CLERGY MEET AT NEW GRACANICA FOR ANNUAL MEETING
Grays Lake, IL - The Serbian Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood opened their annual clergy conference on Tuesday, June 14, 2005. The Serbian Orthodox Monastery of New Gracanica in Grays Lake, Illinois was the host for this annual gathering. Usually a two-day event, an extra day was added onto this year's conference, together with a richer spiritual and theological program.
The first day began with a lecture given by Fr. Patrick Reardon, a priest of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Fr. Patrick's lecture was entitled "Christ in the Psalms", which is also the title of one of many of his books. The lecture was followed closely by the attending clergy after which a discussion followed.
Following the lecture a bus took all the clergy to the neighboring St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville where they were greeted by His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher. Metropolitan welcomed the clergy to the monastery, spoke of the future plans of the monastery and the achievements and plans for the St. Sava School of Theology and then joined the clergy for the Akathist to Holy Bishop Nikolaj of Zicha and Ohrid. Following the service metropolitan spent more time speaking with the clergy before their return to New Gracanica Monastery for dinner.
The second part of Fr. Patrick's lecture, entitled "Christ in the Saints", followed the dinner after which a small compline was served and Fr. Paisus gave a homily which brought the first day to a close.
Following Matins and breakfast the second day began with a lecture given by Professor Predrag Samardzic, professor at St. Sava School of Theology. Professor Samardzic's lengthy and enlightening talk on faith in the Old Testament was once again followed by a discussion in which all clergy took an active part.
The Third and Sixth Hours were served at the Monastery church afterwards. Lunch was then served. During the lunch the clergy were treated to a special guest to the conference, Mrs. Biljana Spasic, author of the now well-known book "Why Serbs Are Disappearing", who spoke about her book during the luncheon.
The Annual Clergy Brotherhood Assembly followed the lunch in the conference room. During the meeting various topics were covered, including as always, appeals and collections for different noble causes. A trip to the Greek Orthodox Monastery and dinner followed the meeting.
The annual conference ended with Matins adn Divine Liturgy on Thursday, June 16 at the Monastery church. This was a historic moment for the Clergy Brotherhood as it was the first time an annual meeting was held at New Gracanica. Upon the offer and recommendation of Fr. Djokan Majstorovic the location for next year's assembly will be St. Sava Cathedral in New York City.