On the Second Day of Pentecost - Monday, June 5th, 2023, His Grace, our Father and Bishop Irinej of Eastern America honored the community of the Holy Archangel Gabriel Monastery - New Marcha by celebrating the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in commemoration of the Second Day of Pentecost.

His Grace was joined in concelebration by Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Rade Merick, Protopresbyters Dragan Lj. Zaric and Dragoslav Kosic, and Presbyter-Economos Vladislav Golic. Offering their prayerful presence were the Venerable Protosyngelos Sava (Vukajlovic), Spiritual Father of the Monastery, and Syngelos Nektarije (Tesanovic). Uplifting responses were offered by the monastery singers under the capable direction of Professor Dr. Nikola Resanovic.

His Grace delivered a very profound message about living an Orthodox Christian life in its fullness and called all of us to serve the One God in Trinity by allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our lives, so that we can live by the spirit of the law, which is written on our hearts, instead of enslaving ourselves to the letter of the law. His Grace truly blessed our monastery family and the many who had gathered from the Cleveland Deanery and other area Orthodox Churches with his profound words and presence.

Following the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Sava and the Sisterhood of the Monastery prepared a well laden festal luncheon in the refractory of the residence for the many guests. Coffee and dessert were served outside, as most of those present desired to spend more time with each other in the beautiful and tranquil monastery grounds.

Truly, it was Spirit-filled Pentecost Monday.