On Sunday, November 20th, 2022, the day when our Holy Church celebrates the memory of the Holy Martyr Hieron, with the blessings of His Grace, the Right Reverend Irinej, Bishop of Eastern America, Protopresbyter Milan Jovanovic celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in initiation of forming a Mission Parish in Naples, Florida.

Fr Milan Jovanovic, who is attached to the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Clearwater, was appointed by Bishop Irinej as Mission Parish Administrator for Naples, succeeding Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Uros Ocokoljich, who previously serviced the occasional needs of the faithful.

For this special occasion, a Community Center in Naples Park was rented. The hall was filled with more than 120 faithful people in eager attendance. The rendering of beautiful singing added to the overall joy of the Divine Service. Truly, we could feel the presence of Holy Spirit among us at that moving service. Everyone was excited to learn that from now on the Divine Liturgy would be celebrated in Naples on a regular basis.

God-willing, the plan is to have three Holy Liturgies in December, and from January 1st to have services every Sunday. It will be our honor and blessing to welcome His Grace Bishop Irinej, who will be joining us for the celebration of the Hierarchical Liturgy on Sunday, December 25th, beginning at 9:30am.

Following the Liturgy there will be a founders meeting, where we will discuss the future and
initiate the establishment of our mission parish. Welcome All!

Protopresbyter Milan Jovanovic
Mission Parish Administrator
Naples