The Eternal Kingdom: Standing Firm in Faith Through Parish Trials

By Special Correspondent

Before facing overwhelming Ottoman forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, Tsar Lazar uttered words that would forever echo through Serbian Orthodox history: "If I will be attracted to the earthly kingdom, it is for little, momentary and fleeting, but the heavenly kingdom is always and forever."

Six centuries later, these words resonate deeply with the faithful of Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland, who find themselves engaged in their own struggle for spiritual principles against temporal powers.

Choosing the Heavenly Kingdom

As the governance dispute at Saint Sava Cathedral enters its fourth month, parishioners draw strength from Tsar Lazar's commitment to eternal rather than temporal values. While the battle they face isn't against an invading army but rather bureaucratic maneuvering and ecclesiastical politics, the choice remains similar: stand firm for enduring principles or yield to immediate pressures.

"We're not fighting for control or power," explains a long-time parishioner who requested anonymity. "We're standing for proper governance according to our bylaws and traditions. Like Tsar Lazar, we recognize that adhering to spiritual principles matters more than winning immediate victories."

This perspective has guided the community's approach throughout the controversy surrounding Bishop Irinej's rejection of their democratically elected board president and imposition of alternate arrangements that conflict with established parish procedures.

Patience in Persecution

The Saint Sava community's appeals to the Holy Synod and Patriarch in Belgrade reflect another dimension of Tsar Lazar's wisdom—the willingness to endure temporal difficulty for the sake of eternal truths.

"When we see our elected leaders rejected without proper cause, when false accusations go unchallenged, when our priest is undermined—these are moments that test our commitment," notes another parish member. "Tsar Lazar chose the heavenly kingdom knowing it meant earthly defeat. We're simply asking for fair treatment according to church law, but we're prepared to bear these difficulties rather than compromise our principles."

This patience has characterized the community's response even as they wait anxiously for Belgrade's response to their appeals. Rather than taking more drastic measures, they continue to follow proper ecclesiastical channels, demonstrating their commitment to church order even when facing what they perceive as injustice.

Preserving Serbian Orthodox Heritage

For the faithful at Saint Sava, the current governance dispute represents more than administrative disagreements—it touches on their mission to preserve Serbian Orthodox traditions in America.

"Just as Tsar Lazar fought to protect Serbian Orthodox heritage from foreign powers, we're working to maintain our traditions against forces that would diminish them," explains a parish council member. "Some want to reduce Serbian language instruction for our youth or change our traditional practices. But these aren't just cultural preferences—they're our spiritual inheritance."

This sense of spiritual inheritance provides context for why the community has responded so resolutely to governance changes they view as potentially threatening their parish's distinctive Orthodox witness and Serbian character.

Looking Beyond Temporal Conflicts

On Sunday, when parishioners refused to allow an outside priest to administer oaths to a partial board appointed by Bishop Irinej, they weren't simply engaging in administrative resistance. Many describe it as a principled stand grounded in the same spiritual values Tsar Lazar expressed.

"The earthly kingdom is momentary and fleeting," reflects one parishioner, directly echoing Tsar Lazar's words. "We could have compromised our principles for temporary peace. Instead, we're standing firm, awaiting proper resolution through the Holy Synod, because the integrity of our parish governance will affect generations to come."

As they await word from Belgrade, the Saint Sava community continues to pray for a resolution that honors both hierarchical authority and proper parish governance—a balance that points toward the heavenly kingdom that Tsar Lazar deemed worth every earthly sacrifice.

Editor's note: This article is part of a series exploring the spiritual dimensions of governance challenges facing Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral.