GROUNDBREAKING SERVICE FOR ST. VASILIJE
OF OSTROG CHURCH IN NORTH CAROLINA
Greensboro, North Carolina - On Saturday February 3, 2007 His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America officiated at the Groundbreaking Service in Greensboro for the first Serbian Orthodox Church in North Carolina.
This liturgical and historical event brought nearly a hundred faithful parishioners together at the Divine Liturgy which was served at the local Greek Orthodox Church. Assisting His Grace were V. Rev. Stephen Zaremba, the dean of the St. Petersburg Deanery, V. Rev. Dionysius Listermann, from the Holy Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. We are extremely grateful to Fr. Dionysius and to his parishioners for receiving us under the roof of their community. Fr. Ljubisa Brnjos joined us with his parishioners from far off Orlando, Florida in order to share this liturgical joy with us. Also, serving were Fr. Christopher Foley of the local OCA parish and local clergy Fr. Dragan Zaric, together with Deacon Dragoslav Kosic, the diocesan secretary and Deacon Gavrilo Miljkovic, who is also one of the original founding members of this parish.
Following the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, all officiating clergy together with the faithful, went to the new property where His Grace officiated at the groundbreaking service for the new church, laying the cornerstone and the charter, which was read by Fr. Dragan beforehand. Following this a meal was served in the Greek hall, prepared by our Sisters, who once again showed their great love for their church.
Glory to the Living and True God who gathered us together. Glory to St. Vasilije the Wonderworker of Ostrog and Hercegovina for his prayers before the throne of God. We thank His Grace Bishop Mitrophan for all of his love and care which he has shown for this young mission. We thank the temporary trusteeship and the Kolo Sisters for this efforts in organizing this event and to all of our guests.
May God grant that we complete this temple which we began to construct to the glory of God, in honor of St. Vasilije, that we might offer the eternal Liturgy to Him always and forever. Amen.
Fr. Dragan Zaric