On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the feast of St. Sava was celebrated in a solemn gathering at the Serbian Orthodox New Kalenic Monastery as part of the St. Sava Days throughout our Diocese. The liturgical gathering and the subsequent St. Sava Youth Festival at the New Kalenic Monastery on Saturday preceded the same gathering at the St. Sava Monastery in Elaine on Sunday, January 26, 2025. The favourable weather conditions, with temperatures below the average, contributed to the pleasant atmosphere of this year’s celebration.
This year, we had the special blessing of having with us a very esteemed and special guest His Eminence Metropolitan Basilios from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand, who responded with brotherly love to Metropolitan Siluan’s fraternal invitation to join the Serbian people for the liturgical celebration of their patronal feast day – St. Sava the first Archbishop of Serbia. The arrival of the two hierarchs at the Episcopal Residence at 9:30 AM, followed by their entrance into the monastery church along with all the serving clergy and faithful, marked the beginning of the Divine Hierarchical Liturgy. Metropolitan Siluan with the concelebration of Metropolitan Basilios, with numerous clergy from SOC as well as from the Antiochian and Macedonian Orthodox dioceses, including the prayerful presence of a Greek priest from the St. Dimitrios Parish in Queanbeyan with his congregation, as well as the presence of Abbess Ana from the Russian Theotokian Monastery near Bungarby with her sisterhood, an abbess from Greece, and the monastics of the New Kalenic Monastery. Subdeacons and chanters from Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, and Canberra also assisted at the Liturgy. The church was filled with worshipers from Canberra, Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Wodonga and other parts of Australia.
Before the faithful received Communion, Metropolitan Siluan delivered a sermon. After greeting the distinguished guests, Their Excellencies, the Ambassadors of the Republic of Serbia and the Russian Federation, who were also in prayerful attendance, as well as the clergy, monastics, and the faithful, Metropolitan Siluan began his sermon by stating that today’s feast day is a day for spiritual reassessment and self-reflection. The Serbian people find their direction today and renew their relationship with the Lord through their Enlightener, our Father St. Sava. The way of St. Sava is to be in unity, harmony, and fellowship with one another, to be gathered together in the truth of the Holy Orthodox faith, to be as children of St. Sava in communion with Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ. All Serbs and all people of good will, all God-seekers, are welcomed to this monastic sanctuary. We are called, as we did today, to fill our churches on Sundays and feast days which are consecrated days of prayer. The renewal of this holy place is alive through all those who help and contribute, giving their time, resources, and love to this sanctuary. By supporting its typikon, we ensure that it remains a place of prayer, rest, and comfort for the Serbian people and all the Orthodox. A part of this renewal is the great blessing of having the Icon of the Mother of God Trojeručica in our presence, which was accompanied to the Monastery by the Very Venerable Abbott of Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos in 2022.
A memorial service was held for the late Bishop Petar and the reposed clergy of our Diocese, followed by the breaking of the Slava bread. This year’s host of the monastery’s celebration, Mr. Slobodan Zec with his family, handed over a portion of the blessed Slava bread to next year’s host, Mr. Ratko Miličević, in accordance with the established tradition. Prayers were offered for the peace, health, and salvation of the hosts, their families, and all present.
After the Liturgy, the most prominent contributors to this year’s and recent restorations were blessed and honoured with Archepiscopal gramatons and certificates of appreciation. A warm welcome was extended to Metropolitan Basilios, and a special gift—an icon of St. Sava —was presented to him. Additionally, Metropolitan Siluan, along with a thoughtful gift, announced the great success of Ms. Nadja Stefanović, daughter of the Serbian Ambassador Mr. Rade Stefanović, who was recently rewarded the DUX Award as the highest achieving student of the year at the prestigious Narabanda School in Canberra, further honouring the Serbian people in the diaspora with this achievement, having been born and educated in the Homeland.
Later in the day, Metropolitan Siluan, together with Metropolitan Basilios and the other guests, opened the 44th St. Sava Youth Festival. This occasion was used to once again stress the importance of the blessed path of St. Sava, one of unity, peace and harmony. In the space surrounding the large monastery hall, with numerous participants from folkloric groups from across Australia and attending guests, the planned activities continued. The event, organised by the members of the St. Sava Church Community in Farrer, led by Protopresbyter Branko Vasilić—coordinator, along with others who greatly assisted and contributed—continued with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, complete with a meal of love in the large monastery hall. In the cultural and artistic program, younger and older folk dance groups participated.
After a time spent with distinguished guests and the faithful, Metropolitan Siluan was compelled to continue his mission and travel to Melbourne and the St. Sava Monastery in Elaine for the St. Sava’s Day celebration and gathering the following day.
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