On Saturday, February 22nd, Father Aleks invited all newly engaged couples of our church to participate in St. Archangel Michael’s first pre-martial seminar, with a special guest, Father Radovan, from St. George in Schererville.
Eight couples listened as Father Aleks introduced the Gottman Method, a research-based approach to strengthening relationships. Developed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman, this method emphasizes key principles that foster a healthy and lasting marriage. Father Aleks discussed the importance of building a strong foundation of friendship, maintaining a culture of appreciation and respect, and using effective communication to navigate conflicts. He highlighted practical techniques such as active listening, recognizing emotional bids, and managing disagreements constructively rather than allowing negativity to take over. He encouraged couples to nurture their bond through small, daily acts of love and kindness.
Father Radovan provided a theological perspective, explaining how Adam and Eve symbolize marriage as a divine institution rather than a human-made construct. He emphasized that Eve was created as a helper for Adam, showing God’s intention for companionship and mutual support in marriage. He also delved into the rituals of the Serbian Orthodox marriage ceremony, explaining how they align with biblical teachings and serve to honor the sacrament of marriage. From the crowning of the couple as king and queen of their household to the shared cup of wine, each tradition reflects the sacred and lifelong commitment of marriage as a covenant before God.
This seminar provided a well-rounded perspective on marriage, combining practical relationship-building tools with spiritual insights, reinforcing the importance of a God-centered and emotionally connected marital bond.
In addition to the lectures, Church Kolo, Knjeginja Zorka, and Dragica Stojanovic from South Chicago/Lansing came together to prepare a delicious lunch for everyone in attendance, as well as gifted each couple an etched glass bottle for holy water and a beautiful cookbook filled with classic recipes for us to try. Participants had smiles on their faces as they enjoyed their meals and shared feedback on the event. We had a great time!
Thank you to everyone who participated in making the seminar a true success!
– Mileva Gvojic & Michael Josifovski