MONASTERY MARCHA CELEBRATES SLAVA
Richfield, Oh - Monastery Marcha holds a special place of honor in the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Monastery Marcha with Abbess Mother Ana and Sister Anastasia is the primary women’s monastery in the Diocese.
Beloved Orthodox believers and friends of Monastery Marcha come to Richfield, Ohio where the monastery is located throughout the year. The celebration of Marcha’s Slava, the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel(July 13/26) is always a special time at the monastery.
This year Reverend Father Milorad Orlic on Friday July 27, 2007 served the Great Vespers for the celebration. Sister Anastasia assisted by Popadija Milena Orlic sang the responses.
On Saturday July 28, His Grace Bishop Dr.MITROPHAN, Diocesan Bishop, officiated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with seven priests and two deacons serving.
Serving with His Grace were: Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rastko Trbuhovich, Protopresybter Stavrofor Rade Merick, Protopresbyter Dr.Rodney Torbic, Protonamesnik Zivojin Jakovljevic, Reverend Father Milorad Orlic, Reverend Father Isak Kisin, Reverend Father Elias(Russian Orthodox Church Abroad), Father Deacon Milan Medakovich, and Father Deacon Dragolsav Kosic. Diocesan clergy also present at the Divine Liturgy were Protopresbyter Milan Zobenica, Protopresbyter Dragan Filipovic, Protonamesnik Milovan Katanic and monastic Father Seraphim. Father Yves Babich (Orthodox Church in America) was present as well.
Father Milorad Orlic and Popadija Milena Orlic were the honored Kumovi. His Grace expressed joy for the wonderful singing by the monastery faithful mentioning specifically Anita and Dr.Nikola Resanovich and his family.
Father Zivojin Jakovljevic, Dean of nearby St.Sava Cathedral was given the blessing by His Grace to preach the homily on St.Archangel Gabriel. Father Jakovljevic spoke about the appearances of the Holy Archangel as recorded in the Old and New Testament.
At the Slava dinner following the Divine Liturgy, Mother Ana greeted the faithful and expressed her love and prayers for all present. Nikola Borata expressed his continued interest and support in the monastery by his presence and remarks. Father Milorad and Popadija Milena Orlic spoke of their love and appreciation for Monastery Marcha. His Grace Bishop Dr.MITROPHAN maintains a keen and steadfast interest in the growth of Monastery Marcha and this is reflected not only the celebration today but throughout the year.
A very large number of supporters of the monastery came from as far away as Mckeesport, Pennsylvania and Lackawanna, New York as well as from throughout Ohio and nearby areas of Pennsylvania.
Father Rodney Torbic