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2010 ARCHIVED DIOCESAN NEWS
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[Archived News] Friday, March 5, 2010
ПРОСЛАВЕ ЦРКВЕНЕ СЛАВЕ
СВЕТОГА СИМЕОНА МИРОТОЧИВОГ
Шарлот, Северна Каролина - У
недељу, 28.фебруара прославили смо нашу црквену славу у свечаној
атмосфери и уз пригодaн програм узимајући у обзир да је време великог
поста. Након Свете Литургије, Литије око храма и освећења славског
колача и жита, уз свечани посни ручак, приказан је филм о Мирослављевом
Јеванђељу који је обиловао интересантним податцима и детаљима из Србске
историје.
Кумови овогодишње славе је породица Станка и Зарифе
Бјелац а представник породице била је њихова снаја Слађана Бјелац која
је уз помоћ Кола Србских Сестара припремила свечани ручак. Следеће
године, кумови ће бити Радован и Боса Каран.
Хвала свима који су помогли у припреми прославе и увеличали овој дан својим присуством.
Срећна Слава и nа Многаја љета!
CELEBRATION OF ST. SIMEON THE MYRRH-FLOWING,
OUR CHURCH SLAVA
Charlotte, NC -
Thе celebration of our church Slava was held on Sunday, February 28th.
After the Holy Liturgy and Procession around the church, Slava Bread
and wheat were blessed and the celebration continued with an
appropriate program, keeping in mind that this is the time of the Great
Fast. During the delicious, fasting lunch, we had a film presentation
about Miroslav’s Gospel. Film contained many interesting information
and details about Serbian history and culture.
Hosts of this year’s Slava was Bjelac family. They were represented by
their daughter in law, Sladjana, who prepared festive lunch with the
help of Circle of Serbian Sisters. Next year’s hosts will be Radovan
and Bosa Karan.
We extend gratitude to all of you who helped prepare this year’s celebration and enhanced this event with your presence.
Merry Slava and God grant you many years!
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[Archived News] Wednesday, March 3, 2010
OUR FAITH: THE GUIDE FOR ALL CHURCH WORK
A talk given at the annual Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Eastern American Diocese in Cleveland on February 27.
Last Sunday we celebrated the Triumph of Orthodoxy. We all celebrated the triumph of the True Orthodox Faith and beliefs over false beliefs, which are called “heresies.” We believe that God has revealed Himself and His Truth to the world in our Lord Jesus Christ, and that our Orthodox Christian Faith has preserved, guarded and maintained that Truth from generation to generation. We would all believe and accept this.
That work of maintaining the Truth has not always been easy. There have always been those who prefer their own beliefs and reasonings to that received from Christ and His Apostles in the Church. Those people sometimes had powerful backing from powerful people, who helped them push their false beliefs – their heresies – on the people of God.
That is what happened with the specific false teaching or heresy of iconoclasm or icon breaking, the triumph over which we celebrated last week. There were those who said icons were idols and so could not be used by Christians. They said God is pure spirit, not visible or material, and so could not be depicted with wood and paint. Some of the Byzantine emperors believed this teaching and ordered icons to be banned and destroyed, and the defenders of icons to be persecuted.
But there were others in the Church who defended the icons. They said that it is true that God is spirit and not material, and cannot be seen. But, they said, God at a certain point in history became material. In Jesus of Nazareth, God Himself took on flesh, a human body, and all of our human nature. And because this is true, God, through taking on a material body — through becoming incarnate — can be depicted through material means in icons. They said that not only could He be depicted in icons, but that for Orthodox Christians He must be depicted in icons, as a testimony to the reality of the incarnation, which so many rejected. (Just as an aside, one of the reasons some of the Byzantine Emperors were against icons was because they were under attack by a new threat, the expansion of the newly-established religion of Islam. By getting rid of icons and downplaying belief in the incarnation of God as a Man, they hoped to appease the Muslims, who rejected these things.)
