December 5 and 6 – His Grace Bishop Longin made his first Canonical visitation as the Hierarch of New Grachanica and the Mid-West to the Cathedral of St. Lazarus in Detroit, Michigan. The cathedral clergy, Protojerej Stavrophor Zivan Urosev and Protojerej Radomir Obsenica along with the Church Executive Board received his Grace along with Fr. Deacon Milovan Gogic at a small gathering on Saturday night which was graciously hosted by the Djurovski family.

On Sunday the 6th, Hierarchical liturgy was concelebrated with the host clergy along with Protojerej Stavophor Miosav Ghingilovic of the St. George parish of Monroe, and Jerej Christijan Petrovic, from the St. Petka parish of Troy with many of their parishioners in attendance.

His Graces first Liturgy in Ravanica was highly anticipated by the faithful as evidenced by the over 500 in attendances, and also witnessed by the large amount of communicants that day. During the Liturgy Mr. Vjekoslav Pasalic of Sterling was tonsured a reader by His Grace.

In Bishop Longin’s sermon, he expressed how everything was so spiritual, in the beautiful responses of the Cathedral’s Choir, the S.S.S. Ravanica, the absolute beauty of the Cathedral itself, and in manner of the overall decorum of the attending clergy throughout the Liturgy. His Grace also extolled the parishioners of Ravanica for creating such beauty and their continued efforts to maintain and need preserve their great inheritance.

A reception luncheon was held after the services in the Church Hall with many in attendance. Joining the local clergy were their respective Church Executive Boards of all of the Serbian Orthodox Congregations of the Metro-Detroit area. After a few introductions His Grace took the podium and again thanked everyone for their extremely warm welcome, he also mentioned how touched he was when he gave the children communion and how well prepared they were when they approached the chalice. Bishop Longin reminded everyone that the Orthodox practice is the Christian practice of always encouraging the children to come to Christ. His Grace later presented an Episcopal Gramata recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Sisters of Ravanica to Mrs. Marisa Lazich, Kolo president.

After the respective speeches, Ravanica Executive Board President and Diocese Vice-President Milos Saravolatz presented His Grace with a gift set Cross and Panagija of behalf of the parishioners of St. Lazarus in commemoration of his first visit with us. The Ravanica Church School represented by Alexandar Pavlovich and Mariana Lazich gave His Grace a Badnak Wreath as a special gift.

After the luncheon many of our parishioners had the opportunity to meet and greet His Grace and express their personal welcome.