With the Archpastoral Blessing of His Grace Bishop Irinej, Very Reverend Stavrophor Rade Merick, Dean of the Pittsburgh Deanery of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church scheduled Lenten Vespers for the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent to be held at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania on Sunday, April 2, 2017.

In addition to St. George Church, the following Deanery parishes  participated: From Pennsylvania-St. George Church-Midland, St. Elijah Church-Aliquippa,   Holy Trinity Cathedral-Pittsburgh. Also to participate were Holy Resurrection Church-Steubenville, Ohio and Holy Trinity Mission-Fairmont, West Virginia.

A large number of faithful from the various mentioned parishes attended. Individuals also came from parishes in Monroeville, McKeesport and Youngwood. Following the Vespers a dinner was served in the church hall.

Reverend Father Branislav Golic was the designated speaker at the dinner, speaking on the theme: “Holy Communion - Union with Christ.” He emphasized the importance of actively participating in the Divine Liturgy and having a spiritual examination as part of Holy Confession.  In his prepared text, Father Golic stated: “The Eucharist is the center of the Church’s life. Everything in the Church leads to the Eucharist, and all things flow from it.” Questions and discussion followed Father Golic’s thorough presentation.

As the evening concluded, St. George Church Executive Board President Stan Brozik thanked the attendees and the St. George Kolo. Sonia Janson, St. George Church Choir and Kolo President expressed particular appreciation for the singers from visiting parishes joining with the St. George Choir during the Vesper service.

Participating clergy included Dean Very Reverend Stavrophor Rade Merick, Very Reverend Stavrophor Rajko Kosic, Reverend Father Dejan Barack, Reverend Father Branislav Golic, and Very Reverend Stavrophor Dr. Rodney Torbic.

The Deanery Vespers, dinner and Lenten presentations serve to enrich the parishes and strengthen the relationships among the faithful. Individuals traveled significant distances to come to St. George Church in Carmichaels. Thank God for all participating in the Vespers, dinner, Lenten presentation and discussion.

Article by Father Rodney Torbic