So, the celebration of the Triumph of Orthodoxy is about more than just whether we use icons or not. It is about a basic article of our faith: The belief that God has come into the world and become one of us. That He took on a material body just as we have, and that in rising from the dead and ascending into heaven He has taken that Body with Him and made it divine. He has reclaimed all of Creation for Himself, and has again made matter holy. Many of the things we do in the Church are based on this very important and basic belief in the sanctification of the material world. We bless water to refer it again to God and make it, and through it everything in the world, a means of communion with Him. We bless food and drink to make our everyday act of eating and drinking a holy thing, a means of participating in God’s love for us. We keep and honor the relics of saintly men and women who have gone before us as being a means of contact with the holy. And above all, every week or even more often, we offer bread and wine to God as symbols of our whole life, of the whole world, and of everything God has made for us. God gives the grain and grapes, and we apply our work in planting them, cultivating them, harvesting them, working with them and processing them so that we have our gifts of bread and wine, the fruit of our cooperation with God. And in offering these things to God at every Divine Liturgy, He returns them to us both materially and spiritually as Himself, Christ’s own Body and Blood, so that we can be united with Christ both in body and in soul.
Why have I gone through all of this? Because, I think, even though we celebrate the restoration of icons and the Triumph of Orthodoxy over false belief and heresy, we don’t always really show our belief in these things in our everyday lives, and maybe especially in our Church life. How can I say that?
You are all active in your parish church communities. You have all served on congregation boards and worked hard for the Church. How many times, in your years of church work, have you heard somebody say, “We need to run the Church as a business.” I have heard it often enough, at all levels of church work. What does this usually mean? In the best cases it means that we can use good principles of business management to help us be good stewards of God’s gifts to us, and to advance the work of the Church. That is certainly true, and we should try to apply good principles of business management, accountability, and integrity to everything we do in the Church.
But in too many cases, those who say “We need to run the Church as a business” really mean that we need to turn a profit, that we need to “be successful” in a strictly worldly material sense, that what really counts is the “bottom line” on the financial statement at the end of the year. If this is what is meant, spiritual considerations take a back seat, or are totally irrelevant.
Yet, if that is the case — if the spiritual and material have nothing to do with one another — are we not simply restating that old heresy upon which iconoclasm is based, the defeat of which we celebrated last week: that spiritual things and material things have nothing to do with one another, that they can be kept in separate compartments so that they do not touch and contaminate each other? If this is how we think, are we not in actuality denying the meaning and power of the incarnation, of the Christmas miracle, that God Himself becomes a part of the material world in order to sanctify matter and make it holy to Him, in order to save and transfigure all things material and make them again a means of communion with Him?
Orthodox Christianity believes that we are saved with matter, not from it. We see that God made everything “very good” as the creation account in Genesis says, and that it is our vocation as Christians to rediscover this “very good” in everything, to thank God for it, and to return all things to God’s original purpose for them — the purpose of revealing God’s presence and love in all things. Is this not what the whole concept of Christian Stewardship, which we have been emphasizing so much, is all about?
No, in the Church there can be no separation between the spiritual and the material. The idea that the priest (or the Bishop) is responsible only for spiritual things, and that the supposedly “less holy” people of God are only responsible for material things is totally false. Everyone in the Church is responsible for both the material and the spiritual welfare of the Church.
But there is a God-established order in the Church of how this responsibility of all is carried out. That order is best seen in the services of the Church, especially in the Divine Liturgy when it is celebrated in all its fullness, with the “laos tou Theou,” the laity, the people of God, and the elders of the people, the presbyters, gathered around their bishop as the icon of Christ. It is the Diocese which is the basic structure of Christ’s Church. As St. Ignatius of Antioch said early in the second century as he was going to his martyrdom in Rome, “Let no one do anything connected with the Church without the Bishop. Wherever the Bishop appears, there let the multitude of the people be; just as where Christ Jesus is, there is the universal church.” The parish, the local congregation, is an extension or outpost of the diocese. There can be no such thing as an “independent” parish, apart from the Bishop, just as there can be no bishop separate from Christ, or from Christ’s people.
