On Sunday, July 13, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Longin celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Sts. Peter and Paul Serbian Orthodox Church in South Bend, Indiana. The occasion marked the parish’s Slava—the feast day of its patron saints, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.

The church, lovingly dedicated to these two pillars of the Church, was filled with faithful parishioners and guests who gathered to celebrate this sacred tradition. The liturgical celebration was followed by a festive luncheon, honoring both the parish’s heavenly protectors and the enduring spirit of the local Serbian Orthodox community.

This year’s honorary kuma was Danica Medich, whose generosity and faith were recognized during the celebration. Her dedication to the Church and the community reflects the spirit of Slava—a deep-rooted Serbian tradition that intertwines faith, family, and continuity.

The parish priest, Rev. Vladimir Lange, expressed his gratitude for the presence of Metropolitan Longin and all those who made the celebration a joyous and prayerful event. “The Slava is a time when the life of the Church and the life of the family are most clearly united,” he noted. “It reminds us of who we are and Whose we are.”

At the heart of the celebration is a centuries-old tradition that speaks to the soul of the Serbian people. One parishioner, Steve Michael, offered a personal and heartfelt reflection on the meaning of Slava:

Slava stands as a powerful symbol of Serbian religious identity. Through Slava, families reaffirm their lineage and history, with each celebration acting as an annual reunion that brings together generations, both living and deceased!

For many Serbs, Slava is a time to pause and reflect on heritage and the responsibilities of passing faith and values on to future generations. The tradition is often cited as a reason why, even through the centuries of hardship, war, and migration, the Serbian identity has remained resilient and cohesive.

To a Serb, Slava is far more than a date circled on the calendar—it is a living ritual, a celebration of faith and ancestry, and a testament to the endurance of family and tradition. Whether observed in a rural village in Serbia, South Bend, or thousands of miles away, Slava remains an unbreakable bond connecting the present to the past and offering hope for the future.

Through the simple acts of lighting a candle, breaking bread, and gathering together, Slava encapsulates the essence of Serbian spirituality and social life. In every sense, it is the soul of a people, quietly celebrated yet deeply treasured—an inheritance that endures the passage of time.

Cradle Serbs and other Orthodox Christians, your steadfastness anchors us. Your witness to the enduring strength of the tradition reminds us of our roots and our responsibility to honor those who came before. Converts, your enthusiasm and perspective help us to see the treasures of the Church anew. You remind us that faith is not something to be taken for granted, but a living relationship to be nurtured each day.

If we are to truly become the Church Christ calls us to be, we must walk together in humility and mutual respect. Let us share our stories, learn from one another, and worship side by side, so that our unity is not just spoken, but lived and felt through our relationship with one another. Let each cradle Orthodox Christian be inspired by the zeal of the convert; let each convert be comforted and strengthened by the deep roots of tradition. In this way, our faith will not only survive, but flourish.