This year’s celebration of the Slava of the Circle of Serbian Sisters (Kolo Srpskih Sestara) was especially meaningful as we also marked the 110th Anniversary of our Kolo. It was a day of prayer, fellowship, and deep gratitude for all those who have carried this tradition for over a century.
The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy, followed by Parastos in memory of our departed sisters. The banquet opened with the Blessing of the Kolač, after which our guests were welcomed and the head table introduced. The program was beautifully led by Katarina Krstić, with Slava co-chairs and organizers Tanja Popovich and Sandra Luburić ensuring everything was carried out with joy and dignity.
We are especially grateful to our Cathedral Choir for their beautiful singing and responses during the Divine Liturgyand the Blessing of the Kolač, which uplifted the hearts of all present and added solemnity and grace to our worship.
Special recognition was given to Fr. Uroš, our only living honorary member (živi počasni član), as well as to Dana Lukač, president of the Četničko Kolo. Our kumovi for this year’s Slava were Mira and Milutin Djordjević, who were warmly acknowledged.
This year two of our sisters reached the milestone age of 75, becoming Golden Sisters: Protinica Jovanka Pavićević, who now lives in California and sent a letter which was read in her absence, and Nada Rebić, unable to attend due to illness, whose pin was accepted by Malina Spasojević. In addition, a Dobrotvor Certificate in the name of +Ljubica Seka Dobrilović was presented by her son Stevan and accepted by Helen Govedarica, and a Donor Certificate in the name of Dr. Danica Petrović was given by Sandra Luburić and accepted by her as well. A beautiful performance by the Oko Sokolovo Singing Group enriched the program.
In her address, the Kolo President, Brankica Arsenic, welcomed everyone and expressed heartfelt thanks for their prayers and support:
“Our Kolo is the second largest in the United States. Many times our work is done quietly in the background, but always with purpose and heart. Every dollar we collect goes to help our church, our monastery, and our people.”
She noted that this year the Kolo donated $60,000 to the Cathedral Kitchen Project, in addition to countless other efforts that sustain our community: monthly bake sales, extensive preparations for SerbFest and Folklorijada, dinners for Badnje Veče and Detinjci, dyeing over 2,000 eggs for Pascha, preparing and serving meals during Great Lent, and working tirelessly at the St. Mardarije Picnic.
At the same time, while the Kolo is blessed with new members and hopeful for the future, we also remember with love those we have lost this year: Rose Bozić, Millie Wilson, Jeka Strinić, Ljubica Dobrilović, and Mary Marković.
The President concluded with a heartfelt message:
“Dear sisters and women of our Cathedral—we need your help and warmly invite you to join us. Every helping hand, every moment you give, truly matters. Let us continue the work of the sisters who came before us and preserve this beautiful tradition for generations to come. They did not just bake cakes and prepare meals—they firmly held the pillars of our community, often quietly and humbly, but with great strength. Though times change and roles evolve, our mission remains the same: to stand united as Serbian women and provide support wherever it is needed most.”
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Kolo Srpskih Sestara for 110 years of devotion, sacrifice, and love. May God bless our sisters, living and departed, as we honor their legacy and continue to build upon it for generations yet to come.
