On September 17th, a lecture titled “Serving the Divine Liturgy – Practical Recommendations” was held, at the Church of St. Parascheva parish hall in Čukarica. The lecture, organised by the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade and Karlovci, as part of the mentoring programme for young priests, was delivered by Protopresbyter-Stavrophore Vajo Jović, with Presbyter Dr. Oliver Subotić acting as a moderator. The lecture was opened by Presbyter Vladimir Radović, a coordinator of the Missionary Department’s events at the said church. He greeted the audience on behalf of the resident clergy and wished everybody a warm welcome.
Father Vajo Jović emphasised the important aspects of serving the Divine Liturgy, pointedly warning the young priests about the challenges they are likely to face when preparing for it. His lecture abounded in practical recommendations, emphasising the key elements of a priest’s life and the necessary preparations for the Divine Liturgy.
Father Vajo emphasised the importance of having a prayer rule, as an integral part of a priest’s life. He maintained that a priest must always be in a prayerful frame of mind, in order to be able to serve the Divine Liturgy adequately. At the same time, punctuality and discipline in attending the church are crucial for the priest to be able to prepare for the service in peace.
With regards to the relationship with the parishioners, Father Vajo spoke about the importance of having a pleasant, dignified and attentive attitude towards the faithful.
A special emphasis was placed on an attentive and conscientious attitude towards worship. It needs to follow the church rules, with a particular emphasis on the order of the service. Father Vajo pointed out that special attention needs to be paid to each believer during the Eucharist, since it marks the most important moment in the life of every Christian.
After the Liturgy, the priest must handle the Holy Gifts carefully, and ensure that they are treated with the utmost respect.
Father Oliver Subotić, the moderator and also the director of the Missionary Department, shared his own practical experiences during the lecture. He put a special emphasis on the importance of the constant state of readiness for the priests, both spiritual and physical, so they would be prepared for any eventuality, such as standing in for a fellow priest, in case of an illness. He also emphasised that the priests need to be ever- ready for the Liturgy, irrespective of whether they are on duty or not, physically and prayerfully, with a clear awareness of their high priestly calling.
The lecture was very inspirational and beneficial for all present, especially for the young priests, who received valuable advice and instructions for their daily practice. In a cordial atmosphere, the attending priests showed great interest and gratitude for the opportunity to hear such wise words and counsel. The inspirational lecture ended in a spirit of cooperation, where everyone was enriched by the new spiritual experience.
We give special thanks to Fathers Vajo and Oliver, for devoting their time and energy in guiding the young, upcoming labourers in the Lord’s vineyard, for whom their counsel will prove to be invaluable.
Presbyter Vladimir Radović
The Expert Council member of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade and Karlovci
PHOTOS: Photo archive of the Church of the Venerable Mother Paraskeva
