Our parish in Traverse City, Michigan was founded in 2015. At that time it was part of the Serbian Church. For various reasons the parish came into our diocese in 2020, and has grown remarkably ever since.

The parish is named after the Venerable Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson, one of the many saints that came from the Russian Mission started by St. Herman of Alaska and the other monastics that came to our continent in the 18th Century. The Venerable Sebastian reposed on November 17/30, and thus this is the feast day of the Traverse City community.

Archbishop Gabriel arrived in Traverse City late on Friday, November 28. The next day he spent with parishioners, particularly with the parish member who is the vintner and owner of Ascension Winery, the producer of the wine to be used in the chalice in the Mid-American diocese, and recommended to be used in all ROCOR American parishes by the Synod of Bishops. That evening the parish held vigil, at which Archbishop Gabriel presided. Also participating in the service were:

Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of Michigan parishes

Priest Jesse Rimshas, St. Jacob Mission, Marquette, Michigan

Protodeacon Joseph Appling, Cleric of the Midwestern Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church

The choir sang prayerfully both for the vigil and the hierarchal Divine Liturgy on the day of the feast under the direction of Luke Hartung.

On the day of the feast the Lord gave a blustery winter morning, and Archbishop Gabriel was met by the above-mentioned clergymen at the door of the parish’s new, quite large, rental space, which includes the parish temple, a hall, and classrooms. At the Divine Liturgy the parish Rector, Priest Micah Chisholm, was awarded the right to wear the Kamilavka for his diligent service to the Lord in this parish. After the anaphora, Subdeacon George Hunt was ordained a deacon for the Marquette Michigan Mission. Following the prayer behind the ambo, rather than a moleben and procession, a Slava was served, hearkening back to the Serbian roots of this community.

After the Divine Liturgy, at which the vast majority of the parishioners partook of Holy Communion, the parish sisterhood hosted a lenten meal for those in attendance. Archbishop Gabriel praised the parish for their diligent work in planting a mission in the north of Michigan which has now become a full-fledged parish, especially congratulating Fr. Micah on his award and urging him to continued labors in the Lord’s Vineyard.