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Foreword

With the rise of interest in Orthodoxy in America, amidst discussions of American saints, it is unfortunately the case that Saint Sebastian is infrequently mentioned. A possible contributing factor is that, despite being a prolific writer, his works have long since been out of print, existing solely as difficult to find PDFs or, where they do exist in print, as quick cash grabs, with little care shown for the works themselves, being riddled with errors or hundreds of blank pages appended to the end, as is the case for one such edition. Our saints deserve better than this.

As a native of the California Bay Area myself and the first of my family to be baptized into the Orthodox Faith, I cannot help but feel a special kinship with Saint Sebastian, who himself was born in San Francisco, and was the first American-born man to be ordained an Orthodox priest. Beacon from the Bay is the gathered collection of Saint Sebastian’s works, not only his three books, The Holy Orthodox Church, The Lives of Saints, and Preaching in the Russian Church, but also the articles he wrote for various journals and publications, both religious and secular. As such, even those familiar with the saint’s writings will find something new to edify their spiritual life with from this collection.

While Beacon from the Bay is not a life of the saint, one cannot but feel his strong faith and love for all in his writings, remaining stalwart in faith but open to dialogue and eager for unity with all. As publisher, I have kept the saint’s words as is, including original footnotes, only correcting syntax errors from the original publishing and, for ease of the reader, modernized certain spellings (such as Contakion to Kontakion).

This collection will edify both inquirers curious about the Orthodox faith, even as a first introduction, or those Orthodox Christians seeking the spiritual illumination from this beacon of faith from the Bay. I am grateful to be able to once again present these great writings to the Church in America, for which Saint Sebastian labored for so much of his life.

It is my hope that this collection will be a God-pleasing work and for the glory and increased veneration of the Church’s first-born son of America.

Graciously, say a small prayer for me,

Joshua

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Exterior Expression of Church and Worship

3. The Temple and its Division in Parts

4. The Table of Oblation, the Vessels, Incense, etc.

5. The Lights

6. Sacred Images, Pictures, the Holy Cross, etc.

7. Some Requirements of the Church Service when a Bishop Officiates. Something about the Angels, and the Heavenly Hierarchy

