PARISH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN CARMICHAELS, PA
Carmichaels, PA - His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN published a book in 2001 entitled The Teachings of Saint Apostle Paul on the Church. During the Fifty-Fourth Anniversary program of the consecration of the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania, six sections of the book were read.
The readings focused on the Relationship of the Church to God the Father, to Christ and the Holy Spirit. The readings included the Characteristics of the Church-Unity, Holiness and Catholicity.
Contemplative readings are an integral part of the dinners at the St. George Church. The readings give perspective to the celebrations and increase opportunities for serious participation and learning.
An additional contemplative reading for the day was the “Scriptural types of the oneness and indivisibility of the Church” by St. Cyprian.
Fifty-four years have passed since the consecration of the St. George Church. Much has changed and much has remained the same. It is important every year to celebrate and develop perspective.
Sunday November 2, 2008 began early with the 5:30 AM Midnight Office, followed by Matins and First Hour. At 9:30 AM, Paulette Radock began reading the Third and Sixth Hours. Divine Liturgy began at 10:00 AM
The church had double the weekly average of people in attendance for the Divine Liturgy. This was clearly a special Sunday. The names of all departed parishioners were read in the Litany for the Departed.
Maria Djonovich who travels one hundred and twenty five miles each way each week to attend the Divine Liturgy joined with long time parishioner Djelosh Milosevich in reading the Epistle in Serbian and English languages.
Sonia Janson directed the St. George Choir as she does each week. Andrea Janson and Dr. Ivko Dimitric chanted the troparia and kontakia.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Anniversary dinner and program was held at Dolfi’s in nearby Masontown. Hold the dinner at this location is a practice established eleven years ago in the time when Father Djokan Majstorovich was the parish priest.
Stan Brozik, Executive Board President served as Master of Ceremonies for the program. Sonia Janson spoke in behalf of the St. George Choir and Kolo and presented gifts to the church from both organizations. Sonia is President of the Choir and Kolo in addition to being Treasurer of
the Executive Board.
Mildred Bezjak, Executive Board Vice-President expressed her joy and greatfulness for this celebration. Parish Nurse Practitioner and Executive Board Secretary Mitzie Hunchuck read a poem she created summarizing the Anniversary.
Attorney Linda Chambers spoke about the fundamental right of freedom of religion established by the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions. Attorney Chambers cited several case examples having to do with the freedom of religion.
Executive Board Financial Secretary Andrea Janson read the selection from St. Cyprian of Carthage. Reading selections from His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN’s book were: Dr. Rade Dimitric, Dr. Ivko Dimitric, Aaron Carson, Djelosh Milosevich, Linda Porter and Nathan Klingensmith.
Father Dimitre Dimitrov from the Nativity of Blessed Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Masontown expressed his appreciation for being in attendance. Father Dimitrov shared his thoughts of close identification and friendship with the St. George parish.
In addition to parishioners, many friends of the parish were in attendance. Every person present and supporting the Anniversary is important to the St.George Church.
The Anniversary celebration is a time each year to give glory and thanks to God for the St. George Church, It is a time to remember parishioners departed this life and to appreciate current parishioners and friends of the parish.
The Anniversary celebration is a time to remember the fundamental reasons and purpose for the St. George Church and the many beloved people, living and departed that have been a part of the history.
Always the clergy and hierarchs who have served the parish are remembered. As the St. George Church moves into the Fifty-Fifth year, many, many reasons exist to give thanks to God and be optimistic about the future.
Father Rodney Torbic