On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the faithful of St George Serbian Orthodox Church in North Canton, Ohio, were blessed with a hierarchical visitation from His Grace, Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, who presided over the celebration of the Feast of the Elevation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross.

The service began in solemn beauty, as the faithful gathered around the central symbol of the feast: the Holy Cross, adorned with fragrant basil and placed before the faithful for veneration. The cross used in this year’s celebration carried deep meaning for the parish community, as it once belonged to their beloved former pastor, the late Fr Slobodan Zivodinovich, of blessed memory. Its presence served as a reminder of continuity in faith and the bond between past and present generations who labor together in Christ's Holy Church.

In his homily, His Grace Bishop Irinej shared with the faithful the story of the finding of the True Cross by St Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, and the miracle of its elevation for the people of Jerusalem to behold and venerate. He noted the centuries-old tradition of surrounding the Cross with basil, a plant associated with the feast from ancient times having been found growing at the site of the Holy Cross.

The day was marked by a special joy for the St George community: the ordination of Reader Brandon Parsons to the Holy Diaconate. Surrounded by his family and parishioners, Brandon humbly received the laying-on of hands from Bishop Irinej, as the faithful proclaimed the age-old acclamation, “Axios!”, "Dostojan” or “He is Worthy!”  During the service, Dn Brandon expressed gratitude to the Lord for guiding him into the True Church, along with his family, so many years ago. His acceptance homily can be found here.

Deacon Brandon’s journey to this moment was marked by study and service. In the previous year, he successfully completed an educator course at St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, equipping him for a new outreach at his home parish. This fall, he will begin teaching a year-long program at St George entitled “Discover Orthodoxy”, designed to introduce seekers to the life of the Church and to strengthen the faith of those already within her embrace. His ministry will stand as a bridge, helping others find their way to Christ and His Holy Church.

The day’s service was enriched by the presence of numerous clergy. Concelebrating with His Grace Bishop Irinej were: Protopresbyter Milan Pajich, Dean of the Cleveland Deanery and Parish Priest of Holy Archangel Michael in Akron; Protopresbyter Aleksa Pavichevich, host Parish Priest; Protosingelos  Nektarije (Tesanovic) of St George Serbian Orthodox Church in Lorain; Protopresbyter Michael Corbin, of St George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Canton; Hieromonk Sava (Griscom) from New Marcha Monastery; and Presbyter-Economos Mark Resanovich, attached priest at St George  Church in North Canton.

Also serving were Deacon Milan Damljanovic and Deacon Michael Pancoe, along with Readers John Buffalini and Maxwell Sherer assisting.

Faithful from the area, as well as from throughout the Cleveland Deanery of the Serbian Orthodox Church, were in attendance at this joyous event. Their presence, and that of the concelebrating clergy, bore visible witness to the unity of the Orthodox Church across jurisdictions and parishes, gathering as one family around the Cross of Christ.

For the parish of St George, the visit of Bishop Irinej and the ordination of a new deacon marked an important milestone in its ongoing life and ministry. The presence of the cross of Fr Slobodan Zivodinovich brought the memory of a beloved pastor into the present celebration, reminding the faithful of the unbroken chain of shepherds who serve the flock of Christ. The ordination of Deacon Brandon offered a glimpse of the future, as he begins his ministry of teaching and service for the salvation of souls in North Canton.

The day closed with a festive meal in the parish hall, where faithful and clergy alike rejoiced together, giving thanks to God for His many blessings.