On Saturday, October 18th 2025, at the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Lazarus – Ravanica, a joyful celebration and thanksgiving dinner were held on the occasion of the complete repayment of the new church property, valued at $960,000.
In a prayerful and joyful atmosphere, a large number of parishioners gathered together with their priest, Father Aleksandar Vujkovic, to offer gratitude to God for His mercy and blessings, which made it possible for our Church to purchase and fully pay off the new property.
In his address, Father Aleksandar especially emphasized the importance of unity and prayer, saying that through faith and prayer, God builds His Church. He also expressed deep thanks and recognition to all those who contributed to the repayment of the new property through their voluntary offerings and donations, noting that every gift—whether large or small—was an expression of love for God and His Holy Church.
During the evening, the children of our Ravanica parish shared heartfelt and sincere words about what the Church means to them, beautifully showing that the Church is not merely a building of stone, but the living body of the faithful, a place of love, prayer, and spiritual growth.
Following this, the president of the Church-School Congregation, Mr. Ognjen Šaran, addressed those gathered and offered his thanks to everyone who helped in the purchase and repayment of the new church property. He then conducted the burning of the mortgage, a symbolic act that marked the full repayment of the loan for the new church property. This special moment was met with great joy and enthusiasm from all present.
This event marks a significant achievement and one of the first steps toward fulfilling our shared vision—the building of a new church and cultural center, to the glory of God and for the spiritual benefit of present and future generations.
