CHURCH IN MAINE CELEBRATES SLAVA
Portland, Maine- On Sunday, September 14, 2008 the Portland parish celebrated their Church Slava, the Synaxis of the Serbian Saints. The celebration begun on Saturday with Vespers. His Grace Bishop Mitrophan was in attendance. Their church had recently been painted.
On the following day the celebration was continued with the Divine Liturgy, officiated by Bishop Mitrohan, who was assisted by V. Rev. Aleksandar Vlajkovic from the Boston parish, and the local clergy V. Rev. Ivan Marjanovic. The Boston choir, joined by a few parishioners from the Portland parish, sang the responses at the Divine Liturgy. Bishop Mitrofan delivered the homily in which he spoke of the the Serbian Saints, their lives and how they should be a model for all Christians and their life journey, keeping in mind that each Christian should first be a good person in heart.
The blessing of the Slava Kolach followed the liturgy with Slava host and kum Milorad Jovicic with his family who passed the Kolach on to Dragan Mojsilovic, who will be the serve as kum for next year. Besides the parishioners from Portland parish, V.Rev. Vasilis, of the Greek Church joined them as well as many from the Boston parish.
There was much singing, dancing and enjoyment until the late afternoon. The food was enjoyed by all, which was prepared by this year's kumovi, with help from the local Circle of Serbian Sisters. There were many reasons for the celebration including the new painting of the church and the new painted Iconostas.
The bishop left this northernmost parish of his diocese, in the evening hours. Parishioners were very thankful for being able to receive a blessing from the bishop, for the beautiful Slava celebration and returned to their homes waiting for the next Slava of St. Demetrius in two months.
V. Rev. Ivan Marjanovic