With great joy and gratitude, the Parish of the Meeting of Our Lord in Naples, Florida, celebrated its patronal feast on Saturday, February 15. The occasion was blessed by the presence of His Grace, Bishop Irinej of Washington–New York and Eastern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who arrived two days prior to become more closely acquainted with the life and activities of our growing parish.
His Grace’s visit began with a dinner alongside the parish trusteeship president, Mr. William Slepcevich; vice president and this year’s kum, Mr. Walter Vlado Vasich; and our parish priest.
The following day, Bishop Irinej visited Faith Lutheran Church, which generously offered the use of its temple and social hall for our celebration. This was made possible in great part through the personal friendship and longstanding acquaintance between Mr. William Slepcevich and Pastor Donald Treglown, whose warm hospitality and kindness greatly contributed to the success of our celebration. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Pastor Treglown and Pastor Owen Duncan, whose gracious assistance ensured a dignified and prayerful service.
That afternoon, Bishop Irinej visited our newly established church school and folklore group, where he had the opportunity to meet with the children as they prepared for the Slava program. This special encounter allowed the youth to engage with their bishop, ask questions, and experience firsthand the loving care of their spiritual father.
The evening concluded with a gathering at Crème de la Crème Café in Naples, where members of the Circle of Serbian Sisters and mothers of the church school children enjoyed fellowship with the bishop. This was a beautiful occasion for discussing ideas and aspirations for the future growth of our parish and its auxiliary organizations.
The Feast Day Celebration
On the morning of our patronal feast, the faithful gathered to greet His Grace, Bishop Irinej, as he arrived at our place of worship. He was prayerfully welcomed by:
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Fr. Hans (St. Peter Antiochian Orthodox Church)
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Fr. Gabriel (St. Polycarp Romanian Orthodox Church)
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Fr. Aleksandar (St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church)
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Fr. Paul (St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church)
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Fr. Vladislav, our parish priest
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Dn. Sreten (St. George Serbian Orthodox Church)
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and many faithful who assembled for the Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated with great solemnity and joy, with the participation of our dedicated parishioners and many children. The newly formed church choir, under the direction of Mr. Milorad Golusin, enriched the service with beautiful hymnography.
In his homily, Bishop Irinej delivered an inspiring message, emphasizing the profound significance of the feast and the importance of steadfast faith. His words resonated deeply with our congregation, as well as with the many Orthodox guests from neighboring parishes who joined us in this celebration.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the traditional Slava gifts were blessed, and the Slava bread was broken together with this year’s kumovi, Walter and Marina Vasich. It was announced that Danka Malivuk will be the kuma for next year’s celebration, continuing this cherished tradition.
Following the service, in accordance with the sacred customs of our Holy Church, the newly elected and appointed officers of the parish trusteeship and auxiliary organizations solemnly took their pledge of office before their hierarch, committing themselves to faithfully serve the parish and the Serbian Orthodox Church in its entirety.
Special Recognitions
On this auspicious occasion, three Hierarchical Grammatas were conferred as a mark of gratitude for dedicated service:
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Ms. Aleksandra Ugrica, in recognition of her leadership as the first president of the Circle of Serbian Sisters.
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Ms. Irina Fedosova and Mr. Strahinja Lacković, for their generosity in offering their dance studio as a space for our church school and folklore group.
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St. Paul Parish, for its unwavering support and dedication in serving the spiritual needs of our parishioners over the years.
The Feast of Love
Following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful gathered for a festal banquet, a true extension of the Eucharistic joy. The church school children delighted those in attendance with a special program, performing songs and dances they had diligently prepared. Their enthusiasm and devotion were a source of immense joy and pride for their families and the entire parish community.
Our Holy Church has long been the guardian of our faith, traditions, and cultural heritage, ensuring that these sacred treasures are passed down to future generations. It is in the Church that we find our unity, our strength, and our hope for the future.
A festive meal, generously prepared and served by Mediterrano Restaurant, was enjoyed by all. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Milos Ljubenovic and his dedicated team for their continued support and hospitality.
A special thank you to our photographer of the day, Hrisi Udrescu, whose remarkable talent captured the most precious moments of our celebration, preserving them for generations to come.
Truly, this was a magnificent celebration of our parish’s third Slava since its official inception. We pray that Almighty God may continue to grant us strength and courage to witness His Holy Name, for the growth and flourishing of His Church.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this joyous celebration — whether through planning, organizing, setting up the church and hall, providing for the service, program, and luncheon, or simply through their presence and prayers. Your dedication and love for our Church are truly invaluable.
To all who attended and made this celebration unforgettable — may the grace and blessings of the Lord be with you always!
Many blessed years! Многаја љета!
Source: meetingofourlord.com
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