   The Services of the Church

8. Divine Liturgy

9. The Hours

10. Vespers

11. Matins

12. Symbolical Books. Containing the Services, Offices and Ritual of the Orthodox Church

    The Sacraments

13. Baptism

14. Unction with Chrism (Confirmation)

15. Repentance

16. Holy Communion

17. Holy Orders

18. Matrimony

19. The Unction with Oil

20. Saints

21. Holy Virginity

22. The Fasts of the Church

23. Conclusion—The Burial Service, etc.

The Orthodox Church in California

1. From 1806 until 1840

2. The Era of the Establishment of the Orthodox Community in the City of San Francisco and Visits of the Russian Fleets

3. The Church in San Francisco Headed by Bishops

1. St. John the Baptist

2. St. Mary Magdalene

3. St. John the Evangelist

4. St. Panteleimon, the Great Martyr

5. St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia

6. St. Nina, the Missionary of Georgia

7. A Sainted Brother’s History of a Sainted Sister

8. St. John Chrysostom

9. Something About an Evening Hymn

10. St. Pelagia

11. Sts. Cyril and Methodius, the Apostles of the Slavonians

12. St. Sabbas, the First Archbishop of the Serbians

13. St. Alexander Nevsky

14. St. Philip, Metropolitan of Moscow

15. Why Christians Bring Loaves to the Divine Liturgy

16. Address at the Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Great Missionary in North America, Innocentius

17. Sincere Religion

18. Sermon on Orthodox Sunday

19. Sermon for the Fifth Sunday After Trinity

20. Sermon on the Twentieth Sunday After Trinity

21. How the Church Cares for Her Sheep and Lambs

1. The Immortality of the Soul

2. The Necessity for Divine Revelation and the Indication of a Revealed Religion

3. The Authenticity and Truthfulness of the Gospel

4. The True Church of Christ

5. The Education of Children

6. Sermon on New Year’s Day

7. Thoughts on Fast and Temperance

8. Sermon on the Gospel of the Prodigal Son

9. Sermon Preached on Orthodox Sunday

10. Sermon Preached on the Third Sunday of Great Lent

11. Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Great Lent

12. Thoughts for Good Friday at the Passions and Burial of Christ

13. Sermon on the Gospel Relating to the Impotent

14. Sermon for the Sunday when the Gospel of the Blind is Read

15. Sermon on the Feast of the Ascension

16. Sermon Preached on Trinity Sunday

17. The Condition of Society

18. Sermon to those Preparing for Holy Communion

19. Address on Christmas Day

Part I

1. To the Editor of The Living Church

2. Transubstantiation

3. Confirmation by Priests

Part II

1. Seven Sacraments

2. Leavened Bread

3. The “Worship” of Images, Relics, and of Saints

Part III

1. Divorce and Re-Marriage

2. The Filioque

3. Conclusion

1. To the Alaskan Spiritual Consistory

2. Fort Ross Hotel Register

3. Russians in Alaska

4. Sermon on the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Cross

5. Alaska

6. The Madonna of Alaska

7. What is Truth?

8. A few Facts and a bit of History

9. History the Beautiful

1. Private Entertainments

2. Union of Two Churches

3. Visiting His Scattered Flock

4. An Orthodox Ceremony

5. Order of St. Anne Conferred Upon Him

6. Plea for Unity of Catholic Churches

7. Rev. Father Sebastian Dabovich

8. Lecture on Slavonic Race

9. Short News Items of Local Interest

10. Greek Church Matters

11. Unitarian Club is Entertained

12. Catholic Club Holds Session

13. Emperor and Empress of Russia Grateful

14. Rev. Sebastian Dabovich Talks to Catholic Club

15. Reaches Place Next to the Bishopric

16. Serbian-Greek Church Dedicated in Slavonian

17. New Russian Church is Duly Dedicated

18. Balkan Nations will Form Union

19. Serbian Priest to Talk for Balkans

20. Women and Children in Serbia are Starving as a Result of War

21. Service for Serbs is Held at Tonopah

The Holy Orthodox Church

or the

Ritual, Services, and Sacraments of the Eastern Apostolic (Greek-Russian) Church

by

The Rev. Sebastian Dabovich

San Francisco, California

1898, February 9th, Wilksbarre, Pa.

This book, having been examined and approved, is hereby allowed to be printed by the Church Censor, the Archpriest, Alexis Toth

Preface

In pursuing the contents of this small volume, the reader will note that several different subjects have been treated by the author, and presented in the form of separate readings and sermons. In fact, the first half of this book has been written and delivered orally to the congregation of our church, before the author conceived the idea of “getting up a book.” As a pastor, he is obliged to instruct the people in all that which pertains to salvation. On perceiving, that of all his instructions, the present ones, which were also given in the present order, were more or less suitable, and could be, with less difficulty, compiled into a volume, with something bearing at least the semblance of a system, he decided to publish them in their present appearance. These instructions were offered to Christians by a Spiritual Advisor. Therefore, the reader, if one should be found, must not expect to discover a learned thesis on Liturgic Science or Theology. The object which moved the author to publish this book is of a two-fold nature: first, he desired that the children of the Church, born in America, should have the opportunity of obtaining a book which they could easily read and understand, and, by God’s grace, thereby grow firmer in the Faith; and, secondly, he desires with all his heart to contribute the little of God’s might within him to further the holy object of Christ’s church, in seeking all whose who are walking in the way of error, and likewise, if need be, present to zealous students of the Christian religion a book, which may be of service to them in disclosing those differences, which exclude Roman Catholics from her fold, on the one hand, and on the other, debar from her wholesome communion the Protestants.

Sebastian-Hieromonachos

Note

In compiling this volume the following books have been consulted:

1. The Word of God in the Holy Scriptures and in Holy Tradition.

2. The Canons of the Holy Apostles and the Canons of the VII General Councils.

3. St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the first centuries.

4. Simeon, Bishop of Salonica, on the church observances.

5. Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow.

6. Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow.

7. Archpriest Nicholsky on Church Ritual.

8. The Different Books of Service in the Orthodox Eastern Apostolic Church.

9. The Roman Missal, London, Burns and Oats, 1882.

10. The Roman Catechism, enjoined by the order of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore.

11. Books of Common Prayers of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

12. Abbé Vladimir Getè, Paris.

13. Nicodemus Milash, Zara, Austria, 1890.

14. Archbishop Sergius on Orthodox Truths, Russia, 1893.

15. Several Protestant Monthly Magazines and Weeklies published in the United States.

Dedication

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The sounds of Orthodox worship were heard for the first time in California at Fort Ross, where there resided a fortified Russian settlement for the purpose of trade with California Spaniards and the protection of the Russian-American Trade Company of Alaska’s sea hunting.1 In the small bay of Bodega, fifty miles north of San Francisco, a Russian schooner took shelter with Aleut leather kayaks. Not far from the bay on a prominence stood Fort Ross, in which could be seen a modest chapel. There Russians, together with Aleut and California Indian converts to Orthodoxy sang and prayed according to the Slavonic Psalter and Book of Hours. The first Indian converts were apparently baptized by lay people, as once were the Aleuts on Kodiak island. But later [converts] were unquestionably baptized by priests who came here from Sitka to conduct divine services and rites. Among those priest-missionaries was the famous Fr. Ioann Veniaminov, who visited here from Sitka. In 1884 the writer of this notebook observed children of Russian and California Indian mixed marriages in the settlement of Novoarchangelsk2 on Baranoff Island.

Thus Russia, or more precisely the Russian-American Company, first owned property in California back in 1808. Fort Ross was built and consecrated in 1812. The first Orthodox community in California comprised the major part of the population of these holdings. On feast days the entire population gathered for common prayer in the chapel, the ruins of which can still be seen today. The river, which flows through this region among the straight tall redwood trunks, has preserved the name Russian, as has one of the hills in the city of San Francisco itself. In 1840 all this part of Upper California was transferred to the Americans. And so when the American Captain Sutter raised the American flag over the former Russian fort in Sonoma County, the sound of those singing the Orthodox Lord, have mercy was no longer heard in the chapel. The site became desolate, and it seemed that the Orthodox Christian faith had left this land forever.

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The Lives of the Saints

And Several Lectures and Sermons

Compiled and Translated by

Rev. Sebastian Dabovich

For Devotional Family Reading and School Practice

These Readings have been delivered before the Congregation in the Presence of the Most Reverend Bishop Nicholas

Preface

In this, our second book, we cheerfully offer to our brethren and children of the Holy Orthodox Church in the English-speaking world the Lives of the Saints, together with some lectures and a few of our sermons,—mindful of the command of our Master, who said: Freely ye have received, freely give. We have no comments to make; let the facts in the histories of the lives of holy men and women speak for themselves; we only repeat that, the Spirit breatheth where He will. Let our lectures and sermons likewise speak for themselves, as they are strictly founded upon Holy Scripture and the writings of the Holy Fathers of the Church in her early days.

Hieromonachos Sebastian.

San Francisco, September 14/26, 1898.

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Preaching in the Russian Church

Lectures and Sermons by a Priest of the Holy Orthodox Church

by

Sebastian Dabovich

Preface

In this book I offer to the English-speaking public in general, and to the American in particular, a historic, theological, and moral review of the Orthodox Eastern Apostolic Church, commonly called the Greek-Russian Church, in the form of lectures and sermons, thus enabling them to see the actual practice and teaching of a Church which is making herself at home in the West, notwithstanding her birth in the East, and which knows none other head but Jesus Christ.

Now and then people are told, chiefly through small journalism, that the Emperor of Russia is the head of the Orthodox Church. There are some who accept this view, and these belong to two classes: the uninformed and the prejudiced. It must be made clear that the Orthodox Church has three of her Patriarchs residing in the Turkish Empire, while about 6,000,000 of her members are the subjects of the Emperor of Austria, besides which we have to count the Kingdom of Greece, the Church in Egypt, and three independent branches of the Church in the Balkan States. We simply mention the purely characteristic Orthodox Church in Japan, the missions in China, America, and elsewhere, together with the Church’s congregations in all the countries of Europe, which, though peculiarly original, in regard to their local premises, are, nevertheless, in spiritual relationship with the Great Church of Holy Russia, relying upon her for the larger portion of their support. And the Russian Church, enjoying in complete measure the sympathy of the Orthodox and highly pious Ruler of the Empire, does not begrudge Orthodox missions her support, which is so often made the subject for taunting with suspicions by outsiders who are strangers to the Christian spirit of toleration. Thus it is clear that the Orthodox Church has no Pope-head; she is not a monarchy, but as the Church of Christ she is Catholic and Apostolic. Indeed, it would seem strange to say that in this country Queen Victoria is the head of the Episcopal Church, because the Anglican and Episcopal Churches are in close communion.

Readily do we acknowledge, and sometimes too hastily adopt, the results of the great achievements of the Western mind and spirit in the affairs of this world; but in matters of faith the Eastern is, as it has ever been, the source and cradle of everything that is purest, highest, and heavenly. Humiliating though it might appear to the haughty spirit of the West, it will at last, and of necessity, turn its eyes towards the East and realize the saying: Ex Oriente lux!

Sebastian Dabovich

A priest of the Holy Orthodox Church

San Francisco, on the day of our Lady of Kazan, 1899.

