History, tell me who you are, so that I may know who I am?”

St. Nicholai of Zhicha and Ochrid

TO ALL CLERGY AND MONASTICS,

TO ALL CHURCH-SCHOOL CONGREGATION EXECUTIVE BOARDS,

TO ALL MISSION PARISH COUNCILS AND MONASTERY ADMINISTRATIONS, TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL AND AUDIT BOARD &
TO THE FEDERATION OF THE CIRCLES OF SERBIAN SISTERS
OF THE HOLY DIOCESE OF EASTERN AMERICA

Most beloved Clergy and Faithful,

Joy and peace to you as we have entered into this New Ecclesiastical Year of the Lord’s Grace!

It is with great paternal joy and distinct pleasure that We herein invite you to the Official
Centennial Celebration of the First Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the United
States of America 1921-2021, founded by the Holy Bishop Nicholai Ochrid, who was
appointed as the first administrator of the nascent Diocese. Thus, we celebrate with even
greater joy and gratitude this Anniversary Year, as it also embraces the 140^th year of St.
Nicholai’s birth (January 5, 1881) and the 65^th year of his blessed repose (March 18, 1956).

ATTENDANCE

All parish clergy of the Pittsburgh and Cleveland Deaneries are required to attend on
Sunday, November 7^th. All parish churches in the Pittsburgh Deanery will be closed on that
Sunday, while the parish churches in the Cleveland Deanery may remain open, if there is a
substitute priest to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The Church of St Demetrius in Akron is an
exception, as they will be celebrating their  parish Feast Day. All parish clergy in the
Washington and St. Petersburgh Deaneries may attend and may close their parish churches

or find substitute priests to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. Kindly encourage your faithful to join us
in this rare sojourn on the “Path that leads to Life” (cf. Troparion to St. Sava) by honoring Saints
Sava and Nicholai in our common unity as their spiritual children in the United States of America
and Canada.

Further, we herein request that at least two representatives from each Church-School
Congregational Board and Mission Parish Council participate in this official celebration.

All members of our Diocesan governing bodies and representatives of the Federation of
the Circles of Serbian Sisters are kindly asked to attend this once in a lifetime event, which
will consist of a very rich and diverse gala program. We anticipate hierarchs and clergy from our
Sister Orthodox Churches, as well as members of the Diplomatic Corps to join us in this
celebration.

As the Serb National Federation was instrumental in assisting Bishop Nicholai with his sacred task, We are pleased to announce that the Centennial Anniversary of the founding of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of America and Canada will also encompass the 120^th Anniversary of the founding of the Serb National Federation, per the schedule below:

ALL ROADS LEAD TO PITTSBURGH! WELCOME! WELCOME, INDEED!
                                          ДОБРО НАМ ДОШЛИ!

GRAND BANQUET AND GALA PROGRAM RESERVATIONS

Guests may purchase their Banquet tickets through Eventbrite at the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/centennial-of-the-first-serbian-orthodox-diocese-in-the-usa-canada-tickets-
179643527627

Guests will also have an opportunity to select their own seats or be randomly assigned to eating when they purchase their tickets.

OMNI WILLIAM PENN HOTEL RESERVATIONS

A block of rooms have been set aside at the Omni William Penn Hotel under the name, Serbian

Orthodox        Church       Room     Block         (https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/pittsburgh-william-

penn/meetings/serbian-orthodox-church-11062021). Reservations are due by October 14, 2021.

INQUIRIES

Any questions, concerns or assistance with Grand Banquet and Gala Program Reservations & Omni William Penn Hotel Reservations, kindly be referred to Mr. John Buffalini at:

events@easterndiocese.org

YOUR HUMBLE INTERCESSOR BEFORE THE THRONE OF CHRIST,

IRINEJ

BISHOP OF EASTERN AMERICA

THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH