Holy Hierarchical Liturgy and Slava of the Diocesan Circle of Serbian Sisters at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery

Article by Fr. Dusko Markovic

On All Saints Sunday, June 15, 2025, the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy was celebrated at the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Milton – the spiritual and administrative seat of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada. The Holy Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan of Canada Mitrofan with the concelebration of Protosyngel Sava Medakovic, Protopresbyter-Stavrophors Goran Gojkovic, Dejan Obradovic and Milos Puric, as well as Presbyter Marko Dimic.

The service was enhanced by the Kir Stefan the Serb Choir from Toronto, under the conductorship of Jasmina Vucurovic, who once again brought special beauty and prayerfulness to the Holy Liturgy with their liturgical singing, while Presbyters Milorad Delic and Dusko Markovic sang behind the choir.

This year's godparents were Zoran and Dragana Kanlic from Burlington with their family, while next year the honour of godparents was taken over by Zora and Drago Tubonjic, long-time benefactors of our monastery.

This year, the occasion for the gathering was the Slava of the Diocesan Circle of Serbian Sisters of the Diocese of Canada which for years, already decades, with its love and devotion has carried on itself the true work of Christian service, charity, and preservation of the faith and culture of the Serbian people in Canada. The gathering of our pious people on this day was more than an ordinary holiday – it was an opportunity for our people from Ontario, and beyond, to gather in a unique Serbian sanctuary in these areas, in a space where, through joint prayer, meal and joy, the power of unity and love in Christ is vividly witnessed.

In this spirit, in his archpastoral sermon, Metropolitan Mitrofan made a strong call for togetherness and unity, emphasizing that we must not allow differences to divide us on regional, traditional, or any other basis. We are called to be one – in Christ, in the Church, in the work of salvation. Only together with each other and in Christ can we reach our common goal – the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Holy Liturgy was also attended by representatives of the Serbian people in the public life of Canada: Ned Kuruc, the first Serbian Member of Parliament in the Parliament of Canada, who in his address after the meal prepared by the sisters expressed gratitude for the support of our people, emphasizing that he owes this honour and responsibility precisely to his roots and the community that supported him, and Tom Rakocevic, Member of Provincial Parliament, who has served the state, but also his people, for years, and who also emphasized the importance of our Church in preserving identity, family, and spiritual values ​​among Serbs in Canada.

After the greetings and blessings, a rich cultural and artistic program was performed by folklore groups from our church and school communities. The skills of the dancers, songs, folk costumes and the joy of the children brought all those present back to the most beautiful pages of Serbian tradition and native memories.

We thank everyone who participated and helped organize this significant event – the clergy, members of the Circle of Serbian Sisters, volunteers, folklorists, chefs and everyone who, with their effort and goodwill, contributed to ensuring that this celebration remains etched in the hearts of all those present.

May this blessed assembly be an encouragement that as a people, gathered around our Church, we remain in love, in harmony, and in the truth of the Gospel – now and always! Amen.