Just as there is an order in the Church which is visible in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, there is also an order in our church administration. The local congregation naturally has the task of looking out for its local parish, but this task cannot be carried out in isolation from the bishop or the other congregations. Nothing unusual or special should be done without the bishop’s blessing and approval, not to say his knowledge. And that, as we discussed earlier, includes both spiritual and material or financial things. The very ancient Apostolic Canon 41 states this point explicitly: “We ordain that the bishop have authority over the goods of the Church: for if he is to be entrusted with the precious souls of men, much more are temporal possessions to be entrusted to him. He is therefore to administer them all of his own authority…”
That is why it is important that we all follow the procedures we have established in the Church. Congregation budgets and financial statements, as well as those who serve the parish in leadership roles as officers and church school teachers, must be approved by the Bishop so that he can carry out his office as the “overseer” or “supervisor” of everything done in his diocese. (The Greek word for “bishop,” episkopos, means exactly and literally “overseer” or “supervisor.”) Local congregation by-laws must agree with the constitution and rules and regulations of the Church, and all by-laws must be approved by the Bishop and the Diocesan Council he has to assist him, to ensure that each parish is governed in conformity with the Church’s common faith.
Of course, this Orthodox concept of “conciliarity” or “sabornost” also goes the other way. The Diocese makes its report on its spiritual and financial activities to the representatives of all the parishes each year at these Diocesan Assemblies. The Diocesan Council is elected at the Assembly with the approval of the Bishop. It is at Diocesan Assemblies like these that we truly see an icon of the Church as the clergy and people of God gathered around their Bishop and around the altar of God, focused on our Lord Jesus Christ who is present with us in the Eucharist.
All this also means that the parish priest, who is appointed by the bishop to represent him in the parish and to whom the priest is responsible, cannot be excluded from the administration of property or financial matters. The priest sits on the congregation board and has a particular responsibility to make sure that all actions undertaken by the board or congregation are spiritually as well as financially sound. Congregation boards themselves, and all the parishioners whom they represent, must always be careful that everything be done “decently and in order” as St. Paul says, remembering that every action they take has both spiritual and material consequences, and that as Christ’s Church we always serve Christ and must be careful to do everything in a way pleasing to Him and honoring Him as our Lord and Master.
This also means that we must always remain focused on the ultimate goal and purpose of the Church of God, which is to manifest the Kingdom of God here and now among us, and so to bring salvation in Christ to all people. It is not enough to have beautiful buildings, fat bank accounts and that positive bottom line. We cannot be “successful” as Christ’s Church unless everything we do serves Christ, and is faithful to His teaching and example.
Doing this is a constant struggle in a sinful and fallen world, which constantly tries to divert us from this straight and narrow path. In our personal lives we have the Great Fast we are currently in to teach us to put the spiritual firmly in charge of the material, in part through the self-discipline of voluntarily submitting to the discipline of the Church. We must always do the same in the lives of our Church communities. We must willingly and joyfully accept and embrace the God-given order and discipline of the Church. We as congregations must honor the fasts as well as the feasts in every activity we undertake. Remembering that our first and primary purpose as Church is to worship God in faith and truth, we must emphasize and nurture a vibrant and active liturgical and spiritual life in our parish. Remembering the Great Commission of Christ to preach the Good News of salvation, we must make teaching and outreach a primary task and purpose of all our activities. In everything we do as Christ’s Church we must be good examples of what it means to be Christian, and eliminate anything which dishonors Christ, and us as His followers.
If we remember these things, and if we allow ourselves to be guided by the deep truths of our Orthodox Christian faith in everything we do, in unity in Christ and with one another and in love for God and each other, then everything we do will be for the glory of God and for the salvation of our souls. Only then will we be “successful” as Church communities and be worthy of hearing Christ say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Fr. Rade Merick
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[Archived News] Wednesday, March 3, 2010
RESOLUTIONS
of the Annual Assembly of the
Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America
February 26-27, 2010
The clergy and congregation representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America, gathered at the annual Diocesan Assembly held at St. Sava Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio on February 26-27, 2010 under the omophorion of their Archpastor Rt. Rev. Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, adopted the following resolutions:
1. The words of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle of blessed memory are still fresh in our minds: “Let our words be mild, but our arguments powerful.” Because of our belief in the resurrection we continue to experience a joyful sadness at his translation into the heavenly Church. May God grant his soul blessed repose!
The All-Merciful Lord filled us with spiritual joy when the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, in its concern for the unity of the Patriarchate, elected by the Holy Spirit as our Church’s 45th Patriarch His Grace Irinej, long-time bishop of the diocese of Nis.
We welcome his election and sincerely greet His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, praying that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may grant him health and wisdom that he may successfully guide the ship of the Serbian Orthodox Church through the stormy waters of the new world order. Many years, Holy Master!
