[Archived News] Friday October 31, 2008
EASTERN DIOCESE CLERGY HOLD SEMINAR AT SHADELAND CAMPPhoto-gallery
Shadeland, PA - His Grace Bishop Dr.MITROPHAN scheduled the Annual Fall Clergy Seminar at the beautiful new facilities at Shadeland on October 29-30, 2008. Shadeland is the site of the St.Sava Camp and the Most Holy Mother of God Monastery.
The Eastern American Diocese has been holding clergy education seminars on a regular basis since 1993. This seminar began with Vespers on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. Afterwards, following the evening meal, His Grace held a general meeting with the clergy to discuss a range of topics affecting parish life and the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Wednesday evening concluded with Protopresbyter Djokan Majstorovic, Dean of St. Sava Cathedral, giving a slide presentation of the recent group trip he conducted to visit monasteries and churches in Russia.
On Wednesday evening and Thursday, Father Majstorovic addressed the group in his capacity of President of the Clergy Brotherhood of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America.
Father Majstorovic reviewed the work of the Brotherhood and urged all clergy to be active supporters and stewards. The Brotherhood is a direct source of support for clergy, clergy widows and theological students.
On Thursday morning, His Grace officiated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy assisted by Protopresbyter Stavrofor Srboljub Jockovich and Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rade Merick. Several of the clergy in attended sang the responses.
His Grace designated Protopresbyter Stavrofor Dragan Filipovic of St. George Church in Canton, Ohio as the seminar speaker. Prota Filipovic spoke at length about his entry into the priesthood, his seminary
experiences and observations about Orthodoxy from his childhood to the present.
In the subsequent question and answer period, clergy in attendance asked Father Filipovic to elaborate about times of joy and times of difficulty in the priesthood.
His Grace oversaw the lively seminar discussion and provided the opportunity for clergy in attendance to fully express their comments and questions. His Grace used His extensive knowledge of Holy Scripture to give perspective when necessary.
Eastern Federation Kolo President Millie Radovick, Vice-President Dee Dee Baskot and Former President Olga Dimitrijevic graciously prepared the meals for the seminar participants.
Seminar participants by Deanery were as follows: Cleveland Deanery: Dean-Protoprebyter Stavrofor Janko Raljich, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Dragan Filipovic, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rastko Trbuhovich, Protonamesnik Dragomir Tuba, Protonamesnik Zivojin Jakovljevic, Protonamesnik Milovan Katanic, Reverend Father Isaac Kisin and Father Deacon Milan Medakovich.
Pittsburgh Deanery-Dean Protopresbyter Stavrofor Stevan Stepanov, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Dragoljub Malich, Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rade Merick, Protopresbyter Stevo Rocknage, Protopresbyter Lt.Colonel Adam Yonitch, Protopresbyter Dr.Rodney Torbic, Protopresbyter Vladimir Demshuck, Protonamesnik Rajko Kosic, Reverend Father Dejan Obradovic, Reverend Father
Miladin Blagojevich.
Washington Deanery-Dean Protopresbyter Stavrofor Srboljub Jockovich, Protopresbyter Aleksandar Vlajkovich, Protopresbyter Djokan Majstorovich.
Many of the clergy traveled great distances to come to the seminar, particularly those from the Washington Deanery. On Wednesday there were periods of snow. Father Aleksandar Vlajkovich drove all the way from Boston, Massachusetts.
The new facilities at Shadeland offered an ideal atmosphere for the seminar. The seminar was a time for clergy of the Diocese in this very appropriate Church setting to gather around the Diocesan Bishop to learn.
Father Rodney Torbic