St Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

This is a church founded by Serbians who came to USA and who had pure hearts and excellent vision. The church is gorgeous and the services lovely. I’ve been several times and always feel God in this church. My only complaint is the younger generation who don’t seem to know that modest dress in a house of God is important. There is a time and place for everything, and here… it is to go deep and commune with God. I love St. Steven’s and feel grateful to have the opportunity to worship here.

They have most wonderful young adult group on Thursday evenings with a free dinner and intriguing topic.

I’m going to compare churches to something Unilocalers are very familiar with: sushi. You either love it or hate it. No one tends to really be in the middle. I’m not going to lie: I am not a regular church attendee. However, I appreciate that they are almost like a business nucleus when it comes to important life rituals. People use them for weddings, baptisms, Christenings, funerals, etc. Plus, who else do you turn to when you need help with an exorcism?
Unfortunately, my boyfriend’s father recently passed away while living in Serbia so my boyfriend had to jet-​set to Eastern Europe for the funeral. Orthodox tradition calls for a memorial 40 days after an individual’s passing which in this case, was also positive for the members of the LA-​based family whom didn’t get to travel to Serbia. St. Steven’s was his father regular church so we called up to make arrangements for the memorial service.
St. Steven’s was smooth and easy as pie with the arrangements. They explained the service, dates available, and took reins on preparations for the program handout (we merely had to fax a photo of his father), and for the luncheon to follow afterwards in their church hall. Everything was easy to take care of and the flow of communication was steady and consistent.
The memorial went without a hitch and was quick but symbolic and beautiful. The ceremony certainly brought a much needed closed door. The luncheon was very efficiently served and included appetizers (pita/​dip, cheese), main course (chicken quarters, mushroom rice risotto, Serbian pickled cabbage, corn, and bread) and dessert (rugala, raspberry coffee cake, and vanilla cake) with several beverages available (bottled water, coffee, beer, and soda). The food wasn’t the greatest in flavor (kind of bland although the chicken was delicious!) but the fast service and quantity was unmatched. The hall was slightly odd with paintings on the wall of what looked like George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Martin Luthor, and a Spanish Conquistador– at a Serbian church– but was spacious and airy.
The Serbian folk dancing group also practices here and the teacher is super sweet. St. Steven’s also has some of the most beautiful views in Alhambra/​Monterey Park sequestered in the hills and mountains. Esthetically, the church is GORGEOUS inside and out and is prime for wedding photos.
You can relax, we can stop talking about churches. But give St. Steven’s a ring if you want to plan a ritualistic event with ease.