2. We remain extremely concerned about the crisis in the Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohije. This Diocese has consistently supported the stand of the Holy Assembly of Bishops and of the Serbian government that the declaration of an independent, Albanian ruled Kosovo is an illegal action both in international law and contrary to United Nations resolutions. We continue to support this stand, and once again reaffirm our unshakable determination that Kosovo is and remains Serbia.
We have all heard that His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raska-Prizren, the Bishop of Kosovo and Metohija, has been suspended from the administration of his diocese and is being investigated by the Holy Synod. This news if very regrettable as Bishop Artemije has been a heroic figure standing up for justice and truth for his suffering Orthodox Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija. We are not privy to the issues between Bishop Artemije and the Holy Synod, but have heard many conflicting rumors. We pray that the issues between the Holy Synod and Bishop Artemije will be resolved fairly and quickly by the Holy Assembly of Bishops on their own ecclesiastical merits, independent of any and all extraneous considerations. We hope that at the conclusion of this process His Grace Bishop Artemije will be able to return as the head of his Diocese.
3. We are grateful to God and overjoyed that we finally, after so many years, are meeting together as clergy and parish representatives of one unified territorial diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Eastern America. May this unity in one Faith, one Church and one Lord never again be broken. We call on all our congregations to support our diocese and Bishop, to take seriously the faith and order of the Orthodox Church, and to work on implementing that order in the lives of their local communities.
Greetings to Bishops Georgije, Longin and Maxim
The annual Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America, held at St. Sava Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio February 26-27, 2010 under the omophor of our Archpastor, His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan, extends its greetings to Your Grace and all our brothers and sisters of Your God-protected Diocese. We look forward to continuing with You and Your flock our common work of building up the Body of Christ in all its fullness in the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America. May God protect and preserve both You and Your flock, and grant You many years of dividing God’s truth. Eis polla eti, Despota!
Greeting to Met. Christopher
The annual Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America, held at St. Sava Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio February 26-27, 2010 under the omophor of our Archpastor, His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan, extends its greetings to Your Eminence and all our brothers and sisters of Your God-protected Metropolitanate. We look forward to continuing with You and Your flock our common work of building up the Body of Christ in all its fullness in the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America. May God protect and preserve both You and Your flock, and grant You many years of dividing God’s truth. Eis polla eti, Despota!
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[Archived News] Friday, February 5, 2010
BISHOP JEROME CELEBRATES ST. SAVA AT SERBIAN CHURCH IN ELIZABETH IN NEW JERSEY
Elizabeth, NJ - On Wednesday, January 27, on the Serbian feast of the holy hierarch St. Sava, His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan (Russian Church Abroad), celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. George Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ. Shortly before the greeting of Vladyka, the wonder-working Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God arrived at the church, accompanied by diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov. A special and unexpected joy occurred in church: the genuine unity in Holy Orthodoxy of the Russian and Serbian peoples was tangible when, instead of the parish choir, the entire church sang the Divine Liturgy in Slavonic and Serbian.
His Grace was co-served by Archimandrite Athanasy (Mastalski; rector of the Church of Our Lady "Joy Of All Who Sorrow" in Philadelphia, PA), Fr. Serge, parish rector Archpriest Zoran Radovic, Priest Vladislav Radujkovic (cleric of St. Sava’s Cathedral in Manhattan), and deacons Dimitri Temidis (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Leonid Roschko (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell, NJ), and Nathan Mousselli (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ). Also praying in church were Archpriest George Zelenin (rector of St. Michael Church in Paterson, NJ) and the Hon. Branko Radosevic, Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in New York City, who came to share in the joyous festivities.
In his sermon, Bishop Jerome joyously noted how many festal events, or "Slavas," were coinciding that day: not only was it the feast of St. Sava, but also the Leavetaking of the Theophany, the feast of St. Nina, Equal-of-the-Apostles, and, due to the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, also a fast-free Wednesday. Upon completion of the Liturgy, the Serbian "Slava," or traditional blessing of the kolach bread, was performed. After the reading of the prayers of the rite, the priests and the people lifted the round, decorated breads into the air and spun them, singing "Rejoice, O Isaiah." The deacons then proclaimed the polychronion to the newly elected Patriarch Irinej of Serbia and to all those present.
