MISSION SLAVA CELEBRATED IN WEST VIRGINIA
Fairmont, WV - Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission Parish in Fairmont, West Virginia reached a new level of development with the Slava celebration on June 16, 2008. The Mission Chapel was full for this celebration with the honored presence of His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN.
The Mission was officially received into the Eastern American Diocese on Lazarus Saturday, April 15, 2000 when His Grace blessed the chapel and officiated at the first Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
Services are held at the Mission twice per month, normally on Saturdays. The Slava is generally celebrated on Pentecost Monday with Vespers, Blessing of the Slava Kolach and Koljivo.
Father Deacon Dragoslav Kosic, Diocesan Secretary, accompanied His Grace this year along with Djakonica Rosandra and daughters Anastasia and Theodora. Honored Kumovi for the Slava were Scott Tennant and Chrystal Ann Griffith.
Chrystal, now a grown teenager, frequently reads the Hours and Epistle when the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN remembered Chrystal was just a little girl when the chapel was originally blessed. Crystal distributed rose petals when His Grace arrived to begin the first Hierarchical Divine Liturgy more than eight years ago.
Scott Tennant is a regular altar server during the Divine Liturgies celebrated at the Holy Trinity Mission. Scott, Chrystal and young Michael Tennant who also was in attendance were the first three baptisms at the Mission. Mother Ann Tennant had reason to feel good at the Slava.
This year for the first time the Slava dinner was held indoors in the newly completed social area adjacent to the chapel. A number of individuals from St. George Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania were present to show their support.
St.George Choir Director Sonia Janson came to lead the responses at the Vesper service. St. George Executive Board President Stan Brozik was accompanied by his wife Karen. It was Karen's first visit to the Mission.
Milosh "Serb" Krewasky drove from Carmichaels with Josephine Gresko and was busy taking pictures throughout the service and dinner. Niko and Rose Illich and Maria Djonovich are regularly present at the Mission and always add to the joy of the Slava celebrations.
Last year's Kumovi Gojko and Anka Arbutina presented the traveling Slava icon to Scott Tennant and Chrystal Griffith to keep and honor until next year's Slava.
Sharren Paroda offered greetings in behalf of the Mission and thanked all in attendance for their gracious support. Sharren, her husband Dr. Charles Paroda and Mike Danko are the three remaining original adult members of the Mission.
New to the Slava celebration this year were Attorney Katica Trjkovski and college student Stevan Kosanovich. Katica moved to Fairmont from Detroit and Stephen is from Weirton, West Virginia. Local area residents Dennis Elliot and his wife Sandy also enjoyed the Slava as Dennis continues to pursue his interest in Orthodoxy.
Wayne Kirby, owner of Fairmont Graphics, the building in which the Mission is located, attended the dinner with his helper Roger. Wayne and Roger completed the extensive remodeling of the chapel last year and have brought the social area near to completion.
Mike Danko is always grateful for the services held at the Mission and was particularly inspired this year by the Slava celebration..
His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN spoke eloquently at the dinner about the Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles and empowering them to speak boldly about the Lord Jesus Christ.. His Grace's message about the unifying power of the Holy Spirit in our lives was of great interest to everyone present.
God has blessed the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission Parish from the very beginning. Each Slava celebration is an expression of thanksgiving to God and to everyone having a part in the creation and continued existence of the Mission.
Father Rodney Torbic