LENTEN VESPERS IN CARMICHAELS
Carmichaels, Pa - The St.George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania hosted the Deanery Lenten Vespers on Sunday, April 13, 2008. His Grace Bishop Dr.MITOPHAN came for the Vespers. Clergy serving included Protopresbyter Stavrofor Dragoljub Malich, Dean Protopresbyter Steven Stepan, Protopresbyter Rade Merick,
Protopresbyter Dr.Rodney Torbic, Protonamesnik Rajko Kosic, Reverend Father Milan Pajic and Father Deacon Dragoslav Kosic. The responses were sung by Tsar Lazar Male Choir under the direction of Mark Doncic. Proto Malich gave a very strong sermon on the sickness of the current culture which is too tolerating and too accepting of a downward spiral in moral standard and activities. Proto Malich called on Orthodox Christians to be strong in maintaining the Orthodox Christian life which is distinctively different from the immorality which is currently becoming pervasive. The St. George Church was completely full.
Following the Vespers, all present went to the church hall for a dinner prepared by the St George Kolo. Executive Board President Stan Brozik warmly welcomed all in attendance and expressed appreciation for everyone coming. St.George Choir and Kolo President Sonia Janson thanked the Tsar Lazar Choir for coming and acknowledge the the choir’s presence was a very big help. Father Rodney Torbic thanked His Grace, the visiting clergy and faithful for coming. The St. George Kolo was recognized for the hard work in preparing for the visitors. His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN said this was perhaps the largest amount of people at the St.George Church since the consecration.
All funds collected during the service and at the dinner were being donated by the parish for the benefit of the suffering Serbian People in Kosovo.
Faithful from Pennsylvania parishes in Aliquippa, Midland, Monroeville and Pittsburgh attended as well as faithful from the parish in Steubenville, Ohio. Two buses came, one from Midland and one from Monroeville. Church school students from Monroeville came as a special field trip. Thanks be to God for this blessed evening