FESTAL CELEBRATION OF THE PARISH SLAVA AND TWO IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARIES

The celebration of the parish feast day—the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael and all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven—began with Great Vespers on Tuesday, November 20. The festal observances continued the following day, on the very feast itself. The Divine Liturgy was served, followed by a procession (litija) around the church. The prayerful celebration concluded with the elevation and blessing of the festal gifts prepared in honor of the Holy Archangel Michael by this year’s kumovi, the Plavšić family.

The formal Slava banquet and cultural program were held on Saturday, November 22. The evening began with Vespers, at which His Eminence Metropolitan Mitrofan offered his prayerful presence. Vespers was served by Protopresbyter Marko Radmanović, parish priest of St. Sava Church. At the kliros sang Protopresbyter Vuk Milišić, rector of St. Sava Church and diocesan deacon, together with Deacon Petar Marjanović, who accompanied the Metropolitan on his visit. Liturgical responses were offered by the church choir Obilić.

Following Vespers, the festal gifts were blessed in the hall, and the kum for the coming year was chosen—Mr. Goran Bućan. A Slava dinner and program followed. The evening opened with the singing of the national anthem Bože pravde, after which the parish priest, Protopresbyter Sinisa Milutinović, offered words of greeting and congratulated the parish on two significant jubilees: the 20th anniversary of the consecration of the church and the 50th anniversary of the soccer club “Beli Orlovi.” On that occasion, Fr. Sinisa presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Njegoš Forcan, assistant coach of Beli Orlovi.

The cultural program continued with performances by the Obilić choir, the members of the amateur theatre group Agape, and the first ensemble of the folklore group Mlada Srbadija. After the program, Jelena and Dragan Petrović provided music and entertainment for the gathered faithful and guests.

The celebration continued on Sunday, November 23, with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy served by His Eminence Metropolitan Mitrofan, together with Archimandrite Petar of the Russian Church, Protopresbyter Marko Radmanović, Protopresbyter Sinisa Milutinović, and Deacon Petar Marjanović. In his archpastoral homily, the Metropolitan reminded the faithful of the call to live the Christian life in love for God and for one another.

Following the Liturgy, a festal luncheon was prepared by the dedicated sisters of the Kolo Srpskih Sestara Kosovka Devojka. Students of the Serbian School St. Basil of Ostrog and the youngest members of the folklore group Mlada Srbadija offered a short program for a hall filled with parishioners and guests.

Protopresbyter Sinisa Milutinović