NEW ZEALAND: SERBIAN NEW YEAR ON THE BEACH! During the celebration, joyful news arrived as well – a permit for church construction has been obtained! (VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY)

On Saturday, with a small but justified delay, the Serbian New Year was celebrated in Auckland, New Zealand. Unlike the Balkans and America, this celebration was not marked by snow and deep subzero temperatures, but by sun, ocean, and the beach.

After local Serbs, for many reasons, abandoned the practice of New Year celebrations in restaurants, this was the second time they organized it in the beautiful setting of Long Beach Recreational Park, close to a lovely and large beach.

The celebration lasted the entire day, from morning until evening, with an organized lunch where, as expected, Serbian grilled specialties dominated.

LET IT BE KNOWN WHOSE NEW YEAR IT IS: Instead of under snow, a celebration under palm trees

The celebration was organized by the Serbian Orthodox Church of St. King Milutin the Serbian. The church board, the Circle of Serbian Sisters, and numerous volunteers prepared all the food, while the celebrants were only expected to bring drinks and, if they wished, make a donation for the construction of a new church.

There were close to 200 celebrants, many of whom spent an unforgettable day at the celebration with their families. There are otherwise about 2,000 Serbs in Auckland, so this turnout can be considered solid.

There was food in abundance: lamb and pork on the spit, 30 kg of ćevapi and the same amount of pljeskavice were eaten, and for gourmets there were also many different skewers and one huge pot of goulash.

IN AUCKLAND, JUST LIKE IN THE BALKANS! Piglet on the spit and goulash for gourmets

The weather was beautiful, mostly sunny, and the temperature of 26 degrees contributed to the high spirits. Young people played volleyball, women danced kolo, and men competed in tug-of-war.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: The young played volleyball, the older ones pulled the rope

With the help of a drone, a group photograph was taken with a huge Serbian flag, for remembrance and long-lasting memory.

Before the festive lunch, Protopresbyter Father Sava Antić blessed the food, and the president of the Church Board, with great excitement, announced the joyful news that at last, after several years of wrangling with municipal authorities, the permit for the construction of a new church had finally arrived.

JOYFUL NEWS: Father Sava Antić announced to the parishioners that the permit for the church had been obtained

The start of construction, at the site of the existing church (which will not be demolished but will only change its purpose), is planned for next year, when it is expected that all financial and organizational conditions will be met for this major step in the survival and improvement of the position of Orthodoxy in distant New Zealand.

PRESERVING SERBIAN IDENTITY AND ORTHODOXY AT ALL COSTS: Our correspondent with Father Sava

Although very far from their homeland, the greatest wish of all local Serbs is that both they and their descendants remain steadfast in preserving their faith, culture, language, and customs.