The Serbian Orthodox Church in Columbus celebrated its patron Saint Stephan of Dechani
On Sunday November 29, 2020 Serbian Orthodox Church in Columbus celebrated its patron Saint Stephan of Dechani. The Holy Hierarchical Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America. Assisting the Bishop were Deacon Milos Zdralic and local parish priest Fr. Isak Kisin. Kumovi for this year’s Slava celebration were Nenad and Novka Malic. Svetislav and Vera Jovanovic had received the honor to be the next year Kumovi for Church Slava celebration.
His Grace Bishop Irinej addressed all the faithful following the Holy Gospel reading. The Gospel reading was well known parable about the Merciful Samaritan. In it we see that the man that was beaten and robbed was not helped by his people. His people avoided him by passing on the other side of the street. A man from rival nation, nation that was considered as the worst enemy was the one that stopped and helped him. Similar to this; our Lord Jesus Christ was also prosecuted by His own people. As a newborn baby, His only shelter and sanctuary was to be found in the shepherds stable. Later, we will see that His own people would abandon, prosecute and in the end crucify Him. He was prosecuted and abandon by His people while accepted as Messiah and Savior by “foreign,” gentile people. Saints Justin (Popovich) and Bishop Nikolay (Velimirovich) were both prosecuted mainly by their own people. Holy King Stephen of Dechani was also prosecuted by his closest people – first by his father and in the end by his own son.
Having in mind all of this, let us be careful in how we treat each other. Let us follow the noble example the Merciful Samaritan by treating each other with brotherly love and respect. After all the Merciful Samaritan in today Gospel reading represents our Lord and Savior! Concluded the Bishop.
A Lenten meal was prepared for all in attendance following the Service.
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