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The Position of the Orthodox Eastern Church

by

Very Rev. Sebastian Dabovich, Dean of the N.A.E. Consistory, etc.

Publisher’s Preface

The Position of the Orthodox Eastern Church was originally published in The Living Church, a religious magazine based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, focusing on news and religious topics relating to the Episcopal Church and the Anglican communion at large. During the 20th century, dialogue opened between the Orthodox Church and the Anglicans, with the sincere hope of entering into mutual communion. Saint Sebastian was among several Orthodox saints to take part in this dialogue. From his communications, one can see his sincere hope for union among all Christians, yet remained steadfast and firm in defense of Orthodox dogma and belief, maintaining that certain agreements would have to be made for such a communion to be possible.

The Position of the Orthodox Eastern Church was in response to an article by Rev. Francis J. Hall, an American Episcopalian priest and theologian, with whom Saint Sebastian had exchanged private correspondence. Hall penned an article titled The Church and the East, detailing the issues in which Saint Sebastian laid out which inhibit mutual communion. To Hall, he writes, “Our Bishops and school representatives declare that the Episcopal and Anglican Church as a whole, i.e., as a Church, does not fully accept (1) the Seven Ecumenical Councils; (2) the Seven Sacraments; (3) the Doctrine of Transubstantiation; (4) [Allows] too much liberty, or abuse of freedom, in personal interpretation of the Bible; (5) the majority refuse spiritual aid unto the faithful departed and spiritual consolation unto the living, inasmuch as they reject prayers for the dead; (6) the majority have strong aversion to reverence shown and due the saints glorified; (7) Pictures and articles for uplifting and strengthening religion are rejected… I do not mention the Filioque, as… it is not known in early Christendom.”

In a later letter he calls attention to the English coronation oath, which the King takes “in the capacity of the Head of the Church and her defender,’’ etc. He says, that this oath “shocks the religious feeling of our people,” because of its language concerning the Transubstantiation, and its “referring to the invocation of the Blessed Virgin as idolatry.”1

As The Church and the East details the Episcopal doctrine, Saint Sebastian’s article is an Orthodox response, which those of the Anglican or broader Protestant communities may find enlightening in detailing their differences with the Orthodox faith, with appropriate explanation.

While genuine dialogue between the theologians of both churches took place for several decades, no rapprochement could be made concerning doctrine, and dialogue broke down starting in the 1970’s with the Anglican communion’s regular ordination of women. Unfortunately, despite the efforts in the 20th century, eventual communion with the Anglicans is much less likely today than it was during the times of Saint Sebastian and other Orthodox saints.

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Publisher’s Preface

If one were to search for a list of the works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, principally, three works works appear, A History of the Orthodox Church in California, The Lives of the Saints, and Preaching in the Russian Church, all which we have included in the preceding sections. Yet, while Saint Sebastian did indeed publish those three books, he was a much more prolific writer, exchanging correspondence with other Christians (as seen in The Position of the Orthodox Eastern Church) and submitting articles for the Russian American Orthodox Messenger and the local San Francisco newspaper, The San Francisco Call. We are happy that these “lost” writings of Saint Sebastian can once again be read easily, some of which have not been readily accessible in over a century.

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Publisher’s Preface

The following section consists of a collection of newspaper articles, contemporary with and mentioning Saint Sebastian in some capacity. As publisher, we wanted to include these articles to show the impact the saint had, not only in regards to the church, but society at large. Most of these articles come from The San Francisco Call, the local newspaper at the time and one in which Saint Sebastian himself published articles in, as demonstrated in Miscellaneous Writings, but other publications have been included as well.

We hope these articles provide context to the America in which Saint Sebastian lived and to show how prominent he was in the public sphere in addition to public opinion concerning the Orthodox faith at the time. While several of these articles contain quotes from the saint, as they are written from an outside perspective, they should not be seen as representative of the views of Saint Sebastian or the Church, outside of his quotes. This is most evidently seen in misunderstandings of Orthodox doctrine by the journalists.

