SOYA NSW celebrates its Patronal Feast

On Saturday, 22 March 2014, the Serbian Orthodox Youth Association of Australia and New Zealand (SOYA) marked its Patronal Feast, St Nicholai of Zhicha at the St Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church and Community Centre in Blacktown. The cutting of the Festal Bread was celebrated by Fr Miodrag Peric, Dean of the New South Wales Deanery, representing His Grace Bishop Irinej of Australia and New Zealand, together with Fr Srboljub Miletich from the Rooty Hill parish of St Stephen, and Fr Djordje Veselinovic, SOYA NSW Spiritual Advisor and host priest. Present also was the SOYA National President, Pedja Srebro. The tireless members of the local "Mother Jugovich" Circle of Serbian Sisters prepared a lovely lenten meal that was enjoyed by all present.During the course of the day, the SOYA NSW members held their annual assembly and elected the following officers:

Coordinator - Angela Ostojic
Secretary - Aleksander Ostojic
PR Officer - Dragan Veselinovic
Event Officer - Maja Gnjatovic
Education Officer - Nikola Popovic

PR Assistant - Aleksandra Popovic
Event Assistant - Tijana Petrovic
Education Assistant - Jelena Sarovic

According to National President Pedja, the majority of those elected are in their early 20's, and he is looking forward to seeing them bring something fresh and new to SOYA NSW.

If anyone ages 18 to 35 is interested in becoming a member of SOYA, which is under the patronage of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church, membership forms can be accessed at www.soya.org.au.