Originally published in Source Magazine
—-
“Serbian Days in Vancouver returns for its 35thanniversary this labour day weekend (Aug. 30-31). For Vuk Milisic, the priest and Dean of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, the event is a cornerstone of Vancouver’s Serbian community one that joyfully showcases their identity, faith and hospitality.
“[Serbian Days] honours the past while building the future for the Serbian community abroad,” Milisic shares. “It is an opportunity to reconnect with our roots, strengthen our community bonds and open up our hearts to all who wish to learn more about Serbian life and faith.”
The free, family-friendly event is held at St. Sava Church (505 East 63rd Avenue) and offers traditional Serbian food, sport tournaments and cultural displays.
Rooted in tradition
The local Serbian community has long roots in the province: Milisic notes how their origins can be traced to the early 20th century. The community then expanded through multiple immigration waves, most significantly during the 1990s following Yugoslavia’s dissolution.
“Each year, Serbian Days bring people together around our church,” the priest adds. “The heart of our Serbian community in Vancouver is the Serbian Orthodox Church.”
Milisic shares that the church’s first goal is preserving Serbians’ spiritual life, the Orthodox Christian faith and Serbian traditions. Its second goal is maintaining community bonds through their traditions and language. The church, like other Serbian churches around the world, is named after St. Sava, who was born as Rastko Nemanjić.
“He left the comforts of the palace’s life in his youth to dedicate himself fully to God, becoming a monk at Mount Athos, which is now in Greece,” the priest shares of St. Sava’s story. “In 1219, St. Sava achieved one of the most important milestones in Serbian history: he secured the autocephaly of the Serbian Orthodox Church.”
This move led to the independence of the Serbian Orthodox Church from Constantinople (now Istanbul). St. Sava then served as its first archbishop. Milisic notes that the Saint’s influence on the Serbian community is still felt today—they celebrate St. Sava annually on Jan. 27 as the patron saint of Serbian education and youth.
“This established the foundation of a unified spiritual, cultural and national identity for the Serbian people,” the priest adds. “We actually celebrated in 2019, just before Covid, 800 years of this autocephaly.”
A communal life
The values of St. Sava are reflected in the upcoming Serbian Days, which include liturgical services that bless the event. For Milisic, the event’s main purpose is to highlight their religious and cultural identity, particularly for the younger generations. The second goal is to emphasize Serbians’ spiritual life.
“The third would be community building, bringing together Serbian families and individuals from the local area and beyond,” the priest adds.
The celebrations include Serbian homemade specialties, such as cevapi (barbecued pork sausages) and pecenje (spit-roasted lamb and pork). Attendees can also enjoy sweet pastries and cakes as well as Serbian pivo (beer) and vino (wine).
“You have a sense of community, and people really enjoy it,” Milisic shares. “You participate in a communal life, which is a very important part of orthodox spirituality, and our Serbian traditional way of life.”
The weekend will also include sports activities, particularly those of bocce, soccer and volleyball. Attendees will be treated to live entertainment from Serbian musicians and folklore dancers; the latter of which is a hallmark at Serbian weddings and baptisms.
“Dancers hold hands or shoulders and move in a circular, semicircular formation,” Milisic explains of the kolo dances. “Most dances are performed in groups, symbolizing unity.”
The dancers will perform in traditional Serbian costumes; they have been practicing at the church throughout the year. Milisic adds that the dancing often expands onto the streets—an invitation for all to join in. The celebrations also serve as a fundraising event for the church’s year-round programming.
“We have Serbian school, held every Sunday, like Sunday school where we teach children Serbian language, history and faith,” Milisic shares, adding that they hold cultural events throughout the year. “Serbia is a very old nation; we have a lot to offer.”
For more information Serbian Days, see https://www.svetisava.net/serbiandays.
For more information on St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, see https://www.svetisava.net/.”