ST ARCHANGEL MICHAEL SERBIAN CHURCH IN AKRON CELEBRATES SLAVA
Akron, OH - St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church of Akron, Ohio, festively celebrated its patronal feast on Sunday, November 23, 2008.
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was officiated by His Grace the Right Rev. Bishop Dr. Mitrophan, assisted by V. Rev. Peter Burlakov (St. Sergius ROCOR, Cleveland, OH - retired), V. Rev. Fr. Zvonimir Kotorcevic (Akron, OH – retired), V. Rev. Fr. Stevan Zaremba (St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, St. Petersburg, FL), parish priest Protonamesnik Dragomir Tuba and Deacon Zeljko Jurisic. The Kosovo Men's Choir beautifully sang the responses.
To the joy of the parish and visiting faithful, parish Priest Dragomir Tuba was elevated to the rank of Protopresbyter by His Grace Bishop Mitrophan.
The Episcopal Decree states: “Zeal and love in pastoral ministry, a moral family example, and years of labor on the improvement of spiritual and religious parish life entrusted to him, and especially in the work of helping of our people who were driven out of our Serbian Lands, made us to award Protonamesnik Dragomir Tuba with the rank of Protopresbyter.” AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! We extend sincere congratulations to prota Dragomir, protinica Kristina, their children and the entire Tuba and Kostur families.
The joyous slava feast continued upon the completion of Divine Liturgy with the Ritual of the Blessing of the Slavski Kolach. At the banquet in the church social hall, Prota Dragomir introduced the honored Kumovi Dan and Kathi Kunzin and the distinguished guests on the dais.
His Grace Bishop Mitrophan bestowed a Gramata upon Mr. Dragan Jovanovic for his selfless efforts and dedication to the parish for voluntarily making renovations and repairs in the church social hall. Dragan’s wife Marina humbly accepted the Gramata on Dragan’s behalf.
The most recent parish project was the vital repair of the hall roof which had been leaking extensively. The lowest estimate came in at $18,000.00. Thanks to Dragan and other hardworking stewards, the entire cost of the project was reduced to $3200.00. Each of the individuals involved in this project was now gifted with a blessed icon as an expression of sincere gratitude from the entire parish.
Prota Dragomir warmly thanked Kosovo Choir for their beautiful responses, and, as always, the sisters, under the leadership of Kolo Sestara President Anita Ondreyka, for their wonderful preparation of the slava feast. It was wonderful to see the social hall filled with parishioners, friends, children of all ages, from near and far, who came to share in this celebration. Drago Micic provided the musical entertainment for Sunday’s banquet.
Traditionally Akron’s annual slava celebration is enhanced on the eve of the feast by the children's Annual Folklore Festival. Nine guest groups answered this year’s invitation and happily traveled from Toronto, Niagara Falls, Kitchener, Hamilton, Windsor, Cleveland, Akron (St. Demetrius), Warren, and St. Petersburg. These talented young people performed exceedingly well with great artistry and provided our guests with an outstanding program of culture, music, and dance. God bless you all!