ST SAVA DAY CELEBRATION
AT ST. SAVA CATHEDRAL IN PARMA
Parma, Ohio - The annual St. Sava Day celebration held on Sunday Jan 29 began at 10am with Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating Liturgy were parish priest Rev. Fr. Zivojin Jakovljevic, V. Rev. Vasilije B. Sokolovic and deacon Milan Medakovic. The S.S.S. Njegos choir sang responses under the direction of Mr. Milan Damljanovic. Immediately following Divine Liturgy the Slavski Kolac, (special bread to be broken by all in attendance) prepared by Mrs. Joan Jakovich, and zito (prepared wheat to be shared by all, prepared by Ms. Zorica Nesic, were blessed. Also, two new crowns to be used for future weddings were blessed which were donated to the Cathedral by the day’s Honored Kumovi, V. Rev. and Mrs. Sokolovic and a new incense censor donated by an anonymous donor.
The glorious day continued into the main hall where a festive banquet prepared by the KSS women’s group, with president Mrs. Jelka Majstorevic, was awaiting all attendees. The program began with a prayer where the youth choir sang, under the direction of Mr. Milan Damljanovic.
It was a day for our children! All of the children, approximately 80, were seated together in the center of the hall. After lunch, the children quickly prepared themselves and came to the center stage where they opened the program with the American and Serbian national anthems followed by the St. Sava Hymn.
Then, the children one by one, gave recitations on the life of St. Sava. Ms. Loreen Solomon, emcee, welcomed the honored guests and thanked the parents, grandparents, and children for their great efforts and time dedicated to our Cathedral.
All of our teachers received special gifts and recognitions. Folklore dance groups performed under the direction of choreographers Milly Patijarevich, Marija Ivanovic, and Kristen Mate. Sunday school teachers were given special thanks including Millie Vovos, Dorothy Winovich, Wayne Vlainic, Zora Lytkowski (Sunday school principal), Laureen Solomon, Tatyana Knezevic and Svetlana Stepka.
Serbian language and history teachers Snezana Mrsic, Mira Lazic, and Dobrana Komnenic, and Ana Stankovic (Serbian school principal).
Enjoyed by all were a few special performances including four children who played several beautiful Serbian songs on violins and piano with voice. The preschool-2nd graders performed the Noah’s ark song. Also, one little boy sang a special song „baka“ which was dedicated to his grandmother. Finally, the Serbian school children gave a poetic description of the life of St. Sava.