The traditional picnic at Kinglake "Gravcheto" bringing back the past

Under the shade of a eucalypt tree, close to the monastery of St. Klement of Ohrid at “Macedonia Park", King Lake, was the place to be on Sunday the 10th of December, where the annual Saint’s Day picnic was held. There was much merrymaking with songs and dances, tasty bean soup and traditional barbecue.

Macedonian picnic "Gravcheto" Source: SBS

The day marked the celebration of the Macedonian Orthodox Monastery of "St. Klement of Ohrid", including a holy liturgy held by Archimandrite Gavril Galev.

Archimandrite Gavril Galev of Holy Liturgy Source: SBS

Following the Holy Liturgy, the blessing of the Slavski Kolac and Holy Water was performed by Archimandrite Gavril in conjunction with priests from the monastery.

The blessing of the Slavic Cake and the Sanctuary Source: SBS

Archimandrite Gavril blessed the traditional monasterial bean soup which many worshippers shared with great delight and marvelled at the cullinary skills of chefs Tode and Nada Iliev and Trajanka Trajkova.

The visitors filled the sanctuary and waited for the order for a lean monastery bean Source: SBS

The visitors filled their bottles with holy water and waited in line for their portion of the monasterial bean soup.

Visitors to the picnic in the preparation of tents and barbecue. Source: SBS

Visitors to the picnic prepare their tents and bar-b-ques in preparation of favourite dishes from the Macedonian cuisine.

Picture - Visitors to the picnic prepare tents and bar-b-ques.

The Macedonian band "Rum Dum Dum" was part of the entertainment program. Source: SBS

As part of the entertainment line-up, Macedonian band "Rum Dum Dum" and bagpiper Julius performed.

Macedonian dance has spread. Source: SBS

The beautiful sunny day was enjoyed to the maximum. No one could remain indifferent to the beautiful Macedonian music that roared throughout the monastery complex, as the dances continued one by one.

Mirco Angelovski and Archimandrite Gavril addressed the audience Source: SBS

Visitors to the picnic were greeted by the President of the Macedonian Community for Melbourne and Victoria Mirco Angelovski and Archimandrite Gavril Galev.

They thanked everyone for their participation and announced there would soon be more events at the Kinglake monastery

Photo gallery from the Macedonian picnic "Gravcheto"