Successful Completion of the School Year at Saint Sava Church School in Montreal

Article by Protopresbyter Vladimir Vranic

On May 10, 2026, on the Feast of the Burning of the Relics of Saint Sava, following the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Montreal, the ceremonial closing program of the Saint Sava Church School was held, marking the successful conclusion of the school year in a joyful and dignified manner.

In these days of Paschal joy, as we prepare for the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord and the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, today’s celebration brought many smiles, joy, and beautiful moments for our children, parents, and the entire community.

It is no coincidence that we gather today around the name and work of Saint Sava. Those who once believed that by burning his holy relics they would extinguish his light and erase his legacy from the Serbian people achieved precisely the opposite. Saint Sava became even more present in the hearts of his people wherever they may live, and indeed, our school here in Montreal bears his honoured name.

A special joy for everyone present was brought by the children’s choir under the direction of Kristina Maric, who performed several children’s songs, filling the hall with smiles and happiness. The youngest students diligently prepared recitations and then performed the play Deda, baba i repa (Grandfather, Grandmother, and the Turnip), beautifully demonstrating the importance of unity and cooperation. The older students presented an engaging and educational performance about a classroom, reminding all present how important attentiveness, responsibility, and respect are toward everything that helps us learn. Through the story of the blackboard, desk, pencil, chalk, and sponge, the children sincerely showed that even the simplest things deserve care and respect.

The older students also professionally prepared and presented presentations about various cities in Serbia and Republika Srpska, demonstrating impressive knowledge, dedication, and love for their heritage, history, and culture.

The entire program was performed by our children under the careful and devoted guidance of the school team, to the delight of all in attendance. Following the program, diplomas were awarded to the students as testimony to their effort, hard work, and participation in the life of our school and church community. We owe special gratitude to the parents, who throughout the year supported their children and the work of the school with love, patience, and dedication.

With great thankfulness, we also recognize the selfless work of the professional teaching staff: Sladjana Vuciјak, Tihana Miletic, Nikolina Tisma, Kristina Maric, and Miljana Stojanovski, as well as the school coordinator Jelena Sekara, who at the conclusion of the program presented certificates of appreciation to the teachers for their professionalism, love, dedication, and sacrificial work with the children.

At the very end of the celebration, the president of the Holy Trinity Church-School Congregation, Dr. Milenko Petrovic, on behalf of the Board of Directors, presented special gifts to the teachers as an expression of deep respect and gratitude for everything they do through the school for our children and the entire Serbian community in Montreal. The result of their dedication is a highly successful school year, despite numerous challenges and the fact that the school began operating later this year than originally planned. For this reason, this success is even greater and more meaningful for our entire community.

We hope that our Church-School Congregation, carried forward by the wings of this success, will continue to develop and improve the work of the school, always to the glory of God and for the joy of our children, parents, and the entire community.