On Sunday, June 1, 2025, the Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey, joyously celebrated its Patronal Feast - Slava- The Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The event was marked by the solemn celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, presided by His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, concelebrated by parish priest, Protopresbyter Aleksa Micich, and Deacon Vladimir Srbljak from Paterson, NJ. They were assisted by two postgraduate students of theology from St. Vladimir’s Seminary: Mihail Golic and Mihailo Vlajkovic, and joined by John Buffalini, Diocesan Treasurer. Melodious liturgical responses, enriching the service, were rendered by a group of local singers, led by Djakonica Bojana Srbljak and doctoral candidate at Fordham University, Srdjan Maksimovic. The church was filled with parishioners from New York and New Jersey.

Following the reading of the Gospel lection, His Grace gave an edifying sermon on the deep spiritual meaning of the Ascension, which unites heaven and earth, and which we experience at every liturgy, whereby heaven descends and earth ascends. The Ascension is also the crowning glory of Christ’s earthly ministry, wherein He, as perfect God and perfect man, ascends to heaven in the flesh and sits at the Right Hand of the Father in the same glory which was His before all ages. As such, He provides for us salvation as a path from earth to heaven.  

Following the service, a generous, festive luncheon was hosted for a capacity crowd by the hosts, kumovi, of the Slava, Predrag and Žikica Mladenović, together with their family. Joining in the celebration we Protopresbyters-Stavrophores Zoran Radović of the sister parish in Elizabeth, and Djokan Majstorović of Paterson, New Jersey. The luncheon program featured an exuberant performance by parishioners, renown guitarists and singers, Vukan and Srdjan, adding a vibrant cultural addition to the celebration. Vukan Stanišic received the festal bread - slavski kolač, and with it the Slava, from the hand of this year’s host, to be the host - kum for next year’s patronal feast. 

The sense of pure joy, warm hospitality, a bounteous table of love - agape, and delightful music continued well on into the late hours of the afternoon to the pleasure of all gathered to celebrate the parish feast - the Ascension of Our Lord.