Yesterday, on Holy Saturday, in the Church of Saint Archangel Michael in Hot Springs, in the state of Arkansas, a special and deeply moving moment for the Orthodox community took place. Priest Tomislav Savić baptized nine Americans who decided to embrace the Orthodox faith, thereby becoming part of the spiritual family of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
This event represents another confirmation of the vitality and missionary spirit of Orthodoxy on the American continent, especially in parishes that have a long history and deep roots among Serbian immigrants. However, as Father Tomislav points out, the structure of the faithful has changed significantly over time.
“Once, this parish was composed mainly of Serbs, while today the majority of active members of our church are Americans who have converted to the Orthodox faith. Since I came to this parish two years ago, I have baptized about 30 Americans who embraced Orthodoxy,” Father Tomislav told the Serbian Times, adding:
“I would like you to publish and share this as a testimony that the Serbian Orthodox Church today has a very successful mission of spreading the Orthodox faith among the American people, and that more and more Americans are finding their meaning in life and spiritual home in the Orthodox Church.”
These words bear witness to a strong spiritual search that transcends the boundaries of nation and language, but also to the role that the Serbian Orthodox Church plays in the modern world – not only as a guardian of tradition, but as a living community that attracts new believers.
On the very day of Easter, this event gains an even deeper meaning – as a symbol of a new beginning, renewal, and spiritual birth. The baptism of nine new believers just before the greatest Christian holiday represents a strong message of hope and faith.
Well done, Father Tomislav. And a Happy Easter to our new Orthodox brothers and sisters! Christ is risen!
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Source, Photo: Serbian Times