The Path

of

Orthodoxy

The Official Publication of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America

Volume 49

June 2014 No. 01

Communique

of the

Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church held in Monastery Studenica, Ras and Belgrade, May 14-24, 2014

Under the presidency of His Holiness Serbian

Patriarch Irinej the regular meeting of the Assembly
of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church began this
year on May 14 at Monastery Studenica where in the
Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos the
Divine Liturgy was served on the occasion of the 900th
anniversary of the birth of St. Simeon the Myrrh-flowing
(Stefan Nemanja), and it continued in Ras (Novi Pazar)
where, in the Sts. Peter and Paul Church, the Invocation
of the Holy Spirit was served on the same day in order for
the sessions of the Sabor to proceed at the Patriarchate in
Belgrade.
Participating in the Sabor were the majority of the
diocesan bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Absent
were only His Beatitude Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid and
Metropolitan of Skoplje and His Eminence Metropolitan

Nikolaj of Dabro Bosna. Also, Bishop Milutin of Valjevo

and Bishop Chrysostom of Zvornik-Tuzla and other
bishops were temporarily absent as they visited those areas
most threatened by the floods.
Before the Sabor began prayers were offered for
the newly reposed Metropolitan Jovan of Zagreb and
Ljubljana of blessed repose. That same afternoon a
Moleban was offered, served at times of heavy rainfall and
the dangers which result from them.
At the beginning of the first day Serbian Patriarch
Irinej, in his introductory remarks, pointed out to the
gathered hierarchs the responsibility the Church has in
witnessing the Gospel and love of God today.
At the very beginning it was decided by the Assembly
that, as aid to the victims of the catastrophic flood, a sum
of ten million dinars be allocated and that a fund with a

special account number be established for assistance. The

Assembly also directed an appeal to the clergy and laity of
our Church, as well as heads of local Churches worldwide,
that they help the victims of the flood. The Assembly
offered its warm gratitude to all those who participated
in saving people and properties from the flood, those
from our country as well as rescuers from our brotherly
Russia and those from neighboring countries and the
world who offered their help to the victims. The Assembly
brotherhood invoked Gods blessing on all of them.
Once again this year the Assembly dedicated due
attention to crucial issues of the Church participation
of our Church in the preparation of the Great and Holy
Council of the Orthodox Church; the difficult state of
the Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija; the

continued on p. 4

Appeal of the Holy Assembly of Bishops

The appeal of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church
to all the priesthood, monks and faithful people, as well as to all the people of good will.
Deeply concerned and grief-stricken, but also filled with unshakable faith in love and grace of God,
we address all priesthood, monks and faithful people of our Holy Church, as well as all the people of
good will, on the occasion of the disastrous floods and terrible suffering of numerous families in Serbia,
Republic of Srpska and the whole region. And we call upon everyone, and above all upon our clergy, to
show both Christian and human solidarity with all the victims and the affected, to actively and committedly
participate in the defense of settlements and vitally important objects from the destructive element, and
to provide shelter, aid in food, clothing and medicines, finances and any other support for their neighbors.
In particular, we urge priests and monks to multiply their prayers, to perform daily prayers of
supplication during the forthcoming days of heavy rains and to be front row with those who testify Christs
love by helping the rescue of the suffering brothers and sisters. As a good example we would like to point
out relentless rescue of the people performed by the state leadership and civil services (army, police,
gendarmerie and others), as well as by all our citizens who participate voluntarily in this God-pleasing and
noble action, often exposing their lives to danger.

In this issue:

Bp. Maxim in Mexico, p. 3 Fr. Todorovic Anniversary, p. 3 Our View, pp. 6-7 Serbian Section, pp. 8-12

Page
Two

The Path of Orthodoxy

The Path of Orthodoxy

The Official Publication of the Serbian Orthodox Church

in North and South America

Editorial Staff

English Section Editors

V. Rev. Rade Merick, Senior Editor

530 North Fourth Street
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email:radmerk@comcast.net
V. Rev. Milovan Katanic
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Phone:724-342-1198
email: frmilovan@stgeorgehermitage.org
V. Rev. Dr. Bratislav Krsic
3025 Denver Street
San Diego, CA 92117
Phone: 619-276-5827
email: FrBratso@aol.com
For address correction:

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email: nedlunich300@comcast.net

Contributing Editor

V. Rev. Thomas Kazich

P.O. Box 371,
Grayslake, IL 60030-0371
Phone: (847) 223-4300
email: tkazich@owc.net

