Save the Date - The Day the Serbian Flag Flew at the White House
Save the Date!
The Day the Serbian flag flew
at the White House!
A Centennial Commemoration :
July 28, 1918-2018
The upcoming centennial of the historic flying of the Serbian flag at the White House and President Woodrow Wilson’s Proclamation of a Day of Prayer for Serbia will be commemorated this July with a series of events in Washington, DC, the Diocese of Eastern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church announced today.
The commemorative events are being held with the blessings of the Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America and under the Episcopal Patronage of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America.
“Our Centennial Commemoration finds its beginning on August 29, 1915. Archimandrite Nicholai Velimirovich, together with Professor Mihailo Idvorsky Pupin, co-chaired a meeting at the Amsterdam Opera House in New York City to evoke sympathy for the Serbian nation and its plight during the Great War. From there, a resolution was forwarded to President Woodrow Wilson confirming their support for the Allies.
“Responding in kind on July 28, 1918, the President noted, ‘the principles for which Serbia has so nobly fought and suffered are those for which the United States is fighting. . .’ Raising the Serbian Flag at the White House, President Wilson appealed to the people of the United States of all faiths and creeds, to assemble in their places of worship and prayerfully pay tribute. Consequently, this Centennial Year also embraces the breaking through of the Salonika Front and, with it, the liberation of Serbia and the conclusion of World War I,” said His Grace Bishop Irinej, diocesan host hierarch and episcopal patron.
Wednesday, July 25th
11:00am - All interested in attending the Opening of House of Representatives Prayer by His Grace Bishop Irinej to meet at designated area of US Capitol. Details to be provided to registrants by email.
Noon - His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America will deliver the Opening Prayer for the House of Representatives at the US Capitol Building. The prayer will be followed by speeches by Members of Congress on the Centennial commemoration. Registrants will be able to watch from the House Gallery.
1:00pm - 5:00pm - Serbian-Americans in Washington, DC, for the commemorative events are encouraged to visit with their Members of Congress and Senators. We will help facilitate and schedule the meetings. Kindly note your intention to visit your representatives at wwicentennial@svluka.org.
5:30pm - 7:30pm - Reception at the House Visitor Center co-hosted by the Serbian American Congressional Caucus, the Embassy of Serbia, and the WWI Centennial Commission of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America.
Thursday, July 26th
1:00pm - 5:00pm - Academic Symposium at the National Press Club with presentations by Prof. Dr. Krinka Vidakovic-Petrov, Ambassador Theodore Sedgwick, Dr. Gordon Bardos, Dr. Dusan Babac, Rev. Dr. Vasilije Vranic, Dr. Branko Mikasinovic and Hon. Branko Terzic. The Symposium will be formally opened by a senior official of the US State Department, Ambassador Djerdj Matkovic and His Grace Bishop Irinej. The Symposium is hosted by the Serbian National Defense.
Registration commences at 12:30 P.M. Spaces are limited. Registration is necessary.
Pre-registration for the symposium will be available on the website:
https://secure.etransfer.com/SLSOC/CentennialCommemoration.cfm
Friday, July 27th
7:00pm - Concert & Cultural Program at the Carnegie Institution for Science featuring the Stringed Quartet of the School for Musical Talents from Ćuprija, Serbia, and the Serbian Singing Society “Lira” of St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church in Potomac, MD, hosted by the Serb National Federation.
Saturday, July 28th
10:00am - Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the Centennial of Woodrow Wilson’s Day of Prayer for Serbia will be celebrated together with a Memorial Service at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral National War Memorial Shrine in Washington, DC, followed by refreshments.
7:00pm - Gala Banquet at the National Press Club on occasion of the Centennial.
The banquet will feature hierarchs and visiting dignitaries from Serbia and Republika Srpska.
Tickets can be purchased from:
https://secure.etransfer.com/SLSOC/CentennialCommemoration.cfm
“These events commemorate the sacrifice of the Serbian Americans in the World War I. Many communities sent volunteers initially to join the Serbian army and later to join the US army in this Great War. Join us in Washington for this important commemoration as we remember their sacrifice,” said the Honorable Branko Terzic, chairman of the WWI Centennial Commission of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America.
Detailed information to follow!
Sunday, July 29th
10:00am - Finally, visitors and guests from out-of-town are invited to the Divine Liturgy at St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church in Potomac, MD, where the local parish community will offer an informal picnic lunch after the services. For planning purposes, all interested are kindly invited to make reservations for the picnic.
Registration:https://secure.etransfer.com/SLSOC/CentennialCommemoration.cfm
Clergy, parish council members, representatives of organizations, and visitors planning to attend these historic events are kindly asked to confirm their attendance atwwicentennial@svluka.orgso that the organizers can inform your Senators and Members of Congress that you will be present.
Hotel information: https://serbianchurch.org/document/wwi-hotel/
All roads lead to Washington, DC for the Centennial
of the Flying of the Serbian Flag at the White House!
