On Sunday, the Resurrection of Christ was solemnly celebrated in Serbian Orthodox churches throughout the United States of America, and the overcrowded temples from Miami to San Francisco bear witness to the fact that our people in the diaspora have not lost their connection with their tradition and spirituality.
What is most pleasing is that there were many young people and children in the churches, which awakens hope that they will be full in the future as well, when these young people become parents, fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers.
For Easter, our reporters recorded the atmosphere in three holy sites in the largest Serbian city outside of Serbia, Chicago, as well as celebrations in Orthodox churches in Nashville.
In the Church of St. Stefan of Decani, the Easter liturgy was served by Father Aleksandar Petrovic, with the concelebration of the legendary Protopresbyter Stoiljko Kajevic and young priests, and the church was too small to receive all those who came to hear the liturgy and receive communion.
In the Holy Resurrection Cathedral, the liturgy was served by Bishop Serafim Baltic with the head of the church, Father Darko Spasojevic, and priests Dobrivoje Milunovic and Nikolaj Kostur.
In Lyons, a suburb of Chicago, in the newly consecrated Church of St. Nicholas, the liturgy was served by Father Nemanja Tesic with the clergy, and the liturgy was beautified by the voices of the members of the singing ensemble “Zlatni vez,” which consists of girls from this parish.
In Nashville, in the fastest-growing Orthodox parish in America, the liturgy was served by Father Bojan Banovic, with the assistance of reader Luka Opacic.
For the children, a race in sacks and with Easter eggs was organized, and the best ones received appropriate Easter gift packages…
In the Church of St. Sava in San Gabriel, near Los Angeles, the liturgy was served by Father Predrag Bojovic, and the hardworking parishioners made an effort to prepare a rich menu and beautiful decorations for the Easter lunch.
In the end, as is fitting, a kolo was danced. Everything according to Serbian custom!
In the Church of St. Nicholas in Monroeville, in the American state of Pennsylvania, the service was conducted by Father Stefan Djoric, and the temple was filled with members of the fourth and fifth generations of Serbs in America, who, however, have not forgotten their origins and their Orthodox faith.
It was also festive in Miami, where Father Milan Krstic served the Easter liturgy in the Church of St. Simeon in the presence of a large number of believers. In recent years, many Serbs have moved to the largest city in the state of Florida from the north, from Chicago and New York, so Father Milan has more and more parishioners at every service.
Take a look at the gallery of photos taken for the greatest Christian holiday…
And so that after the liturgy the parishioners would have something to serve themselves, a hardworking group of hostesses and hosts made an effort, cleaning, preparing, kneading, and indeed turning things on the spit…
On the East Coast, in the most numerous Serbian parish of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, in the state of New Jersey, the Easter liturgy was served by Father Djokan Majstorovic with the concelebration of the clergy.
And we bring you recordings from the Midnight liturgy, which was attended by a large number of Orthodox believers, Serbs and other nations who pray to God in our holy shrine, followed by the traditional procession around the church…
Author: Antonije Kovačević Video/Photo: Antonije Kovačević, Crkvene arhive