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“Lead me in Thy truth, O Lord, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation.” (Psalm, xxv. 5)

The Prophet-king David and Psalm-singer of the Old Testament, who enjoyed the light that shines from the truth perhaps as much as any mortal of that age and knowing well, that he comprehended the truth in part only, and as much as he did comprehend it was the reflection of the truth the Truth itself as yet was hid behind the veil; so he prayed: lead me in thy truth, O Lord, and teach me, for Thou art the God of my salvation.1

What is truth? This is the question the unbeliever asks in a false tone of earnestness. These are the very words that a Roman pagan uttered while presiding over the trial brought before him by a mob of Jews against a Jew who was no less than Jesus, the Son of the Most High. This pagan was Pilate, who was appointed by Rome, from which place he came to govern Judea. And this—shall I say—dignified procurator, this jurist sneering by questions the accused, but the innocent Man—even—Jesus of Nazareth the lawful King of the Jews. What is truth? One who is not well versed in the study of the Law of God, or His Revelation, one who will doubt one belief today and another tomorrow, in a word the Skeptic, puts the question, what is truth, in a sort of despairing mood.

Of course, you all know that Christendom, unfortunately, is divided. The most prominent branches which hold claims to Catholic Truth are three. The most ancient and for many other reasons the first among these three, who lay claims to catholic truth, is our Eastern Orthodox Church. Then follows the Anglican with her several sister churches. The third, which holds claims to Catholic truth, is the Roman Church. In divided Christendom there is still another party—the Protestants and sectarians, with several different associations. Some of this fourth party hold claims to Bible truth. Bible truth is only a part of the whole and perfect truth, which, when separate from the complete organism of the Church, is something vague and abstract, and therefore a particle can have no complete results nor powerful efficiency in the eternal harmony of God’s plans in saving the world.

We should pray and work in order to speed on that day in which a large part of Western Catholicism will unite with Orthodox Catholicism, for all peoples of the earth are called to be children of the Common Kingdom of God. Undisputed claims of catholicity belong to Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Athens, Constantinople, and Moscow; and France, England, and America have rights as well as Rome, which is not the Capital City of the World—but of Italy.

Let us take an historical view of our Holy Church, which lives chiefly in a part of the world not much known, but judging by her longevity after undergoing tortures by the Empire’s renting asunder, under the Moslem sway (and still partly subject to the Turk), under the Crusaders greed, trampled by the Mongolian Horde, judging by her faithful abiding to ancient principles of discipline, preserving the ancient form of the Divine Liturgy, keeping alive the faith which was once delivered unto the saints, notwithstanding her struggle with Judaism, Paganism, Arianism, Nestorianism, Mohamedanism, and other heresies that arose through the agency of Satan, and then to undergo the test of extreme patience caused by the founder of a new and strange power hitherto unknown even in Rome—its home, and finally to bear the cross of another burden—to be scorned by the sectarians who would be the restorers of primitive Christian simplicity, which they think was lost to the Church because they themselves had lost it in this Babel—this chaos of conflicting claims; yes, this much enduring, experienced, all patient, this Church of the Martyrs, which is still living with an ever bright glow of youth after her severe purification in the blood and fire of ages, sanctified to God by her journey through a terrible—desert this is the Orthodox Apostolic Church of the East.

An Orthodox Catholic will not shrink away before a question concerning the hope that is within him. He will tell you, that the Truth is Christ, our true God, as He said Himself when comforting the first members of His Church—His disciples: I am the way, the truth, and life.

The truth we preach to you is the one thing needful (Luke, x. 42). It is that Gospel treasure (Matt., xiii. 44), that precious pearl (45) which to gain we must sacrifice our strength, our means, our will, according to the precept of the Savior. The truth of which we speak is unconquerable, it does not fear the light, or attempt of an investigation, or the understanding. In its perfection it is incomprehensible, for God dwelleth, in the light, which no man approach unto, and no one with all the reasoning he may command, can take away from or belittle the glory of God; but it should be desired by all who seek happiness and salvation; to such it should be dear as the most necessary thing.

There was a time—and that time is the whole period of the old dispensation—when the truth was hid behind the veil, so to speak, concealed in the shadow. It was made known to the people by extraordinary revelations, by prophecies, and diverse representations in figures and symbols. But now God came as man, the Truth is incarnate, it appeared as day, arose as the sun in a clear sky of faith and love. And why so? In order that all may see it, receive and love it, that all may appropriate it, that the Truth may adapt itself to the heart, interweave itself to the understanding, flow into and unite with the life of all—doctrinally, liturgically, sacramentally, by hearing and learning, by seeing and worshipping, by feeding, and communicating. If this was not the Truth’s intention, then it would have remained inexplicable, a mystery inaccessible to no one.

They who try to bring the truth nearer to the understanding of their neighbor or the people they come in contact with, the same contribute their service to the great scheme of carrying out God’s plan of redeeming sinners, and they shall be rewarded accordingly, for the Truth appeared on earth to find and save sinners, but who think or strive to prevent it reaching those, who thirst to know it and submit to it, the same is against the Truth and an enemy of it.

