News and Events - June 2010
HISTORIC MEETING OF TWO SERBIAN ORTHODOX PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Milwaukee, WI - The first ever meeting of St. Sava Academy, the parochial school of Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago, and St. Sava Orthodox School, the parochial school of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of Milwaukee, took place at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral & School, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Upon St. Sava Academy’s arrival to St. Sava Church & School in Milwaukee, all students attended the Divine Liturgy celebrating the Feast Day of Pentecost Monday and Sts. Cyril & Methodius, St. Sava Orthodox School’s slava. Rev. Fr. Radovan Jakovljevic, of Holy Resurrection Cathedral of Chicago, served the Divine Liturgy with Rev. Fr. Radomir Cutilo, of St. Sava Cathedral in Milwaukee. Upon the completion of the Divine Liturgy, Rev. Fr. Radomir Cutilo, welcomed the students, staff and administration of St. Sava Academy with the following words, “On this joyous feast day of Pentecost Monday and Sts. Cyril & Methodius, I welcome our sister school from Chicago. It is so nice to see a church full of young people on such a joyous occasion.”
After the blessing and distribution of nafora (holy bread), students of both parochial schools walked over to the school building where St. Sava Academy students were warmly greeted by St. Sava Orthodox School students and teachers. St. Sava Orthodox School Principal, Erica Bugalski, formally introduced all of her teachers and had the following words to share, “Welcome to our school! We are so gracious to finally meet you. We are also happy for students from both schools to be able to meet each other’s pen pals.” Next, St. Sava Academy Principal, Marko Bojovic thanked the Milwaukee school for their hospitality and their warm welcome. Likewise, Principal Bojovic presented a gift, in the form of an icon of St. Sava, with the following words written on the back of the icon: “This icon of Saint Sava is given to St. Sava Orthodox School, the sister school of St. Sava Academy of Chicago, on the occasion of the first ever meeting of the two Serbian Orthodox parochial schools. As the Hymn to Saint Sava, says: “Let us sing with love to Saint Sava. Serbian churches and SCHOOLS Glorify Him!” Given on Pentecost Monday, and the Feast Day of St. Cyril & Methodius, this 24th day of May, in the year of our Lord 2010, in the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America. The Students, Staff & Administration of St. Sava Academy.”
After this presentation, students of both schools were divided up into their respective grade level where they attended a special joint class. Following this special class, all students attended the special slava luncheon where St. Sava Academy of Chicago were the special honored guests. V. Rev. Fr. Dragan Veleusic, Cathedral Dean of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Milwaukee, invited St. Sava Academy students to assist with the turning of the slavski kolac (festal bread). As Principal Marko Bojovic stated, “It was a wonderful sight to see students from both parochial schools share in this tri-fold occasion of the Feast Day of Pentecost Monday and Sts. Cyril & Methodius, the celebration of St. Sava Orthodox School’s slava and last, but not least, the first-ever meeting of the two Serbian Orthodox parochial schools. This day truly was a blessing from our Lord, for both the Chicago and Milwaukee Serbian Orthodox Communities.”
Likewise, at the conclusion of the cutting of the slavski kolac, V. Rev. Fr. Dragan Veleusic formally welcomed the students of St. Sava Academy by stating, “I welcome our dear guests from Chicago on this very historic occasion with the uniting of both school communities. We look forward to continuing this wonderful sister school relationship. May God bless the only two Serbian Orthodox parochial schools in the United States!” After the completion of the Slava luncheon, students from both schools had a joint recess.
Both school communities look forward to many more of these types of meetings. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless all of the students, parents, staff and administration of both schools both now and forever unto the ages of ages, Amen! May God Grant St. Sava Academy & St. Sava Orthodox School Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta!