In a small chapel on the Kalemegdan hill, we were approached by a gregarious theology student named Slavko. Having learned about our various foreign origins, he led us on an unsolicited, if highly appreciated, tour of the local Orthodox landmarks. This may have been the first time in my life when the knowledge of Orthodox traditions implanted in my head by my mother has actually proved socially useful: I was able to sustain a conversation about Saint Seraphim of Sarov and kissed the icons in the correct order, with the correct attitude. Slavko was impressed. Urged Philip to hold on to me, such an uncommonly religious girl. Insisted we take a picture next to Saint Petka.
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| Sveta Petka |
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| Gerard Butler as Slavko |
Like Gerard Butler in the 2003 movie Timeline, Slavko could have led us through the centuries, making use of his theological training and eventually finding his happiness in the same parish with Sveta Petka. Maybe if we took him up on his kind offer to come to the service on Thursday, the time-travelling adventure would have indeed happened. But we did not go to the church: instead, we spent the day getting lost in shady parts of Belgrade, looking for Tito's Museum, and finding it finally half an hour before closing, without any cash to buy tickets.
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