon His Grace, Bishop Irinej, invited the newly set apart Subdeacon to enter through the Royal Gates into the altar and into the joy of serving His Lord to fulfill the calling given to him by the Lord. Previously, however, His Grace wonderfully explained what the service to the people of God in his Church entails and His Grace not only addressed this in his short exhortation given to the candidate, but also in his inspired sermon. 

The Sermon given by His Grace after the Gospel tied together both the ordination as well as the Gospel reading about the Parable of the Sower. His Grace explained that the Word of God, as the seed, is given to us, however, in order to develop it further, we ought to have the fertile soil of our heart which is, humility. Without humility, no service to the Church is possible nor to God’s people.

Thus, Subdeacon George was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Bishop Irinej with the full participation of the clergy and faithful, who filled the church, which reverberated with the enthusiastic and heartfelt exclamations of AXIOS! DOSTOJAN! HE IS WORTHY! In like manner, the St. Nicholas Church Choir resplendently rendered melodious responses to the Divine Liturgy and the Rite of Ordination which elevated those present, in the words of St. John Chrysostom, from the sensory to the sublime!

After the Divine Liturgy was finished, Fr. Stefan Djoric, the parish priest, invited everyone to go to the Church Hall for the anniversary brunch and a short performance by St. Nicholas Tamburitzans in honor of the anniversary and His Grace’s coming. After a wonderful performance by the Tamburitzans of St. Nicholas, people spent time gathered around their Bishop and Father and gave thanks to God for every blessing they received on that day.