In the early days of Christianity, there was no necessity for the Church to be called Orthodox, because then the Christians with one mouth and one heart glorified and hymned the honorable and majestic name of the Father, and of Son, and of the Holy Ghost; strangers distinguished them from the pagan and Jew by the simple but beautiful name of Christians, and they themselves distinguished one another from the people of the world by such a holy name as the saints. But now, since the Church has been divided by mighty Rome drifting away from the Simple Apostolic ruling and the venerable codes of Universal assemblages of the Church and sweeping in her proud and outwardly attractive train half of Europe and then in her turn giving birth to Lutheranism, Calvinism and all these young -isms, the Church of a necessity must by some name distinguish herself from other bodies that claim the title of Christian, or catholic, and so she is called Orthodox in distinction from heterodox; consequently, she is the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

It is a terrible thing to darken or throw a shadow over the path by which Truth should make its way; whoever thinks that such a thing is allowable, or that it is expedient for the populace at large, the same lowers the estimate of Truth, calling forth a doubt and suspicion against its worth and sanctity. Protect us, O God, from such defenders of the truth, they as if intentionally become the enemies of our happiness here on earth and our salvation in eternity. We should boldly speak the truth and express it in all its nakedness; the Redeemer left us this commandment, saying: what I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops (Matt., x. 27). Do not therefore hesitate to call yourselves Orthodox Catholic.

The Truth will never lose its significance and power, in spite of all the sacrilegious assaults, sooner or later, it will be victorious: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known (—26). By decree of the Truth itself not one jot of the law shall pass away, till all these things be fulfilled, and not the least part of the truth shall remain unfulfilled—without its being justified.

Beloved, fearlessly proclaim the truth i.e. of Jesus Christ, and His Church, do not be ashamed to boldly teach one another, guiding yourselves by the teaching of the Orthodox Church of Christ, for out of the mouths of babes and sucklings God may perfect praise (Matt., xxi. 16), and comfort yourselves with the promise of the Truth: whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven (Matt., x. 32).

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

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Prior to 1906 Father Dabovich was connected with the Russian Catholic church in San Francisco.

“The outcome of the present fighting in the Balkans will be the formation of a confederacy including Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Montenego,” said Father Dabovich last night. “This confederacy will eventually become the United States of Europe. It will be the culmination of a century of hope, particularly on the part of the Serbs.

“The country was fast settling down when I left eight weeks ago. On the ashes are being builded new homes and cities and a greater nation will be the ultimate result.

“Nicholas Pasich, prime minister of Serbia, is a great man: in fact, a genius. It was his brain that conceived the Balkan confederacy, and all his efforts are centered on perpetuating the idea.

“The allied armies fought under great physical obstacles and lost very heavily. When I left Belgrade a new army was being drafted of the youths of the country ranging from 18 years upward.

“Conditions there now are very hopeful. Bulgaria is being punished, but I believed eventually will come into the confederacy and help to strengthen the union.”1

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

If you would like to purchase print copies of Beacon from the Bay for a personal or church library or bookstore, you may do so from Amazon. All support is greatly appreciated for this labor of love.

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

If you would like to purchase print copies of Beacon from the Bay for a personal or church library or bookstore, you may do so from Amazon. All support is greatly appreciated for this labor of love.

In this wanderings the missionary has been strengthened in his conviction that much spiritual good would from a union of the Greek orthodox with the Anglican church.

When asked yesterday about the possibility of this union he said: “The question is being considered by the church authorities. No doubt a decision will be reached before long. Personally, I consider that we were never so near a union as at present.”

Father Dabovich then went on to tell how, although a priest of the Greek orthodox church, he was a native Californian and in his early youth had been an intimate friend of Rev. Henry Scott Jeffries, and had learned through him to know something of Episcopal doctrines, and to see their great similarity in many points to his own.

“Although I always favor the thought of this union,” he said, “there is no one who inculcates the doctrines of his own church with more severity than I, but with the similarity that exists it will not be necessary to make concessions that I for one should be very sorry to see made. Once let it be clearly understood that they believe in the apostolic succession and there remains but little more to overcome in order to effect a union, and it is my opinion that the time is not far off when the orthodox Eastern church will be able to unite with the Anglican and Episcopalian church and the Catholic.

“The Eastern church is more progressive now than it ever been before. In past generations it has had to struggle for its very existence against the Turks, the Mongolians, and the Magyars, but to-day it is more secure and can turn its attention toward its own internal progress.”

