Saint Sava Academy 2015: St. Sava – an inspiration to Serbs for centuries
For centuries Sv. Sava has been an inspiration to Serbs wherever they are. To all conscientious Serbs he was a signpost through time and historical events whether those moments be good and light or evil and darkness. The power of his piety and enlightenment has helped the Serbs to overcome all of the difficulties they encountered, whether in Serbia or in foreign lands. This is best evidenced by the numerous temples on almost every continent dedicated to Serbia's first educator. St. Sava's Church in London confirms this too.
Under the aegis of Serbian Month numerous events have been organised to present Serbian culture in its best light to our British hosts. Without the likeness of St Sava all would look weak and poor but with him it is rich and beautiful. Thus more than a whole month in Britain takes place for Serbs under the sign of St Sava.
On Thursday 5th of February 2015, the Polish Centre in London was the venue for the Saint Sava Academy which, under the leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the elder Proto Goran Spaić, virtually all Serbian organizations participated: Serbian Council for Britain, Serbian Society, Serbian City Club, Sport Society, Pro-art, Britić, and the Serbian Library and with the support of the Embassy of Serbia in the UK. Amid the large number of guests who attended the academy were Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Catherine de Silva, on behalf of the Royal Family as well as Ambassador Mr. Ognjen Pribićević.
The Academy was inaugurated with St Sava's hymn which was performed by the parish choir under the direction of Ms. Zorka Maksimović.
After the national anthem Proto Goran welcomed guests both in Serbian and then in English.
A lecture entitled "Historical and cultural significance of St Sava" was given by Professor David Norris of the Department of Russian and Slovenian Studies University of Nottingham, stressing the importance of our patron saint both within Church and in diplomatic terms quoting Domentijan, Crnjanski, Bishop Nikolaj and others.
The Academy continued with recitations and songs, accompanied by piano and other instruments. Vera Milanković, composer and pianist accompanied the texts: "St. Sava," "Transfiguration" and "Resurrection". The actress Marija Pavlovic Allport recited "Rastka" in Serbian and "Three Hands" by Mateja Bećković in English. "Liriku Atosa" by Svetislava Božić was performed on piano by Maja Momčilović Jordan, the Church choir sang "Hvalite Imja Gospodnje" and "Eternal Monument". "Igra" by Vasilije Mokranjac was performed by John Bailey on piano and while Marina Petrov performed "Two Etudes" by the same composer. After that both Marina and John performed a duet on piano "Toccata" by Zoran Hristića. Elegies "Na Livadi Sitna Kiša", "Čarna Goro puno si ti Lada", and "Udaću se Majko" sung by operatic soprano Silva Vučković McQueen with piano accompaniment by Maja Momčilović Jordan. "Srpska Pesma" by Josip Štolcer-Slavenski played on the accordion by Miloš Milivojević and Živorad Nikolić. The prayer of St. Bishop Nikolaj "Bless my Enemies, O Lord" was recited by actress Vesna Stanojević while on the big screen above the stage the prayer was projected English. The program was concluded with traditional songs from Orthodox Balkan countries with instrumentalists: Harriet Mackenzie on violin and Miloš Milivojević and Živorad Nikolić on accordions.
After the programme, all performers took to the stage and were greeted with thunderous applause and most especially Maja Momčilović-Jordan who invested so much of her efforts to ensure the success of the Academy. The performers were delighted that the inaugural concert was so well organised and convened in another room for refreshments and to discuss the possibility that these Serbian organisations would continue the tradition of St Sava well into the future. All organisers and performers deserve our praise.
Nenad Obradovic's photographs from the Academy can be seen HERE.
Father Milun S. Kostic
(translated by Britic, photos by N. Obradovic)