After the service, a bountiful luncheon was served in the parish hall, during which the parish children presented a beautiful repertoire of prayers and poems dedicated to the feast. On behalf of the parish school, Fr. Zoran presented the Consul General with a book on the life of St. Sava. Fr. Serge then presented the photomontage of the Kursk Icon’s visit to Russia in September.
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[Archived News] Wednesday, January 27, 2010
BISHOP MITROPHAN CELEBRATES ST. SAVA IN BELGRADE
Belgrade, Serbia -
His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America served the Holy
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy today, the feast day of St. Sava the first
archbishop of Serbia, at the St. Sava Church on Vracar in Serbia,
together with His Grace Bishop Peter of Cleveland (Russian Church
Abroad) and His Grace Bishop Atanasije, Vicar Bishop of Hvosno
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[Archived News] Wednesday, January 25, 2010
THEOPHANY CELEBRATION OF ST. GEORGE CHURCH IN CARMICHAELS
Carmichaels, PA - For the past eleven years, during the time the Holy Orthodox Church celebrates Theophany, parishioners of the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels,Pennsylvania have traveled to the nearby Monongahela River for a brief service and blessing of the river.
Normally the weather is quite cold. Snow and ice have been common. This year on January 24, the outpouring of heavy rain seemed it would not end. Parishioners were resolute and didn’t hesitate to go to the river bank.
The hill approaching the river was quite muddy but the faithful went forth. At the riverside, members of St. George Choir under the direction of Sonia Janson assembled and heartily sang responses and did the festal readings.
Andrea Janson and Djelosh Milosevich have faithfully participated in the readings each year. This year they were joined by Stojan from Monroeville who read from his heart in Serbian language the reading from the Holy Prophet Isaiah.
Readings from the Holy Prophet Isaiah, the Holy Apostle Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians and the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark are part of the riverside service each year.
Meaningful verses from the Feast of Theophany remind believers in attendance of the manifestation of the Holy Trinity and of the importance of Christ in their lives.
The service at the river culminates with the troparion of the feast being sung and the placing of an ice cross into the river waters. The ice cross is made each year by Sonia Janson specifically for this purpose.
The Monongahela River touches and affects the lives of thousands of people. Everyone served and affected by the Mon River can benefit from the prayers of the Feast of Theophany and renewal in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The liturgical celebration of Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan and the resultant renewal initiated for believers begins with a forefeast and is an extensive celebration with an afterfeast lasting for several days.
The blessing of the Monongahela River has become an annual expectation and interest has grown. Following the river blessing, parishioners attend the Slava celebration of Executive Board President Stan Brozik.
Stan and his wife Karen celebrate the Synaxis of St.John the Baptist as their Slava. They host the faithful attending the river blessing. The Slava celebration is an added joy for parishioners and a fitting conclusion to the Mon River blessing.
Father Rodney Torbic
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[Archived News] Saturday, January 23, 2010
ENTHRONEMENT OF PATRIARCH IRINEJ OF SERBIA
Belgrade, Serbia - The act of the enthronement of the newly elected Holy Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci and Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, was performed today, on Saturday January 23, 2010, at the end of the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy at the Cathedral church in Belgrade.
Concelebrating with His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia were his brothers Bishops, priests and deacons, and also the representatives of Russian and Greek Church. The Holy Liturgy was attended by Apostolic Nuncio to Serbia Mr. Orlando Antonini, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hocevar, Reis-ul-ulema of the Islamic Community of Serbia Adem ef. Zilkic; Serbian Mufti Muhamed ef. Jusufspahic, representatives of churches and religious communities in Serbia; Ms. Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Mirko Cvetkovic, Prime Minister of the Government of theRepublic ofSerbia; Mr. Milorad Dodik, Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Srpska; Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic with his wife; prof. Dr. Bogoljub Sijakovic, Minister of Faith in the Serbian Government; Mr. Ivica Dacic, Minister of Internal Affairs in the Serbian Government; Mr. Dragan Djilas, mayor of Belgrade; Mr. Mladjan Djordjevic, assistant to the President of the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Dragan Curovic, state secretary at the Ministry of Faith in the Government of Serbia.
In the course of handing over the patriarchate insignia to Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral recalled the life, deeds and sacrifices of the previous Serbian Patriarchs. Metropolitan Amfilohije wished His Holiness to be a worthy successor to St. Sava and all the other his saints, the worthy and honorable predecessors.
