In the Church of Saint Petka in Nashville, a work was recently created that in the most beautiful way connects two peoples and two traditions, Greek and Serbian, through a common Orthodox faith.
The song Two Peoples, One Heart was written by subdeacon Justin Tatules, a young Greek born and raised in Chicago, who completed his studies in Nashville.
During his stay in this city, together with his brother Jonathan, he became an inseparable part of the parish community at the Church of Saint Petka. Both of them regularly attend services and participate with great love in the life of the parish, and Serbian believers have long accepted them as their own.
They often jokingly say: “Greeks by birth, but Serbs by choice,” and it is precisely that deep connection and feeling of brotherhood that is expressed in this song, written sincerely, from the heart and with faith.
Two Peoples, One Heart
We all unto the Lord, our praises gladly sing,
Our prayers both begin with the bells’ sweet ring.
On mountain peaks and river beds as children did we play,
Gazing upon golden icons, our grandmothers taught us to pray.
In joy, and dance, and song, we shared a common sound,
In sadness, grief, and war, our strength was together found.
On Kosovo’s fields, with Saint Lazar, together we did bleed,
Our earthly lives we gave, for the true Orthodox creed.
Though slaves for 500 years, at last we both are now free,
We honor those who liberated all, who died for you and me.
Yes, our lands are united in a bond of love,
And for the brotherhood I thank the Lord above.
Though from this blessed family, one day I will depart,
I will take with me Greek blood, and a Serbian heart.
Justin Tatooles
“Such moments remind us that borders and origins disappear when Christ’s love unites us. Serbs and Greeks have stood together for centuries, and such testimonies confirm that the Orthodox faith is an unbreakable bond of our brotherhood,” said the parish priest, Father Bojan Banović.
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Source: Serbian Times, Photo: Privatna arhiva