The Pilgrim Preacher
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The Everyday Mysteries

Fr. Bart's blog and musings on the wonders of everyday life

A Monument to Orthodox Miners

3/26/2019

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During the week I preached a Lenten Mission in the Gold-country town of Jackson, CA, I was blessed to have a tour of the beautiful little St. Sava Church that has served the Serbian Orthodox community of that are since 1894. Many of the Catholic Churches in the region bear the name of St. Patrick, betraying the Irish heritage of many of the miners who found a home in the region during the Gold Rush.  Likewise many of the small towns around the region have Orthodox Churches revealing that many of those who worked the mines came to California from Eastern Europe.  
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I am very grateful to Fr. Marko Bojovich for taking the time to share this incredible treasure with me.
St. Sava Church in Jackson (named for the 12th C. founding Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church) was founded by a a San Francisco born Orthodox Monk name Sebastian Dabovich, who became the first orthodox missionary in North America and was responsible for founding many of the Churches in California.  Fr. Sebastian has been canonized by the Serbian Orthodox church and is remembered among the faithful as "St. Sebastian of Jackson."  His relics are present for veneration in the Church's sanctuary and are a source of great pride for Jackson's Serbian community.
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Fr. Marko shared this Holy Card of the Church's Founder. He is depicted in the Icon holding an image of St. Sava in Jackson.
Set in a small valley not far from the Kennedy Mine and surrounded by the graves of a century of Orthodox faithful, the white church with its central bell tower stands out in the landscape.  Externally it resembles any number of simple country churches of many Christian denominations one might encounter all over the United States, but the interior of the Church could never be mistaken for anything other than an Orthodox Church. Every inch of the interior is covered with rich iconography.  The icons were completed over a 13 year period by Serbian iconographer, Miloje Milinkovich in celebration of the church's centenary.  They were dedicated in 2009. 
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    The Joyful Friar

    These are the everyday musings and reflections from the life of Father Bart Hutcherson, OP, a Catholic Priest and Dominican Friar from the Western United States.  I toyed with the idea of using the title "Ordinary Time" for this blog, but was afraid that people might be looking for deep liturgical reflections under that title. Nothing so sublime here - just the day-to-day.  My friend, Carrie Rehak, suggested the title "The Everyday Mysteries." I love it.  it captures my understanding of the everyday.  God makes himself known in the everyday. I hope he reveals himself in some of these reflections too.

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​Fr. Bartholomew Hutcherson, OP, "The Pilgrim Preacher" is an Itinerant Preacher and member of the Western Dominican Province Preaching Team.  He is available for retreats, conferences, and Parish Missions.  He offers pilgrimages periodically and shares images and reflections on this website as "virtual pilgrimages."  
  • Fr. Bart
    • About
    • Calendar
    • Contact Fr. Bart
    • External Links
  • ALASKA BOOK
  • Missions & Retreats
  • Pilgrimages
    • Praying the Holy Rosary in the Holy Land
    • Virtual Pilgrimage: California Missions
    • Virtual Pilgrimage: American Saints
  • Blogs
    • The Everyday Mysteries
    • The Joy of the Gospel
    • Dashboard Jesus
    • Camino de Santiago