Pan-Orthodox Celebration the Commemoration of the 1,600th Anniversary of the Repose of St. John Chrysostom

December 3, 2007

Bishop Maxim (Serbian), and Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco during the Divine Liturgy in commemoration of the 1,600^th Anniversary of the Repose of St. John Chrysostom.

LOS ANGELES - The third meeting of the Orthodox Bishops in the West Coast was held on November 12 - 13, 2007 with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos (Greek), His Grace Bishop Joseph (Antiochian), His Grace Bishop Maxim (Serbian), and His Grace Bishop Benjamin (OCA) in attendance. Also participating in this meeting were the deans of the four Orthodox Cathedrals in the Los Angeles area: V. Rev. Great Economos Michel Najim (St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral), V. Rev. John Bakas (St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral), V. Rev. Michael Senyo (Holy Virgin Mary OCA Cathedral), V. Rev. Nikola Ceko (St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Cathedral), and Archdeacon George Shishim (Assistant to His Grace, Bishop Joseph).

The Hierarchs met the evening of November 12 and discussed their various common pastoral concerns. Among other discussion points was the decision to plan a Pan-Orthodox celebration for the Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 10, 2008, at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles.

On November 13, the Orthodox Hierarchs attended Orthros and the Divine Liturgy in commemoration of the 1,600^th Anniversary of the Repose of St. John Chrysostom.  Also in attendance was His Grace Bishop Ilia of Philomelion, from the Albanian Diocese in the United States. This service, held at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, drew over 500 faithful, including more than 40 priests, from all Orthodox jurisdictions. The celebrants at the Liturgy were the deans from the four Orthodox Cathedrals in the Los Angeles area, assisted by Deacon George Taweel and Deacon Paul Olson, both from St. Nicholas Antiochian Cathedral. An inspirational homily was delivered by His Grace, Bishop Maxim, where he offered reflections on the life and teachings of St. John Chrysostom. 

Following the Divine Liturgy, the clergy were invited to attend a luncheon hosted by the Ladies Philoptochos Society at St. Sophia Cathedral.  A Pan-Orthodox Symposium was held at which Very Reverend Josiah Trenham, pastor of St. Andrew Antiochian Church in Riverside, California, gave a presentation on the life of St. John Chrysostom, and its relevance for Christians of the 21^st century.

It was a very uplifting Pan-Orthodox gathering, and it was embraced with love and joy by all who participated.
 

The Orthodox Bishops gathered in the altar at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles for the commemoration of the 1,600^th Anniversary of the Repose of St. John Chrysostom. (L-R) His Grace Bishop Maxim (Serbian), His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos (Greek), His Grace Bishop Joseph (Antiochian), and His Grace Bishop Benjamin (OCA).