News and Events - May 2009
MONASTERY SLAVA IN LIBERTYVILLE
Libertyville, IL - On Sunday of the paralytic, the faithful of the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of St. Sava in Libertyville, Illinois together with their hierarch, His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan Christopher and local clergy, celebrated Church Slava, the Feast Day of burning relics of St. Sava. Hierarchical Liturgy began at 10 A.M.
“Sinan Pasha destroyed the body of Saint Sava, but not his glory and influence. Ignorance triumphed because it destroyed a cage from which the dove long ago had fled. But the joy of the Turks was of short duration, for as the flame subsided, a sudden fear seized them, and they ran to their homes and shut the doors behind them (…) The living soul of the Saint, however, looked triumphantly from the invisible world at the fire. For Sava’s lifelong desire to be also a martyr for Christ’s sake was not fulfilled. Therefore, with a smile of victory, Sava forgave Sinan Pasha, and blesses his Serbian people.” St. Nikolai wrote about the feast day.
A great number of faithful gathered. His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan Christopher served the Liturgy with co celebration by the following clergy: Singel Serafim (Milojkovic) and deacons Stanimir Spasovic and Nikola Radovancevic. St. Sava seminarians, 25 of them, did an excellent job leading and incorporating people into the Church and communal worship. Sermon was delivered by Marko Jakovljevic, II year seminary student. In the camp building the Ritual of the blessing of Slava Kolach took place.