The weekend of February 21-23, 2025, the adult and junior choirs of Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, the S.S.S. Branko Radichevich and Jr. Brankies, embarked on a historic journey to Washington, D.C., to participate in S.S.S. Lira’s Inaugural Annual Concert. S.S.S. Lira is the choir of St. Luke Serbian Orthodox Church in Potomac, Maryland. This momentous event saw 18 adult choir members, 22 junior choir singers, and 20 parents making the trip, strengthening bonds between the two choirs and fostering a deep love for Serbian choral music.

Upon arrival, our choir members were warmly welcomed at a Friday night dinner and social hosted by the S.S.S. Lira singers and the Lira Children’s Choir at the hotel. The evening was filled with lively music performed by talented choir members, featuring a mix of ex-Yugoslav rock and traditional Serbian folk songs, setting the tone for a memorable weekend.

Saturday morning began with a sightseeing adventure as the Brankies boarded a coach bus for a three-hour walking tour of the Washington Mall and its iconic monuments. Guided by the knowledgeable and charismatic Nikola Lojanica, the group explored landmarks including the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Smithsonian museums, the White House, and the Lincoln Memorial. Both children and adults enjoyed learning about the rich history of the nation’s capital under clear and sunny skies.

After returning to the hotel for a quick change, the choir members made their way to St. Luke’s Serbian Orthodox Church for what was expected to be a small snack but turned into a delightful homemade Serbian dinner. The evening continued with a spectacular concert held inside the beautifully frescoed St. Luke Church, featuring performances by both adult and children’s choirs. Choir directors Jelena Stojakovic and Protinica Jelena Vranic carefully curated a repertoire of spiritual, paraliturgical, and folk songs, ensuring a truly moving experience for all attendees. The concert concluded with six resounding renditions of “Mnogaja Ljeta,” invoking blessings of health and prosperity for both choirs.

In a touching exchange of gifts, S.S.S. Lira President, Nevena Arizanovic presented S.S.S. Branko Radichevich President, David Sekicky with a special token commemorating the historic concert and their newfound kumstvo. In return, S.S.S. Branko Radichevich gifted S.S.S. Lira with a commissioned icon of the Holy Three Hierarchs, the patron saints of S.S.S. Lira, to be hand-painted by a renowned iconographer from Novi Sad.

The weekend culminated with both Brankies choirs lending their voices to the Divine Liturgy, filling St. Luke Church with angelic hymns. The choir was blessed to have Fr. Nikolaj Kostur accompany them on this trip. Fr. Nikolaj celebrated the Divine Liturgy alongside Fr. Vasilije Vranic and delivered a heartfelt sermon.

This trip was a testament to the power of faith, music, and friendship. What began as a connection between Fr. Vasilije Vranic, Protinica Jelena Vranic, and the singers of SSS Branko Radichevich at Holy Resurrection Cathedral has blossomed into a cherished kumstvo between two choirs. May God protect both choirs and grant them many more years of singing joyfully to His glory!

A heartfelt thank you to Fr. Darko Spasojevic, the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral board, the Serbian Singing Society Branko Radichevich board, our generous donors, and especially the dedicated parents of these talented children who made this historic trip possible.

Funding for this journey was made possible in part by the Milorad Čupić, MD Endowment Fund—established by his family in his memory to support pilgrimages—as well as the Sarovich Foundation. We are especially grateful to our parish and choir leadership and, most of all, to the parents whose unwavering support made this experience a reality. Their belief in our mission is inspiring, as one parent beautifully shared: “A wonderful, fulfilling experience for kids and adults with great purpose! Enjoyed every moment of it.”

This trip would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our community. We are profoundly grateful for their commitment to fostering faith, music, and cultural heritage.