Speaking of Bishop Nicholas, he said that he was expected back in San Francisco at the end of November. “He has been visiting in St. Petersburg and Moscow, and at present he is in Southern Russia. Whether he decided to make his headquarters in New York or here, he will certainly pay a visit to the coast. So far as I know, a decision has not been reached with regard to the Bishop’s ultimate residence. Personally it is my opinion that he will be left free to make the decision as he sees best. His see embraces the whole of North America, and with such a vast territory he has to consider the interests of the whole diocese in selecting his headquarters.

“In Alaska he has a number of parishes, in Pennsylvania there are five Greek orthodox congregations, one in New York, two in Illinois, two in Minnesota, one in New Orleans, two in California, and one at Portland, Or.”

When asked about the California churches the missionary stated that before long a third would be added, as Los Angeles had shown itself anxious to build a sanctuary of its own and have a resident priest. Most of the members of the Greek communion in Los Angeles are Russians. Temporary services have been held among them for some time, whenever a missionary of their church visited Los Angeles, but it has been decided to build within the next ten months.

The Los Angeles church will be of very much the same character as the building which was erected by members of the Greek church in Jackson, Amador County, about a year ago. Some members of this congregation live as far as thirty miles from the church, but they manage to get there pretty regularly notwithstanding. Buggies, wagons and horses that have traveled from afar are congregated round the little church every Sunday. Not a few of the flock come from far beyond the county line. It is energy such as this that makes the Greek priests realize that there is more vitality than ever before in their church to-day.1

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

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The Greek church has two chapels in California, one in Oregon and one in Seattle and has members scattered through Victoria, Port Angeles and other cities. There are 130 members here in winter and eighty in summer, principally Greeks, but there are some Russians, Slavonians and Arabs.

The chapel is located one black from the Lake street care line and can be distinguished by a Greek cross on the cupola.1

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

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The ceremony was extremely picturesque, the groom’s immediate connection with the church making it an occasion of more than usual solemnity. Mr. Pashkovsky is a reader at the church, and now that he has taken unto himself a wife will soon be ordained a priest, for according to the laws of the Eastern church no unmarried man may be invested with ministerial functions.1 At the expressed wish of the Bishop the ceremony was conducted with the utmost simplicity. As the church is undergoing repairs, the ceremony was celebrated in the Episcopal parlors. There were no floral decorations, but the altar was bright with the light of countless wax tapers. The ceremony was extremely impressive. Three times the young couple drank of the blessed wine, three times did they march around the altar and thrice exchange rings while the groomsmen held the golden crowns over their respective heads.

The bride was attended by Miss Julia Metropolsky, who acted as maid of honor, and Miss Irene Radovich, who officiated as bridesmaid. Little Lydia Dabovich preceded the bridal procession, holding aloft the Holy Picture.

George A. Dabovich, brother of the bride, and Paul Grebechevsky officiated as groomsmen, and Fabian Hildebrandt and Achine Zubovsky acted as ushers.

The bride wore a dainty gown of white organdie trimmed with white satin ribbons and Valenciennes lace. Her veil was fastened with a diamond sunburst, the gift of the Bishop.

Miss Metropolsky and little Miss Dabovich were attired in dainty white gowns of organdie over white silk. Miss Irene Radovich wore a modish Nile green silk gown. All the attendants carried bouquets of bride roses.

After the ceremony the invited guests, thirty in number, repaired to future home of the newly wedded pair, 1926 Leavenworth Street, where the bridal supper was served.2

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

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Information was received yesterday by the Rev. Sebastian Dabovich of this city that the Order of St. Anne had been conferred on him by the Czar of Russia. This is the second order presented to the minister during the past two years. He received the handsome order of Daniel of Montenegro from Prince Nicholas two years ago, and he prizes both very highly.

The doctor is of the opinion that the degree was awarded to him through the influence of Bishop Nicholas, who left this city a year ago and had an audience with the Czar, at which he probably recommended the local divine by reason of the assistance he had rendered him in his work.

The Order of Daniel, he says, was conferred on him for his kindnesses to Serbians and Montenegrin subjects in this city and for the articles he has written on the province of Montenegro and of its struggles against the Turks and other tribes.

