The celebration of Vrbica on Lazarus Saturday, April 27, 2024, at St. George Serbia Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, brought together 35 children, which included not only Serbian children, but also Romanian, Greek, Ukrainian, Russian, Ethiopian, and converts including three children who are in the process of becoming Orthodox along with their parents. In addition, there were about 40 adults participating in the program. 

This was a full and beautiful workshop, which was developed according to the guidelines provided by the Diocesan Commission for Religious Education. The day’s program included baking of Lazarakia bread (a tradition from Cyprus of baking small bread in the shape of Lazarus: https://akispetretzikis.com/en/recipe/lazarakia/print.pdf), making of willow wreaths (a tradition from Belgrade) and of stringing bells, a story about candles (we used this book), along with candle making, learning of the Troparion in both languages, and a class on the icons of the church led by the church's iconographer. The workshop went from 1:00 to 5:00, and was followed by a procession, vespers, and a Lenten dinner. 

This is the first time this community has celebrated Vrbica with a workshop, which makes this even more impressive all the way around!

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