On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, a specialist mentoring lecture was held at the parish hall of the Church of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist in Voždovac. The event was intended for clergy of the Archdiocese of Belgrade–Karlovci with up to three years of priestly service. The topic of the meeting was: “The Funeral Service – Liturgical Practice, Practical Advice, and Providing Comfort to Parishioners.” Twenty priests participated in the lecture.
At the beginning of the session, the Secretary of the Missionary Department, Deacon Dušan Todorović, expressed his gratitude to the participating clergy for their attendance and active participation in the lectures organized by the Parish Mission Section of the AEM Missionary Department. He also conveyed the greetings of Presbyter Dr. Oliver Subotić, Head of the Missionary Department, who was in Budapest at the time, delivering a themed lecture at the Sava Tekelija Foundation (Tekelijanum).
The main speaker was Protopresbyter-Stavrophore Vajo Jović, Coordinator of the Parish Mission Section. In the presentation, based on his extensive priestly experience and pastoral practice, he offered a series of valuable recommendations and guidelines regarding the conducting of funeral services, emphasizing both the liturgical order and the pastoral aspect of offering comfort to the bereaved.
In his introductory remarks, Fr. Vajo briefly addressed the importance of this ever-present topic, and directed the clergy to early Christian literature of the Eastern Church Fathers, who wrote extensively about death, the state of the soul after death, and the relationship between body and soul. Among the recommended works were: Eastern Fathers of the 4th Century, The Mystery of Death – What Awaits Us, and Life After Life.
The lecturer particularly emphasized the importance of reflecting on death, stating that contemplating life from the perspective of its end enables a person to live more fully and meaningfully, and oriented towards the Resurrection of Christ. He further stressed that this issue is of essential importance not only for one’s personal spiritual growth but also for the missionary work of the Church, as it represents one of the most sensitive yet fruitful areas where pastoral work can yield deep and lasting results. In this context, he provided instructive examples from his many years of experience.
Fr. Vajo also devoted special attention to the practical aspects of the funeral service, beginning with the moment someone arrives to request the rite, the service itself and the subsequent commomerations. He offered practical advice concerning administrative matters, punctuality, and the delivery of a fitting homily, which is an integral part of the funeral rite. He particularly emphasized that the homily should be directed toward the bereaved family and should serve as a word of comfort in their time of loss, noting that people in such moments are exceptionally attentive and sensitive to what the priest says. For this reason, the homily should be carefully prepared, pastorally measured, and centered on the message of the Resurrection.
Fr. Vajo Jović then offered a critical reflection on certain inappropriate practices that, unfortunately, may occasionally be observed among clergy during funeral services. He pointed out several specific issues to which priests should pay close attention. In particular, he emphasized the need for punctuality, strict adherence to the prescribed texts without additions or alterations, and careful attention to every word spoken.
The attending clergy actively participated in the interactive part of the lecture, asking questions related to the topic and sharing their own pastoral experiences encountered in ministry. The exchange of opinions and practical examples contributed to a deeper understanding of the pastoral role within the context of the funeral rite. The entire lecture, along with the discussion, lasted approximately ninety minutes and took place in a constructive and stimulating atmosphere.
