LENEXA, KS — Over the weekend of May 2-3, 2026, the historic Sunday of the Paralytic, the faithful of St. George the Great Martyr Serbian Orthodox Church gathered to celebrate a rare and momentous fourfold milestone in the life of their community. With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Longin, His Grace Bishop Serafim of Chicago visited the parish to lead a weekend of profound gratitude, remembrance, and liturgical joy.
The weekend honored four distinct anniversaries:
- The 120th Anniversary of the founding of the parish (1906).
- The 100th Anniversary of the first canonical visit of St. Mardarije of Libertyville to Kansas City.
- The 20th Anniversary of the consecration of the current Lenexa church temple by the late Metropolitan Christopher (Kovacevic).
- The annual celebration of the parish Slava of St. George.
Saturday Morning: A Return to the Historic Foundations
The festivities commenced on Saturday morning, May 2, with a poignant pilgrimage back to the community’s historic roots. Clergy and faithful gathered outside the original St. George church building at Bethany and Lowell Streets in Kansas City, Kansas—a holy site sold to the local Ethiopian Christian community in 2006 when the parish relocated to Lenexa.
Originally founded in 1906 in the West Bottoms rail yard district, the early parish suffered from severe river flooding, prompting the move to the Bethany and Lowell location in 1925.
Standing beside the original cornerstone, which was personally blessed by St. Mardarije in 1925, His Grace Bishop Serafim led a Thanksgiving Moleban (Supplication) and an Akathist to St. Mardarije. Serving alongside His Grace were parish priest Father Radomir Plavsic, Father Vladimir Terzic (Holy Trinity, St. Louis), and Father Joseph Henre (second parish priest).
A Beautiful Witness of Christian Hospitality In a heartwarming display of Christian love, about 100 people from both the Serbian Orthodox and Ethiopian Christian communities packed the historic grounds. Bishop Serafim offered words of deep gratitude to the Ethiopian community for opening their doors and hosting the visiting Orthodox faithful.
To honor the centennial of St. Mardarije’s visit, attendees gathered for a group portrait, intentionally recreating an iconic archival photograph taken on the exact same steps in 1926.
Following the prayers, the Ethiopian community generously provided a beautiful fellowship meal in the old parish hall. As stories of past baptisms, weddings, and generations of faithful echoed through the hall, the St. George Choir sang the traditional “Ziveli” to their hosts. In response, the Ethiopian choir, beautifully vested in traditional pure white attire, offered a stunning spiritual song in return.
Saturday Evening: Festal Vespers and Memorial Service
On Saturday evening, the focus shifted to the current temple in Lenexa. Bishop Serafim, joined by Father Radomir Plavsic, served Festal Vespers followed by a solemn Pomen (Memorial Service), prayerfully remembering all the departed founders, benefactors, and parishioners who sustained the parish over the last 120 years.
An impressive crowd of over 200 faithful filled the nave, including visiting clergy Father Sasa Petrovic (Omaha, NE) along with his parishioners, Father Vladimir Terzic (St. Louis, MO), and Father Djordje Veselinovic (Des Moines, IA).
The evening concluded with a sumptuous dinner prepared by the tireless Kolo Srpskih Sestara (Circle of Serbian Sisters). The parish hall vibrated with cultural heritage as the legendary Bajich Brothers expertly performed traditional Serbian tamburica music, keeping a decades-long musical legacy alive.
Sunday: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Parish Slava
On Sunday, May 3, the celebration reached its liturgical climax. Bishop Serafim celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating at the altar were:
- Protopriest Sasa Petrovic
- Hieromonk Alexii (Altschul)
- Protopriest Djordje Veselinovic
- Priest Radomir Plavsic
- Priest Turbo Qualls
- Priest Joseph Henre
Following the Divine Liturgy, a vibrant cross procession (Litija) encircled the church temple, culminating in the traditional cutting of the Slava Kolach inside the church.
More than 300 Orthodox faithful from across the region filled the complex to pray and celebrate. The parish expressed deep gratitude to pilgrims traveling from sister parishes and monastic communities, including:
- St. Mary of Egypt SOC (Kansas City, MO)
- St. Nicholas SOC (Omaha, NE)
- St. Demetrius SOC (Des Moines, IA)
- Monastics from St. Archangel Michael Skete (Weatherby, MO)
- The Convent of the Mother of God “Seeker of the Lost” (Kansas City, MO)
Banquet and Archpastoral Gramatas
A delectable banquet featuring mouthwatering Serbian specialties was prepared by the Kolo of Sisters for the massive assembly. Church Board President Michael Kimbell served as the master of ceremonies, delivering a moving speech detailing how the St. George parish community radically transformed his life and the life of his family for the better.
Following several uplifting reflections from local and visiting guests, His Grace Bishop Serafim took the podium to express his archpastoral gratitude. He bestowed official Episcopal Gramatas (Certificates of Appreciation) upon several individuals for their exemplary, long-standing stewardship and devotion to Christ’s Holy Church.
Recipients of the Episcopal Gramatas:
- Mark and Patricia Milosovich
- Bozidar Bajich
- Daniel and Carol Gurba
- Ljiljana Bajich-Bock
- Michael and Michelle Kimbell
- Miryana Bajich
- Reader Bradley Hijaz
- Paul Bajich
- Connie Hijaz
His Grace noted that while these individuals were formally recognized, the numbers of those truly deserving in the parish are vast, reflecting the collective dedication of the entire community.
Before departing back to the diocesan see in Chicago, Bishop Serafim offered his final archpastoral blessing, challenging the faithful to diligently cultivate, guard, and expand the spiritual gifts handed down to them by past generations.
May the Lord richly bless, with many years, all the clergy, donors, singers, volunteers, and laborers of St. George the Great Martyr Church!
