December 19, 2024 – Steelton, PA — The faithful of South-Central Pennsylvania gathered in joyful anticipation to celebrate the feast of their patron, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, and to welcome upon arrival His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, led by little Genevieve Bare.
The celebration began with the remembrance of all Orthodox Christians from the St. Nicholas Serbian Church of Oberlin-Steelton, who have gone before us in the faith and hope of the Resurrection. Among the hundreds of faithful remembered, most prominently included was the name of long-time pastor, the Very Reverend Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Srboljub Jockovic.
His Grace led the faithful in the offering of the Litija during the festal Vespers, reminding all of the importance of honoring a patron in St. Nicholas, who stood for the Truth of Christ in everything that he did.
The community continued the celebration with Matins the next morning. During this beautiful morning service, the faithful proclaimed in thanksgiving, “We magnify you, O Holy Father Nicholas, and we honor your holy memory. Intercede for us before Christ our God.” The Matins service so appropriately prepares the mind and body to enter the Kingdom of Heaven during the liturgy. Many thanks to God for the St. Nicholas chanters, Milan Radanovic, Nicholas Ressetar and Lenny Tepsic.
Bishop Irinej then led the faithful in the Triune worship of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. This Pan-Orthodox concelebration included Protopresbyter Joseph Fester of the Carpatho-Rusyn Archdiocese, and Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki of the Orthodox Church in America, as well as Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Ilija Balach, and Presbyter-Economos Christopher Rocknage, parish priest, and Deacon Bojan Gligorevic of St. Nicholas Church. Prayerfully present in the holy altar was Protopresbyter Nicholas Harris. His Grace was assisted by Mihailo Vlajkovic and Mihail Golic, ThM students from St. Vladimir’s Seminary. A full choir, under the direction of Nina Radanovic, led the faithful in liturgical responses. Also present with the faithful was the V. Rev. Dr. James Lease, ecumenical officer of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg.
The Gospel of St. Luke, in which Christ proclaims the Beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizes the importance of humility in following Christ. His Grace taught how the life of St. Nicholas models this exact humility, making the heart into fertile ground through which the seed of the Word of God may take root, grow and bear fruit. He encouraged all to emulate this example, drawing our gaze to the earth, preparing to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Christ. He taught of the importance of the Truth, embodied in the person of our Lord, to Whom we must be connected to truly live. He reminded us of our patron, St. Nicholas, who was also a defender of the Truth of Christ, willing to sacrifice his own person, wealth, and reputation so that it was not he who lived, but Christ Who lives in him. Glory to God for all things!
Many of the faithful prepared themselves and received the Holy Body and Precious Blood of our Lord.
His Grace also blessed the Festal Bread – slavski kolac and Wheat – koljivo for the parish Feast Day – Slava, hosted by Father Christopher, Protinica Andreja and their family.
After Liturgy, the faithful began the process with His Grace of initiating parish library dedicate to the memory of Prota Srboljub Jockovic. A magnificent oil portrait of Fr. Srbojlub was commissioned by the Yanich and Matich families to commemorate the beginning of this process. Mrs. Marina Radanovic prayerfully completed this commission. Upon unveiling, the faithful present joyfully wept and applauded in acclamation! The portrait will take permanent residence in the Jockovic Memorial Library.
His Grace then commemorated the occasion with an Episcopal Grammaton, presented to Protinica Ljubica and son, Vladimir Jockovic. Due to unexpected health challenges, they were not able to be present. The following day, Fr. Christopher personally delivered the grammaton to them in Washington, D.C. Protinica Ljubica and Vlado accepted this honor with awe and tearful gratitude to God.
Protinica Andreja Rocknage and Protinica Carole Balach led the “liturgy after the liturgy”, i.e., the festal banquet with a delicious luncheon, highlighted by homemade seafood stew – čorba, bean soup – pasulj, fresh baked flatbread – pogača, rice pilaf, green beans with mushrooms and garlic, Serbian potato salad – krompir salata, bean salad, shrimp cocktail and a beautiful collection of Lenten pastries – posni kolači and cakes. Special thanks also to Djakonica Sladjana Gligorevic, the Starcevich and Hoover families, and all of those who brought cookies and cakes to share in the joy of this glorious day.
May St. Nicholas intercede before the Lord, our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the salvation of all who honor him!
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