Sunday, November 26th, was a joyous day of celebration and fellowship at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh as the Nikola Tesla Men’s Club celebrated their Patronal Feast Day - Slava in honor of St. Archangel Michael. The Festal Bread – Slavski kolach was meticulously decorated and prepared by Mrs. Mira Budeša, wife of recent past president Dragan Budeša. Following the Divine Liturgy, as is their forte, the members of the Tesla Men’s Club prepared a delicious meal of traditional fare for their guests, complete with exquisite pastries for dessert and gracious hosting by their members. The first to donate to recent capital campaigns for the current roof replacement project, the Nikola Tesla Men’s Club are stalwart supporters of the cathedral.

Many were in attendance for Divine Liturgy with Fr. Nebojša Varagić officiating, a recurring phenomenon, given his peaceful and kind nature as well as his heartfelt delivery of edifying homilies. As with each successive Sunday since his interim assignment to our Holy Trinity Cathedral, the number of communicants, children in attendance, and overall support that the parishioners have demonstrated - today was exemplary. Fr. Nebojsa introduced three new altar servers to the delight of the congregation, including two school-aged as well as one young adult professional. The church school children have been upholding the tradition of chanting the epistle, with Milena Winowich doing an outstanding job today. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Fr. Nebojša graciously reminded parishioners of the upcoming Nativity Fast and encouraged all to uphold abstinence of not only foods but from partaking in soul-destroying thoughts and actions and to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Confession and Communion, citing the wisdom of the Holy Fathers. Fr. Nebojša’s appeal was clearly evident as the church school children were surrounding him in the social room during the luncheon, several of whom were petitioning to also become altar servers and epistle readers!

At Holy Trinity Cathedral, we are blessed with active and supportive ancillary organizations including our Circle of Serbian Sisters - Kolo Srpskih Sestara, Nikola Tesla Men’s Club, Parent’s Group, Cathedral Choir, and young Jedinstvo Folklore Ensemble - together with the guidance and support of Fr. Nebojša and Popadija Jovana, we enter into the Nativity Fast with eager anticipation of the Feast of the Nativity, the commemoration of the birth of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ to the Most Holy Theotokos.