Dr. Dabovich is a traveling missionary connected with the Holy Trinity Cathedral. He was born in this city in 1863 and received his early education in the public schools of San Francisco. On graduating from the latter he entered a religious school and upon concluding his studies in 1884 he went to Alaska and served in that country. In 1889 he journeyed to Russia and entered the Theological Academy of St. Petersburg. On graduating in 1892 he returned to this city and took up missionary work, and is engaged in that labor at the present time. He has written a number of books and has also contributed to magazines. His sermons at the Cathedral are extremely popular and cover a wide range of topics on matters pertaining to the Orthodox church.1

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

If you would like to purchase print copies of Beacon from the Bay for a personal or church library or bookstore, you may do so from Amazon. All support is greatly appreciated for this labor of love.

In his lecture, Father Dabovich spoke of the severe struggle which the Greek church has experienced in this country and Alaska. He deprecated the fact that the Apostolic Catholic Church of Russia had met with so little interest and he attributed it to the unfavorable light in which the Episcopal and Anglican churches were placed, owing to the attitude of the Roman church. The first part of the lecture was concluded with an earnest hope that God will some day unite all branches of the Catholic church.

“Russia owes everything to the Orthodox Church,” said Father Dabovich, “which created her government and endowed it with the breath of life. Russia’s strength lies in her Orthodoxy and it is impossible to separate the idea of religion from that of country. In preparing for battle whole armies have prayed and received the sacraments. In the Mongolian invasion it was the Orthodox faith that sustained and forted the people and finally delivered Russia from her enemies.”

At the conclusion of the lecture, a collection was taken up for the joint benefit of the new Russian Cathedral and the payment of the debt on the Church of the Advent.1

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

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Rev. Father Dabovich has charge of the Greek church in this place, and the little flock of his church look up to him as an upright leader and an able minister to their spiritual needs.1

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

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Lecture on the Slavonic Race

Rev. Sebastian Dabovich will deliver a lecture in Webb hall on Tuesday evening, January 7, at 8 o’clock, on the Slavonic race, its history, customs, music, etc. The proceeds will be devoted toward paying off the debt upon the newly erected parsonage. There is a debt of about $200 on this building, and it is hoped by this lecture and other lectures to be given in the church, to wipe off this indebtedness. The lecture will undoubtedly be highly entertaining. Tickets may be had of A. Perovich, Freeman’s store, R. Rugne, M. Dragolovich and A. Picardo.

Tomorrow evening the rev gentleman will lecture in the Greek church on “The immortality of the soul” and on Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, on the “Divine Revelation.” Both these lectures will be free. A collection will be made on each occasion to pay off the before mentioned debt. The ability of the lecturer and the intensely interesting subjects to be treated, combined with the worthy object in view, will no doubt command a full audience on each occasion.2

Lecture on the Slavonic Race

Rev. Sebastian Dabovich gave a lecture on the Slavonic race in Webb hall on Tuesday evening before an audience of about 50 persons. The lecturer was introduced by Judge Rust, in a few appropriate remarks. He said it was an honor to this section that the only Greek church in California north of San Francisco was located in Jackson. There were only three of this denomination in the state—the others being in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The lecture was preceded by instrumental music by Nennie Spagnoli, accompanied by Miss Queenie Oulds on the piano. The rev lecturer then proceeded to give an interesting and instructive account of the origin, progress, language, literature, and rapid spread of the Slavonic people. Their number, under the Russian government, was one hundred million, and with those under other governments they totaled 130,000,000. Not alone in the arts of war was the race distinguished, but also in the nobler arts of peace it was making rapid studies. He predicted for it a great future, as one of the foremost civilizing influences of the world. He said Russia ought to have the support of all civilized nations in her work in Asia, especially in holding back the Chinese hordes from the invasion of western nations, as effectually as the Pacific Ocean held them in check on the east. The lecture was interspersed with a sample of old time Slav music, on one of the oldest musical instruments know to that race, by a Slavonian attired in native costume, who also gave an old fashioned song in his native tongue. A piano solo by Miss Oulds brought the entertainment to a close. The net proceeds, amounting to about $30, are for the purpose of paying off the debt upon the parsonage.3

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

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On Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock he will also lecture in the same church on the subject, “History authenticity and truthfulness of the gospel.” Admission to both lectures free.1

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

If you would like to purchase print copies of Beacon from the Bay for a personal or church library or bookstore, you may do so from Amazon. All support is greatly appreciated for this labor of love.

This is a digital edition of Beacon from the Bay: The Collected Works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich of Jackson and San Francisco, a several-month-long project to catalogue the out-of-print works of Saint Sebastian Dabovich, the first American-born Orthodox priest.

If you would like to purchase print copies of Beacon from the Bay for a personal or church library or bookstore, you may do so from Amazon. All support is greatly appreciated for this labor of love.