The festive gathering began with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, presided over by His Grace Bishop Serafim (Baltić) of Kostajnica, Vicar to His Eminence Archbishop of New Gračanica and Chicago and Metropolitan of Midwestern America Longin. Concelebrating with him were the abbot of this holy monastery, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Dr. Sergije (Puškar); the Very Reverend Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Miloš Vesin; and a large gathering of clergy and monastics from our Diocese.
A great number of faithful took part in the prayerful gathering, coming together to offer their prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos, the protectress and patroness of this holy monastery.
The solemn beauty of the divine services was enhanced by the reverent and harmonious chanting of the bishops and student choirs.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the festal slava kolac was blessed and cut, after which a solemn procession around the church took place. In a spirit of thanksgiving to the Lord and trust in the intercessions of the Most Holy Mother of God, the faithful gathered to celebrate the feast of Her Holy Protection, which for centuries has stood as a symbol of Her unfailing care and love for the Christian people.
This year’s celebration was further enriched by the blessing of several mosaics, a precious gift to the monastery from the Diocesan Circle of Serbian Sistersc(KOLO). These include a mosaic depicting God’s Creation, featuring beautiful images of birds in the Garden of Paradise; a mosaic of the coat of arms of the Serbian Patriarchate; and mosaics portraying Patriarch Pavle of Serbia and Metropolitan Irinej of blessed memory. Through their devoted and self-sacrificing service, these hierarchs left a profound and enduring mark on the life of the Serbian Orthodox Church, particularly on its mission throughout the American continent.
Unfortunately, His Eminence Metropolitan Longin was unable to attend this year’s Slava gathering. With the blessing our Patriarch, His Holiness Porfirije of Serbia, he had accepted an invitation from His Eminence Metropolitan Siluan of Australia and New Zealand to participate in an important ecclesiastical gathering in faraway Australia, representing the Serbian delegation on the Fifth Continent and serving as one of the predecessors on the throne of the Bishops of Australia and New Zealand.
His participation in this significant gathering bears witness to the Serbian Orthodox Church’s unceasing pastoral care for its people, wherever they may live throughout the world.
The name of Metropolitan Longin is forever associated with one of the significant chapters in the recent history of the Serbian Orthodox Church on the American continent: the efforts to overcome divisions and restore ecclesiastical unity.
Through his archpastoral ministry, guided by humility, brotherly love, and fidelity to the Church, Metropolitan Longin, together with the ever-memorable Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Irinej, is counted among the hierarchs whose contributions to reconciliation and the restoration of unity among the Serbian people left a particularly profound mark. Their historic efforts remain a lasting testimony that love and forgiveness are the foundations upon which the life of the Church rests.
The festivities continued with a festal slava luncheon in the monastery’s large dining hall, where those gathered shared a meal in the spirit of Christian love and fellowship, continuing their joyful celebration of this holy feast.
Most Holy Mother of God, save us!
