50th Anniversary of St. Michael Orthodox Church, Concord, CA
St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, Concord, CA | November 9th, 2024
On Saturday, November 9, 2024, His Eminence, Archbishop Benjamin presided at the 50th anniversary celebrations at St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church, Concord, CA. In the course of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence ordained Subdeacon Kakhaber Chkheidze to the Holy Diaconate. Deacon Kakhaber recently completed studies in the Diaconal Vocations Progrm of the Orthodox Church in America. Archpriest Peter Fermeglia, Rector, and Archpriest Michael Vladimirov, Associate Priest, were joined by presbyters Archpriest Kirill Sokolov (Diocesan Chancellor, Holy Trinity Cathedral), Archpriest Ian MacKinnon (Holy Cross), Archpriest Lawrence Margitich (District Dean, St. Seraphim Cathedral), Archpriest John Vitko (Chancellor, Diocese of Washington, and long-time parishioner at St. Michael), and Archpriest Philip Halliwell (Christ the Savior). Archdeacon Justin Bosl of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco served and led Dn. Kakhaber around the altar. Fr. Lawrence delivered the homily. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence delivered words to the newly ordained on the meaning of service in the Church and also spoke about the recent meeting of the Holy Synod and his upcoming retirement. The community’s celebration continued into the early evening with a jubilee dinner and dance at a nearby venue.
