The Day of the Cross and the Epiphany are also prayerfully celebrated in Florida, in North Port. The Serbs there, gathered around the Church and School Municipality of St. Sava, are diligent in preserving tradition and culture.

North Port, with almost 60,000 inhabitants, also boasts a Serbian community. The settlement of Serbs began before 1914 and between and after the two great world wars. Each time brought with it various disagreements and problems. With the erection of the St. Sava Church, the Serbs settled down and continued living on spiritual foundations.

– We can say that this is a church of reconciliation. There were many disagreements and schisms, and now everything is fine, thank God – said the protopresbyter Aleksandar Đurđević, the parish priest.

In the Church and School Municipality, among several hundred believers are those who came long ago or recently from Serbia, Montenegro, Republic of Srpska and the rest of BiH. The St. Sava church is a reminder of the homeland to many.

– One is in Kosovo and Metohija, and the other in the Republic of Srpska in Milići – he added.

After graduating from the Saints Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Prizren, Arsenije Terzić also arrived in America to study at the Serbian Orthodox School of Theology in Libertyville. The son of a priest from the vicinity of Kraljevo was warmly received in this Saint Sava community.

– My opinion was that everyone was busy here, but no – people are the same in faith and prayer as in Serbia – said Arsenije Terzić, student at the Serbian Orthodox School of Theology in Libertyville.

Miroslav Đurić also witnessed the resurrection of the life of Orthodox Serbs in North Port. Born in Fakovići, he fondly remembers his homeland. He started a family and incorporated himself with his compatriots in arranging the Serbian sanctity. In his thoughts he is constantly on his grandfather’s land.

– America has provided a lot, but my heart is always in my ancestral country – says Đurić.

With the blessing of Bishop Irinej of Eastern America, a rich spiritual and cultural life has been organized. They organize numerous events, spiritual evenings, learn about religion, tradition and customs.