Corby, St Sava – 27 January 2018
With the Blessing of His Grace Dositej, the Bishop of Britain and Scandinavia, the renovations of the Church of St. the Prophet Elijah in Corby commenced in October 2016.
Firstly, the roof was repaired, followed by the electricity supply. Renovations of the water-damaged icons on the walls, the removal of twelve large frescoes, their repair and restoration to the original state, then four new frescoes were made for the altar, as well as new marble flooring and a chandelier.
During the reconstruction, several professional companies were appointed and a group of ten parishioners wholeheartedly gave their help throughout various phases of the work.
Whilst works commenced in the temple, regular worship was served in the parish hall, which caused its share of practical problems in the functioning of the parish.
On this road to renewal, plenty of unexpected problems arose and were capably discharged by project manager Radovan Vučković from Corby. Initially, a budget of £ 35,000 was envisaged. However the welcome additions of new frescoes at the altar (which was not foreseen in the original budget), the costs rose.
The biggest issue was the collection of necessary funding by way of contributions from parishioners. This was successfully undertaken by the parish priest Fr Radmilo Stokić.
With God's help, as well as the donations of the faithful, at the end of 2017 works were completed. His Grace Bishop Dositej determined that the consecration of the restored temple should take place on Saturday, January 27, 2018, on the St Sava’s day.
On St. Sava’s Eve, Bishop Dositej arrived in Corby, surveyed everything and gave a glowing opinion on everything that was done.
After dinner and conversation together with the president and members of the Board of Governors and Trustees from Corby, Bishop Dositej stayed overnight in the town.
On St. Sava’s Day, the clergy was welcomed by Bishop Dositej, as well as VIPs; HRH Princess Katarina Karađorđević (daughter of Prince Tomislav Karađorđević), General Consul of Serbia, Ms. Vesna Verčon - Ivić from London, Mayor of Corby, Cllr Matt Keane, representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, protopresbyter-stavrophore Fr. Gregory Butler from London, as well as the household of the hosts of the restored temple, Momčilo and Marija Novaković from Bedford.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served by His Grace Bishop Dositej. Co-serving with him were protopresbyter-stavrophores Žarko Nedić (Arhijerejski) from Bradford, Nikola Kotur from Oxford, Dragan Lazić from London, Fr. Gregory Butler from the Russian Orthodox Church in London and Proto Sindjel Stefan Ponjarac from Leicester.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy began with the sanctification of the temple, as well as the appointment of the archdeacon Aleksandar Chimbai, who along with his whole family, have proved worthy parishioners who have been spiritually active in the life of this parish for 16 years.
The choir consisted of singers Olga Chimbai, Predrag Trkulja, Milica Nedić and Petar Bogunović, led by protinica Seka Stokić.
The Bishop blessed the slavski bread for the occasion of the celebration of Sv. Sava, the first Serbian enlightener, and the hosts were Lazar and Danica Vuković from Corby.
At the end of Divine Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Dositej awarded contributors (towards the reconstruction of the temple) Gramatas and diptychus (as a symbol of appreciation for their efforts and love).
The Chetnik Circle of Serbian sisters prepared a ceremonial banquet at the church hall, with beautiful decorations by Anđela Rađenović from Peterborough.
Host Proto Radmilo opened the programme at the ceremonial Banquet and presented all the VIPs, the clergy and the parishioners, who were warmly welcomed by everyone present. The assembly were welcomed by the project manager of the reconstruction works at the temple, Radovan Vučković from Corby, as well as the host of blessing of the renovated temple Momčilo Novaković from Bedford.
At the end of the program, His Grace Bishop Dositej conferred special Gramatas and diptychus to "great benefactors" for the reconstruction of the temple, and especially to the host (kum) of the temple restoration, Momcilo Novaković.
Children from the Foklore Group "Avala" welcomed HRH Princess Katarina with a bouquet of beautiful flowers.
The second part of the program was dedicated to St. Sava. Led by Mirjana Karan, the children recited verse and hymns to St. Sava. At the end of the program, the two groups from the "Avala" dance ensemble performed several rounds of “kolo” to the delight of the assembled gathering.
Ultimately, it can be said that the project for the reconstruction of the Church of Holy Prophet Elijah in Corby was an unqualified success. The quality of the works (as the project manager Radovan Vučković called attention to in his speech) and in particular the fact that the works were completed without raising any debt, i.e. that funds needed were freely donated by parishioners, who we should once again thank for their love towards their Serbian Orthodox Church and their parish of St. Andrew the Apostle.
The account dedicated towards the Construction Fund will continue to operate, since in the springtime it will be necessary to undertake external works in churchyard to overhaul the drainage from the roof of the church to the drainpipes, as well as the parking.
The names of all donors for these repairs have been recorded on a specially made commemorative plaque in the temple, as a symbol of appreciation for the financial, as well as works, contributed to this project.
The parish board of St. the Andrew the Apostle, along with the parish priest Proto Radmilo and the Building Committee managed by Radovan Vučković, once again commends all those who in any way helped renovate the church of Hole Prophet Elijah, as well as in the very successful consecration of the same, because;
"Whoever gives to the Church lends to God; and God remains indebted to no one"
By РАС прес // RAS press
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Photo Gallery of the renovated St. Elijah's Church in Corby: