Very Rev. Dr. Alexander Rentel
On Saturday, September 5, 2015, the the Very Reverend Dr. Alexander Rentel, assistant professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies, represented St. Vladimir’s Seminary at the canonization of a new Serbian saint, St. Sebastian of San Francisco and Jackson. His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church led the festivities. The celebration was planned by the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, and held in the Western American Diocese at St. Steven’s Cathedral in Alhambra, CA, pastored by Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Nikola Ceko (M.Div. ’85). The hosting hierarch for the weekend, His Grace Bishop Maxim (Vasiljevic) of the Western American Diocese, is a St. Vladimir's Trustee.
“The beautiful and spacious St. Steven's Cathedral in Alhambra was too small to receive all the faithful who came from many directions to witness the canonization of St. Sebastian,” reported the Western American Diocesan News. Diocesan and visiting clergy from the Diocese of Eastern America, New Gracanica and Midwestern America escorted Patriarch Irinej and all the hierarchs into the Cathedral, which was filled to overflowing. Seating and television screens were prepared for those outside the church as well.
“The entire canonization weekend was very moving,” noted Fr. Alex. “The many visiting hierarchs, clergy, and faithful were reminded that saints are the living fulfillment of the promise that you can be a Christian in this world. It was wonderful to be joined by His Holiness Irinej—a patriarch from one of the ancient world patriarchates—for the canonization of a saint born in San Francisco in the time of the gold rush, who was very much a part of the American landscape.”
Father Alex also commended the community of St. Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral for their gracious hospitality, which was extended throughout the whole weekend. “The enormous luncheon on Sunday for a huge crowd,” he said, “was memorable; among other things, it included a program that highlighted the saint’s ecumenical activity, his charitable giving, and his skills as an iconographer. We were reminded that his life has great relevance for us today.”
Read more on the website of the Serbian Orthodox Church
Read about the life of St. Sebastian
