KUD Drina celebrates Feast day - Saint George of Kratovo

On Sunday, March 7th, 2021, the folk ensemble Drina of Saint John the Baptist parish in Paterson, New Jersey celebrated their Feast Day – Slava of Saint George of Kratovo. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was officiated by His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America. His Grace was joined in concelebration by the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Djokan Majstorovic, Rev. Presbyter Lavrentije (Larry) Soper, and Protodeacon Milos Zdralic.

In his homily, Bishop Irinej addressed the numerous faithful that had gathered by first stating questions that we often ask ourselves “How will God judge us?” and “What question await us in eternity?” Bishop Irinej answered by stating that the question is not about loving either God or man; rather the question is about loving equally God and man because God is love, and out of His love He created humankind and his image and likeness. His Grace emphasized that it is not essential, thereafter, if we have committed minor transgressions; rather it is essential that we do not lose sight of love, for that is when transgressions become sin. The Sunday of the Last Judgement is about love because God is love and where He is present, love is present and where love is present, God is present.

Following the prayer behind the ambo, His Grace served a memorial service for the newly departed Bishop Atanasije, retired bishop of Zahumlje-Herzegovina and the Littoral. Following the memorial service, the children gathered around His Grace to witness and partake of the blessing the Slava gifts of Wheat – Koljivo, wine and Festal Bread – Slavski kolach, and to their great joy turning the bread together. The children watched with delight as the Bishop and the young Host of the Slava, Dimitrije Dragisic, broke the bread, and as Miss Danijela Gagic accepted to be the host for the following year, by receiving a quarter of the blessed bread from the hands of this year’s host.

After the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, in accordance with local pandemic guidelines, the faithful gathered around their hierarch and together shared a well-prepared meal in celebration of the Slava.

Source: Eastern American Diocese