New Icon Windows Consecrated; Parish Marks 110th Anniversary

Five years of planning and fundraising for new stained glass icon-windows came to fruition on Sunday morning, October 30, 2011, with their blessing by His Grace the Rt. Rev. Dr. Mitrophan prior to the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. His Grace read the prayers for the blessing of Icons, naming all of the saints represented on the beautiful windows, including: Protection of the Theotokos, St. Nikolai of ZIcha, Sts. Cosmas and Damian, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. George the Great Martyr, Sts. Sava and Simeon, St. Lazar of Kosovo, and St. Petka (Paraskeva) of Serbia. Assisted by our own Proto Stevo Rocknage, he then proceeded to bless each individual window with holy water.

The consecration of the windows marked the 110th anniversary of our St. Sava parish. From humble beginnings by Serbian and Russian immigrants who purchased a small wood frame Church in downtown McKeesport in 1901, the dedication and sacrifice of those early newcomers flourished through the decades to the growth of the current congregation.

The church commissioned Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc. of Milwaukee, WI to design and install the windows. Meticulously designed and crafted, new stained glass windows are created by CSS artists and craftsmen in a variety of styles each year. In addition to their expertise in art glass, the studio has provided the decorative painting and restoration for some of the most beautiful churches, theatres hotels and civic spaces in the United States.  Their excellent work is truly reflected in our own new windows.

In addition to His Grace, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy concelebrants included Proto Stevo and his son, Rev. Christopher Rocknage, pastor at Holy Resurrection of Christ parish in Lebanon, PA. They were assisted by Rev. Deacon Ned Trbovich.  In a surprise to all at the Small Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Mitrophan awarded the “Right of Wearing the Pectoral Cross” to Fr. Stevo. His Grace’s proclamation, read by Fr. Christopher states, “Through his zeal in the service of the Priesthood, and for his dedicated and fruitful pastoral work, for his enormous contribution and work with our youth, as well as for his great efforts and support of our Shadeland camp, be it known that Protopresbyter Stevan Rocknage is deserving of the recognition of our Holy Serbian Orthodox Church. Therefore, we award him with the Right of Wearing the Pectoral Cross, trusting that this highest award of the Serbian Orthodox Church shall inspire him to continue with even greater zeal for the well being of our Church in the United States and Canada.”

Bishop Mitrophan gave a beautiful homily based on the raising of the widow of Nain’s son. He stressed the need to remember the sacrifices made by the generations s before us, and exhorted us to do the same, reminding us that the light and joy of Christ is celebrated in all Orthodox Churches and monasteries throughout the world. In this joy of Christ a large number of communicants received Holy Communion from His Grace during the Holy Liturgy.

A festive dinner followed the services. After dinner remarks were given by Bishop Mitrophan, parish council president Steve Kracinovsky, and Proto Stevo Rocknage. Proto Stevo called upon Founders’ Circle sponsors of the St. Sava Window fund to come forward and be recognized.  Founders’ Circle sponsors contributed $5,000 or more to the capital campaign. They included: Nick and Mitzi Pilipovich, George Pilipovich and Cathy Obradovich.  Founders’ Circle sponsors who were not present at the banquet included: Dush and Jennifer Mrvos, Helen Tankosic, Dolores Hess and the Radakovich family. Two of our supporting organizations, the St. Sava Men’s club and Sisterhood were also Founders’ Circle sponsors.

In another surprise to everyone, two citations of recognition (Episcopal Grammatas) were awarded by His Grace to Danica (Dee Dee) Baskot and James Brady. These awards are given by the Diocesan Bishop for outstanding service by a layperson in our Serbian Orthodox Church. Mrs. Baskot, who serves as parish council second vice president and as president of our Holy Trinity Kolo, was awarded the Grammata for her many good works in our parish and the Diocese. Mr. Brady, who serves as parish treasurer, received the Grammata for his work and dedication in chairing the window project and also for Parish Stewardship.  All present honored these two worthy individuals with the singing of “Mnogaja Ljeta.”

In concluding remarks, Proto Stevo told the crowd that a Bishop at a recent Pan-Orthodox Youth Council meeting stated, “Many people say ‘the youth are the future of the Church’. In fact, it is the other way around. The Church is the future of our youth.” As our Holy Orthodox Church continues to grow, our youth are expected to carry on the work of their parents and grandparents to preserve the Church for generations to come.

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