Last night, the Big Hall of Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral was joyfully blessed and officially opened to our parish community. The blessing was prayerfully offered by the Cathedral clergy, marking the completion of a major renovation project and the beginning of a new chapter in the life of our parish.
The liturgical responses during the blessing were beautifully sung by the SSS Branko Radičević Choir, whose prayerful singing added a solemn and uplifting tone to the evening.
Immediately following the blessing, the hall came alive as the Soko folklore group held its first practice in the newly renovated space—a powerful and fitting sign that this hall will continue to be a home for faith, culture, and the formation of our children.
Fr. Darko greeted the gathered faithful and expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the project. He thanked all donors and volunteers who supported the renovation through their time, treasure, and talent, emphasizing that the true value of this accomplishment lies not merely in the physical transformation of the space, but in the community coming together to do something meaningful for the common good. This hall, he noted, is a place where the same community gathers to preserve and pass on the living narrative of Orthodox faith and Serbian culture, and where that community itself is continually being built and shaped.
The parish also wishes to acknowledge and thank the representatives of the Circle of Serbian Sisters who were present at the blessing. Their ongoing generosity, faithful presence, and hands-on support have made them significant contributors not only to this renovation, but to many parish efforts over the years.
On behalf of the clergy and the entire parish, Fr. Darko offered special thanks to Toma Stojakovic, Executive Board President and lead project manager of the Big Hall renovation. Since the project began on October 15, 2025, Toma was present nearly every day—often working late into the night—guiding the project from start to finish with dedication, humility, and care.
In his remarks, Toma redirected the focus back to the community, thanking “all those who donated, volunteered, encouraged, prayed, and supported this project in any way. Every contribution mattered, whether seen or unseen.” He emphasized that this hall will now be a place where the community gathers, celebrates, and grows together, adding, “Above all, we give thanks to God, who blesses our efforts and unites us as one body in Christ.”
The renovation included numerous significant improvements, including:
- New tile flooring throughout the hall
- Complete HVAC installation
- Painting of the entire space
- Installation of new doors
- Renovation and significant expansion of both the men’s and women’s bathrooms
- Completion of soffit and drywall work
- Installation of the drop ceiling grid
- Final electrical work and finishing details
In the spirit of gratitude and fellowship, the parish is also planning a thank-you lunch in February to honor and bring together all those who contributed to the renovation through their generosity, service, and support.
With gratitude to God and to all who made this possible, the Big Hall now stands renewed and expanded—ready to serve as a vibrant gathering place for worship, fellowship, education, and cultural life for many years to come.
