With the Archpastoral Blessings of His Grace Bishop IRINEJ, the Deanery Vesper service was held on the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania.

Very Reverend Presbyter Nedic was the host priest. Protopresbyter Stavrophor Rade Merick is the Dean of the Pittsburgh Deanery. Assigned parishes for this service in addition to the host parish were from the Pennsylvania communities of Aliquippa, Midland and Pittsburgh, The parish from Steubenville, Ohio and the Fairmont, West Virginia Mission parish are also part of this group.

Priests participating in the service in addition to Father Nedic included Protopresbyter Stavrophor Dr. Rodney Torbic, Protopresbyter Stavrophor Rajko Kosic, Protopresbyter Rumen Stoychev and Presbyter Branislav Golic. Aaron Carson was an Altar server. Sonia Janson, President of the Choir and Kolo directed the St. George Choir in singing the inspired responses.

Father Nedic expressed his joy and warmly welcomed all in attendance.  Following the Vesper service, the parish provided a Lenten dinner served by the St. George Kolo in the church hall.

Father Rumen Stoychev from Holy Ascension Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngwood, Pennsylvania was the designated speaker for the evening. His well-prepared lecture focused on the life of St. Mary of Egypt as an example of repentance. Father Stoychev urged all to heed St. Mary’s example to repent and follow Christ.

Donations received at the dinner were to be used for the benefit of St. Sava Camp in Shadeland. DeeDee Baskot, Vice-President of the KSS Federation for the Eastern American Diocese and consistently a leader at Shadeland Camp together with President Millie Radovick came for the evening.

Stan Brozik, President of the St. George Executive Board and all members of the Board were in full attendance. Faithful from parishes in Monroeville and McKeesport also were present.

The Sunday evening Lenten services are an encouragement, inspiration and nourishment for believers.  St. George Church in Carmichaels is always pleased to host the Fifth Sunday when the theme of repentance takes on great significance.

Father Nedic and the St. George parishioners make the effort to ensure all coming are received in the spirit of Christ. Appreciation was expressed to participating clergy, Father Stoychev for the motivating lecture, and to the Kolo members serving. Coming to St. George Church is a significant driving distance for most people. Father Nedic let his gratitude be known to all. Thank God and the St. George parish for this blessed evening.                                           

                                                                            Father Rodney Torbic