Slava of Gracanica Church in Windsor Celebrated with Holy Hierarchical Liturgy

On Sunday August 23, 2026, a great number of faithful gathered at the Windsor Gracanica – the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos – to celebrate its Slava (patronal feast).

The Holy Hierarchical Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop of Toronto and Metropolitan of Canada Dr. Mitrofan. The Liturgy was concelebrated by: Diocesan Deputy Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Miroljub Todorovic, Presbyter Georgije Tubonjic, Presbyter Marko Dimic, Presbyter Brian Payne and parish priest Presbyter Milorad Delic; as well as Deacon Srdjan Miskovic (Orthodox Church in America).

Many faithful, both children and adults, received Holy Communion. 

Reflecting on the Gospel account of the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16–26), His Eminence Metropolitan Mitrofan called upon everyone to free their hearts from all that separates them from Christ and to entrust their lives fully to Him.

This year’s kumovi (godparents) were John Steel and Milica Yaksich.

Following the Liturgy, a three-fold procession took place around the church, during which Metropolitan Mitrofan blessed the newly re-designed Krajiska suza (Krajina Tear) monument, erected in prayerful memory of the innocent Serbs who suffered and were expelled from Krajina. In front of the monument is now a beautiful plateau. Ribbons blessed at the Holy Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos were then distributed to the faithful.

The celebration continued at the Serbian Centre, where children who had completed the Church School received their diplomas. Seven scholarships were indvidually awarded to young members of this church community pursuing further education. Episcopal gramata certificates were also presented to deserving parishioners.

His Eminence Metropolitan Mitrofan expressed his great joy at seeing the church filled with faithful people, especially so many children and young people.