Watchful Faith: Saint Sava Cathedral as the Holy Assembly Approaches

As the Holy Assembly of Bishops (Sabor) prepares to convene on May 13, 2025, the faithful of Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland find themselves in a posture of vigilant anticipation. Our community watches with eyes peeled and hearts rooted in the bedrock of Orthodox faith, recognizing the profound significance this gathering holds for our Church's future.

A Century of Faithful Witness

Our parish's watchfulness today emerges directly from our hundred-year legacy of steadfast commitment to proper Orthodox governance and canonical order. When schismatic movements threatened to fragment the Serbian Orthodox Church in America in 1963, Saint Sava Cathedral stood firmly against division, maintaining unwavering loyalty to the Mother Church in Belgrade despite significant pressure.

This same spirit of faithful adherence to proper church order has characterized our ongoing support for the magnificent Saint Sava Temple in Belgrade, to which our community contributed significantly. Our donations for bells and columns in this spiritual center of Serbian Orthodoxy represent our tangible commitment to church unity under proper canonical authority.

Appeals for Just Governance

In recent months, our parish community has found it necessary to appeal directly to the Holy Synod regarding governance concerns that affect not only our local parish but potentially the broader health of the diocesan structure. These appeals have consistently maintained respect for hierarchical authority while seeking clarity on matters of financial transparency and adherence to established governance procedures.

Central to these concerns has been our desire to protect faithful clergy who serve with integrity, including our own Father Dragoslav Kosić, whose steadfast leadership has guided our community through challenging circumstances. His commitment to proper pastoral care and adherence to Orthodox traditions exemplifies the very qualities that should be protected and honored within our Church.

Concerning Patterns

Our watchfulness has been necessitated by troubling patterns that have emerged in recent months, including:

1. The use of divisive media tactics that attempt to portray faithful questioning as rebellion

2. Instances of uncanonical defiance that undermine proper church order

3. Financial discrepancies that raise questions about proper stewardship

4. Governance decisions that appear to contradict established protocols

These concerns have been documented and submitted through proper ecclesiastical channels, reflecting our community's commitment to addressing matters through established Orthodox procedures rather than through public controversy.

Clarity from Hierarchs

We find encouragement in the clarity demonstrated by several hierarchs who have affirmed the importance of transparent governance and proper canonical order. Their willingness to examine these matters thoughtfully gives us hope that the upcoming Holy Assembly will address any legitimate concerns while preserving the unity and integrity of our beloved Serbian Orthodox Church.

The Path Forward

As the Sabor begins on May 13th, our parish community maintains a posture of respectful watchfulness. We continue in prayer for His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije and all hierarchs who will participate in these important deliberations. Our sincere hope is that this Holy Assembly will reaffirm the principles of proper Orthodox governance that have sustained our Church through centuries of challenges.

We remain committed to our Serbian Orthodox heritage and traditions, confident that proper canonical order serves not to restrict but to preserve the authentic expression of our Orthodox faith for generations to come.

May God grant wisdom to all participants in the Holy Assembly, guiding them to decisions that strengthen the unity, integrity, and spiritual vitality of the Serbian Orthodox Church worldwide.

The Holy Assembly of Bishops (Sabor) will begin on May 13, 2025, in Belgrade. We invite all faithful to join in prayer for this significant gathering of our Church's hierarchs.