On Monday, June 1 – the Day of the Holy Spirit – clergy from the parishes of the New Jersey Deanery and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ, to jointly celebrate the festal Divine Liturgy and to offer their congratulations to the parish rector, Archpriest Ljubo Milosevic, and parishioners on the feast of Holy Pentecost.

The dean, Archpriest Serge Lukianov, celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by: the rector, Fr. Ljubo, Archpriests Nikolai Manduke, Serge Ledkovsky (cleric and deputy rectory, respectively, of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), and Valery Sukholobov (rector of Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia, PA), and Deacon Dumitru Lişan (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ).

In preparation for the feast, the parish sisterhood lovingly adorned the church: the floor, walls, and iconostasis were decorated with flowers, leaves, and branches, symbolizing rebirth and new life.

Parishioners of the church and guests from neighboring parishes gathered to offer their prayers during the divine service. The majority of those present communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, the dean, Fr. Serge, congratulated everyone with their patronal feast day and addressed the faithful with a sermon, in which he said, in part:

"We must understand that our soul dries out like a sponge and seeks moisture – and that moisture is the grace of the Holy Spirit. Yesterday, when we all stood kneeling and asked that this sponge – our soul – be saturated with God’s grace, that was precisely the grace for which we thirst, and toward which we must strive. And how are we to strive? By praying during the divine services. To serve God: what a joy!

"Many people often say, ‘Oh, I have to go to church again…’ But we should yearn for and run to the House of God, constantly filling our souls with this spirituality, with this grace. Through morning prayers, spiritual prayers, and, most importantly, good deeds.

"I will never forget; when I was a young seminarian at Holy Trinity Seminary, there was a remarkable man there: the ever-memorable Archimandrite Vladimir (Sukhobok). There was always a smile on his face, and he was often affectionately called ‘our Jordanville Red Sun’ – just as Prince Vladimir was once called. This man was truly exceptionally joyful; he was always happy to help anyone. And so, one night, I found myself short on funds; I went to the seminary office and knocked on the door. Fr. Vladimir opened the door and blessed me. I told him what I needed. He made the sign of the cross broadly over himself and exclaimed: ‘Oh, how wonderful! The day has passed, and I had not yet done a good deed!’ And he gave me what I needed, saying: ‘Glory to God that I have done a good deed.’ I believe this serves as a valuable lesson for us all.

"Strive toward the House of God; strive to perform good deeds. Nourish your soul through the grace of the Holy Spirit, which is at work within our churches. And then the Comforter will come and comfort us. And He will grant us what we need for our lives."

After the service, the clergy and parishioners were invited to a delicious festal meal organized by the church’s sisterhood and brotherhood, during which their fraternal fellowship continued.