With God’s help, we are nearing the end of our preparations for the Centennial Celebration of the founding of the first Diocese in America and Canada of the Serbian Orthodox Church. From this singular Diocese came its successor Dioceses: Eastern America, Midwestern America, Western America and Canada. Therefore, all of us – without exception – owe a great historical debt of gratitude to the Holy Bishop Nicholai of Zhicha and Ochrid – our founder and our heavenly patron!
We have been requested to extend the deadline and make more reservations available. The final day for reservations is Thursday, November 4, 2021, at 11:30 PM. Now, we invite you to reserve those requested places and fill our venue, the magnificent Omni William Penn Pittsburgh, to capacity!
Our Saturday Memorial Liturgy, on November 6, 2021, which will be celebrated at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, will be a moving tribute to our first Bishop of Eastern America (then, and Canada), +Stefan, in the very church in which he was consecrated, followed by a Memorial Service at his grave. May his Memory be eternal!
On Sunday, November 7, 2021, we will have hierarchs from various jurisdictions concelebrating at the Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Liturgy in the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Pittsburgh, joined by guest clergy and the clergy of our God-protected Diocese, gloriously robed in their new Diocesan vestments!
Responses will be magnificently rendered at both Liturgies by our recently formed Deanery Choirs under the capable direction of the host directors from St. Elijah Church and Holy Trinity Cathedral, respectively.
In addition to all, we have an impressive list of talented Serbian performers, who will provide dignified and sublime entertainment. Our invited guests at the Grand Banquet and Gala Program at the Omni William Penn Pittsburgh will include a distinguished gathering of church dignitaries, representatives of the diplomatic corps, civic leaders and others.
We greatly look forward to being with all of you to mark this, our 100th Anniversary celebration, together as a Diocesan Family and friends!
The Centennial Celebration Committee
Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America