His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, in an initial sermon, he pointed out that today was a great day for not only him personally but also for our Church and our people, because Patriarch of Serbia always represented, before God and in history the fullness of his people, sharing its fate, its tragedies, but also its joy. His Holiness said that his heart flapped like a leaf in the wind, that he quivered with the consciousness and the knowledge before the question whether he was worthy of this high degree, honor and responsibility.
"So this time, my thought is directing to God, our Savior, Great Shepherd of the Church, who awarded me with goodness and grace of His" said Patriarch Irinej of Serbia."
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[Archived News] Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Photo-report
BISHOP MITROPHAN OF EASTERN AMERICA TAKES PART IN THEOPHANY CELEBRATION IN BELGRADE
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[Archived News] Monday, January 18, 2010
BISHOP MITROPHAN OF EASTERN AMERICA
TO TAKE PART IN THEOPHANY CELEBRATION
IN BELGRADE
Belgrade, Serbia -
A festive celebration of Epiphany in the Archbishopric of
Belgrade-Karlovac and Municipality of Cukarica will commence with the
Divine Liturgies at churches of St. George and St. Petka on Cukarica
at 8.30 am. At the church of St. Petka His Eminence Metropolitan
Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, the Locum tenens of the
Patriarchate throne, will serve with the concelebration of Their Graces
Bishops Mitrofan of Eastern America and Atanasije of Hvosno.
Formal
cross processions will start from the both churches around 10.45 and
they will merge together before Ada Ciganlija, where an act of Blessing
of Waters will be performed with lowering of the Precious Cross into
the water. Following this there will be a traditional Epiphany Cross
swimming competition for the Cross.
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[Archived News] Monday, January 18, 2010
ELIZABETH PARISH ANNOUNCES NEW WEBSITE
Elizabeth, NJ - Protonamesnik
Zoran Radovic together with the members of the St. George Serbian
Orthodox Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey wishes to announce their new
parish website page: www.stgeorgeelizabeth.org.
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[Archived News] Tuesday, January 5, 2010
SECOND ANNUAL EASTERN DIOCESE CLERGY GATHERING Photos
Shadeland, PA - With the Archpastoral Blessings of Diocesan Bishop, His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, a number of clergy of the Eastern American Diocese came to St. Sava Camp- Shadeland, the location of the Monastery of the Most Holy Mother of God, for the Second Annual Clergy Gathering.
One priest coming for the first time said this was becoming a tradition and he wanted to be a part of the beginning. The Clergy Gathering offers clergy the opportunity to come to this beautiful holy site with their families for a few days.
The Clergy Gathering is conducted at a relaxed pace with dignity, decorum and prayer. Midnight Office, Matins and First Hour as well as Vespers are scheduled each day.
This year’s gathering began early on the afternoon of December 30, 2009 and continued until January 2, 2010. Many of the clergy and their families departed on January 1, 2010.
His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN came on the evening of December 31 for Vespers, the evening meal and to be with the attendees. His Grace spoke with the clergy about subjects of mutual interest.
Clergy and their families gathered this year and last year to strengthen their bonds through talking with each other about matters of particular interest and through recreational activities that build friendship and support for each other.
This year the following were in attendance, Father Djokan and Protinica Mirjana Majstorovic and their two children; Father Dragomir and Protinca Kristina Tuba and their five children; Father Rajko and Protinica Vera Kosic and their two children; Father Zivojin and Protinica Georgia Jakovljevic and their two children; Father Milovan and Popadija Tatiana Katanic and their five children; Father Miladin and Popadija Branca Blagojevich and their two children; Father Deacon Dragoslav and Djakonica Rosandra Kosic and their two children; and Dr. Darren and Holly Torbic and their five children.
Father Aleksandar and Protinica Vera Vlajkovich and their six children very much enjoyed the first Clergy Gathering. They were unable to attend this year but Father Aleksandar joined this gathering for a period of time through the internet.
The God-provided beautiful facilities at Shadeland engender the strengthening of professional and personal relationships. The God-provided beautiful facilities at Shadeland encourage thanksgiving to God for the many blessings received.
