Annual Diocesan St. Sava Ball in Canada

On Saturday February 3, 2024, the Great Hall of the Winona Vine Estates property, of the Movement of Serbian Cetniks Ravne Gore in Winona, Ontario, was the site of the traditional St. Sava Ball of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. The third annual gathering in honour of the enlightener, and first Archbishop, of Serbia, Saint Sava Nemanjic, under the patronage and blessing of His Grace Rt. Rev. Bishop Dr. Mitrofan, was organized by the St. Sava Youth Fund Committee of the Canadian Diocese.

Many months of tedious preparations came to fruition and almost five hundred Serbs, and their friends, from the parishes of Southern Ontario, congregated around the person and good deeds of the greatest Nemanjic. His Grace Bishop Mitrofan opened the ball with prayer, and a blessing. Greeting the clergy, members of the Diocesan Council, and all present, His Grace counselled all that we have to always strive to do more, and better, for our children so that, far from our fatherland, they will know that they belong to Holy Orthodoxy, the Serbian people, and St. Sava.

During the evening the Movement of Serbian Chetniks of Ravna Gora was granted a Hierarchal decree for their multifaceted support of the Serbian Orthodox Church, particularly the organization of the St. Sava Ball, and the diocesan summer camp. His Grace Bishop Mitrofan, and Rajko Djurdjevic, Vice-president of the St. Sava Youth Fund, formally presented the decree, as well as gifts, icons of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and the Most Holy Mother of God, to Petar ‘’Dinarac’’ Manojlovic, World War II veteran, and lifelong activist of the Serbian ommunity in Hamilton. Expressing gratitude for this great honour, Chika Pero spoke of his joy and pride towards the youth which gathers around out Church, and wished that God will grant this for many more years.

Fr. Jovan Marjanac, secretary of the Diocese of Canada, highlighted and conveyed the multitude of effort which goes into realizing the summer youth camp, thanking all those who contribute. It was announced that, God willing, the Holy Transfiguration Camp in Milton Monastery will be expanding to two accommodating 400 children during two weeks, in July of 2024.

The most emotional, and culminating, moment of the evening was when all present rose and, in unison, sang the Hymn to St. Sava. The ball atmosphere was completed with the performance of the Niagara Tamburasi orchestra, and the Folklore Group ‘’Stevan Sindjelic’’, the dancing of kolo, song, and an exquisite assortment of food.

All proceeds of the St. Sava Ball of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada are dedicated to future facilities of the Holy Transfiguration Camp.