God-willing the Clergy Gathering will continue in future years with an increased amount of clergy families in attendance. “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”(Ps.133:1)
Father Rodney Torbic
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[Archived News] Tuesday, January 5, 2010
FOURTH ANNUAL NATIVITY YOUTH RETREAT - SHADELAND
Shadeland, PA - With the Archpastoral Blessings of His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, The Fourth Annual Eastern American Diocese Nativity Youth Retreat was held at St. Sava Camp-Shadeland on December 27-30, 2009.
The theme was “Let Everything that Breathes Praise the Lord!” Clergy talks, the preparation of icons, and singing reflected the theme.
Seventy-four campers between the ages of seven and seventeen attended. Additional younger children, clergy, counselors and volunteers brought the number in attendance to more than a hundred.
Interest and enthusiasm in the Nativity Youth Retreat has grown each year. The retreat schedule is full of activities of interest to the participants. The adults involved have the genuine interest of the youths at heart.
The youths arrived late Sunday afternoon. Brian Hayden conducted registration. The counselors fielded inquiries regarding dormitory location. Kolo Federation President Millie Radovick had her helpers preparing the evening meal.
The youths gathered in the chapel on Sunday evening for Vespers and then sat down for one of eight very-well prepared meals. Father Rade Merick conducted the “Ice-breaker” which involved everyone getting to know each other.
Following a brief review of basic rules, Father Milan Pajic organized the youths and put them to work preparing an icon they would take home that reflected the theme of the camp.
Father Rastko Trbuhovich and Father Rajko Kosic worked with the youths throughout the retreat to teach them music consistent with the theme.
On Sunday evening the youths watched a video portraying the monasteries of Meteora, “The Rocks of God.” Before the evening prayer, time was given for the youths to renew friendships and relax with each other.
The schedule for Monday and Tuesday had a basic structure with talks by clergy each morning following the morning prayers and breakfast. The afternoons were filled with recreation and structured learning activities.
Talks by clergy each morning were very well prepared and generated discussion and questions. On Monday morning Father Rade Merick spoke on the theme of “Liturgical Prayer”. Father Dejan Obradovic spoke on “Personal Prayer.”
On Tuesday morning, Father Rajko Kosic spoke on “”Praising God Through Our Way of Living and Treating Each Other.” Father Aleksa Pavichevich spoke on “Praising God by Caring for the Environment.
On Monday and Tuesday afternoons, the youths had the opportunity to go outside and enjoy the winter wonderland of Shadeland. They had periods of indoors games and learned to praise God through singing.
An enjoyable Bible verse game created by Vesna Meinert and used at each retreat from the very first one continues to be of value and shows youths can find enjoyment in working with Bible verses.
Father Pajic kept the youths busy completing the icons. Counselors overseeing activities included Steven Majstorovic, Nick Korach, Aleksa Ostojich, Zack Krieger, Dragana Masic, Mirjana Ruzicic and Danielle Vucelich.
Vespers were held on Monday and Tuesday evening. His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN came as He does each year to visit and talk with the youths. His Grace enjoys the youths very much and they enjoy being with Him.
On Monday evening the youths watched a showing of the Funeral of +His Holiness Patriarch PAVLE. One Tuesday evening the youths watched the repentance theme monastery-based movie entitled “Ostrov.”
On Tuesday evening following Vespers, the youths went to the chapel for Confession in preparation for the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday. Each morning and evening and all meals began and concluded with prayers.
Father Dragomir Tuba was present throughout the retreat to lead prayers, to serve and to assist with activities. St. Archangel Michael Church from Akron had the largest number of youths in attendance. Youths from eighteen parishes were present. Some youths traveled from Chicago to participate.
Camp Director Father Zivojin Jakovljevic was present on Tuesday evening and Wednesday to help as the retreat moved to conclusion with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Wednesday morning.
The youths sang music learned during the retreat at the Divine Liturgy. The icons they prepared were blessed and later distributed for them to take home. Almost all of the youths received Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy.
Father Rastko Trbuhovich preached about the Serbian martyrs Deacon Avvacum and Abbot Paisius at the Divine Liturgy.
In addition to the individuals already mentioned a large number of adult helpers were needed for the retreat to be a success. These helpers included the following: Protinica Kristina Tuba, Kolo Federation Vice-President Dee Dee Baskot, Elaine Vucelich, Zika and Slavica Markov, Nikola and Vukica Kracidinac, Zeljka Vignjevich, Cvijeta Tuba, Dusanka Kocacevic, and Mike Radovick. Olga Dimitrijevich did her share of work in preparing the pogacas in advance of the retreat.
Having a corps of enthusiastic and dependable Christians is vital to the success of the retreat. The clergy, the Kolo members, the counselors, and the adult volunteers all make a necessary and special contribution.
Scott and Laurie Felix, caretakers of St. Sava Camp also deserve mention as they work in advance and throughout the retreat to ensure the physical facilities are well-prepared and tended.
The atmosphere is healthy for the youths and is safe. St. Sava Camp-Shadeland is a wonderful place for youths to experience Orthodox Christianity.
Father Rodney Torbic
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[Archived News] Tuesday, January 5, 2010
SERBIAN DELEGATION WELCOMED IN CLEVELAND
Cleveland, OH - The Serbian community of Cleveland had the opportunity to welcome a Serbian delegation during the month of December. USAID sponsored 10 visitors on an exchange program from Serbia. Upon receiving over 60 applications 10 visitors were chosen which best represented the Waste Management and Recycling industry of Serbia. This group represented many areas of Serbia including Belgrade, Krusevac, Valjevo and Pirot. Our visitors hold various titles including; Planning and Analysis Manager, Head of Public Utility Affairs, Recycling Center Manager and Head of Economic Development Department.
The delegation had a full three weeks of training and exposure to area facilities. The delegation was welcomed by Mr. George Brown, community liaison for Senator Voinovich’s Cleveland Office. Mr. Brown spoke on the Senator’s work in the U.S. Congress in relation to promoting Public Works Committee (EPW), Clean Air and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee. They also visited the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District, the Cleveland State University computer lab, the Ohio EPA Office of Twinsburg, the company New Wave Plastics LLC, Republic Services and many more. They had a full schedule of a week of class work and presentations followed by two weeks of on hands experience at various waste management facilities.
This delegation was welcomed to the Serbian community by many host families including the Sokolovic, Batkovic, and Damljanovic families. Fr. Zivojin Jakovljevic and his family invited the entire delegation to their Slava, Sv. Nikola, which made our guests feel very welcome. The delegation was fortunate to visit many tourist sites as well including, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, they attended a Cavs game, drove through the Serbian cultural garden, and visited our local Serbian churches. The visitors were presented with gifts from the community including an icon of St. Budimir of Dobrun (Sokolovic) and a SSS Njegos Christmas CD.
The delegation had a gracious send off by the Serbian community of Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Milan Damljanovic planned an event to send off the guests. On December 18th the reception was held at St. Sava Cathedral reception hall which was filled with many local Serbs who came to meet and greet these special guests. Mira Damljanovic was asked to emcee of the evening as she and her husband are committee members of the International Community Council (ICC). This couple were appointed to this position in 2002 and have remained active in the international community of Cleveland, proudly representing the greater Serbian community. They are active in working with several groups to strengthen our connection to Serbia and support many exchange programs through the government and other supporting organizations. The Damljanovic couple is also the official writers for the Mosaic blog of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, representing the mosaic of ethnicity in Cleveland.
Cleveland is a great multi ethnic community representing over 120 countries. There is a vast pool of immigrants in the greater Cleveland area and they work together through the ICC. The host families were thanked for sharing their home and opening their doors to strangers whom have now become part of their extended families.
Prominent community figures were represented at the event at St. Sava hall including Mr. Alex Machaskee. He welcomed the visitors and spoke briefly on their work and educational experience during the past three weeks. Prof. Branimir Simic-Glavaski also spoke about the wonderful education in Serbia and the experiences he has had as a professor at CWRU with many talented Serbian engineers.
Mrs. Damljanovic introduced the 10 visitors and they spoke about themselves and gave a presentation on their work and the land of Serbia. The audience was taken by the gifted group and a question and answer period followed. The dinner prepared was delicious and Mr. Svele Nikolic was thanked for not only his work in the kitchen but, for sponsoring the event!
We are thankful that we live in a multi cultural city and that we have many international visitors especially from Serbia. The Serbian community was thanked by the Cleveland Council on World Affairs for bringing together such a memorable event!
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