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Editorial

We pray for consolation, strength and guidance

June 2014

St. Marks Monastery

Celebrates Slava
On Saturday, May 10, 2014 the St.
Mark Monastery in Sheffield Lake, Ohio
celebrated their Monastery Slava. His
Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern
America and His Grace Bishop Sava
retired bishop of Slavonia led the faithful
in prayer at the Holy Hierarchical Divine
Liturgy. Concelebrating clergy were V.
Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije Sokolovic, V. Rev.
Archimandrite Leontije (Alavanja), V. Rev.
Stavrophor Djordje Mileusnic, V. Rev.
Zivojin Jakovljevic, V. Rev. Mijoljub Matic,
V. Rev. Milovan Katanic, Hieromonk Fr.
Platon (Jovic) and Rev. Dragan Goronjic.
Also serving was Protodeacon Ljubisa
Mitrovic. In attendance was also V. Rev.
Stavrophor Djuro Majerle. Also, Sister
Anastasija from New Marcha Monastery
attended.
At the Little Entrance His Grace
Bishop Mitrophan elevated Fr. Mioljub
Matic to Protojerej and Deacon Ljubisa
Mitrovic to Protodeacon. Kumovi for this
years celebration were Mr. and Mrs. Jovan

and Angela Majerle. Following the liturgy

the Sisters prepared a Slava banquet for all
guests.

San Diego Parish Celebrates

Church Slava

in the midst of tragedy

The destructive floods in Serbia, Republika Srpska and other surrounding

regions left us stunned: such a great natural force of enormous destructive
magnitude. Images of people climbing to their roof tops waiting to be rescued
or of those less fortune ones who were washed down by the powerful stream in
the streets trying to catch something, anything, to avoid being pulled into this
enormous lake of filthy water covering and breaking into streets, parks, homes,
businesses, hospitals, churches and just about anything in its way.
Rescue efforts are still on the way. The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the
Serbian Orthodox Church has issued an official statement calling our faithful
to respond with humanitarian efforts and to route all donations to the Patriarch
Pavle Fund for the purpose of assistance to those affected by the floods.
Instruction details are published in this issue of The Path of Orthodoxy.
The response is commendable of our parishes throughout North and South
America. The expression of faith in action, solidarity, care and brotherly love are
qualities to emulate and take to heart. These efforts will have to continue well
into the summer and beyond as the rebuilding of devastated lives, homes and
infrastructure will be an ongoing process for the next several years.
A tragedy of this proportion brings to mind many questions. Why?
Why Serbia and the Serbian regions? Havent we suffered enough already?
Unfortunately, no easy answer can be given; no answer will satisfy our search
for justice in this fallen world. I can say that this and similar tragic events in
our modern technologically advanced age teach us that we are still finite and
inadequate human beings. Our dependency needs to rest on God as we journey
in this life towards His Kingdom. We must admit though, as hard as it might be
at this time as we sort out our emotions mixed with anger, doubts, and questions,
ultimately God is in charge of our life; not technology, nor sophisticated means
for predicting and preparing for the weather. The Almighty Creator of the
Universe, the Master of all creation is in charge.
As with everything that happens to us daily, so it is with this tragedy that
we are called to continuously reflect on our life and realign ourselves with the
teachings of our Lord who conquers evil and death. We see this in the life of
Job, who is a great example of a faithful servant who in the midst of tragedy and
suffering, was not cursing God as if evil and suffering come from Him, rather he
was reflecting on his own life and his own sins. Jobs sorrow and suffering turned
around when he saw and experienced God in the midst of his own pain; he
realized that he was not alone, God was with him. I hope that Jobs life can serve
as a comfort and an example of the genuine reality that God is always present in
our own days of tragedy. God has not forsaken us; God is there; He is real; He
is almighty; He is our loving Father; God is with us. We pray these days: O Lord
Almighty, Master of heaven and earth, we beseech Thee to be ever with us. Only
from Thee do we seek help and refuge in our suffering and distress, we look unto
Thee, O Lord of Hosts, have mercy on us all. The Lord is calling us to Himself:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
We pray to God that no more rainfall occurs at this time. We pray for the
protection of those affected by the floods, for those assisting in the rescue efforts,
for those who have lost their lives, for their families, our Church and for all
those who are assisting with financial help to those currently in need in the
affected areas.
No one at this time can measure the impact of this catastrophe on Serbia,
Republica Srpska and the surrounding regions. However, there is one facet of
our life that we can and should measure; that component is our action. They
should be measured up with the Gospel of Christ. As Patriarch Pavle of blessed
memory used to say budimo ljudi let us be the people the people of Christ,
witnesses of the Truth. Solidarity, unity and humanitarian efforts are at the
forefront in Serbia, Serbian regions and here in the Americas.
Let us unite in rebuilding our homeland, our suffering Serbian people and
ourselves having Christ as our foundation. To Him we look for strength, wisdom,
guidance, hope and support for better days ahead in our cooperation with Him
and each other.
Protopresbyter Bratso Krsic

On Sunday, May 4th, 2014, with the

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the parish in
San Diego celebrated the Sunday of the
Myrrh-bearing Women and their Church
Slava Parish Patronal Feast Day of St.
George the Great Martyr. Though the Feast
Day of St. George falls on Tuesday, May
6th, the parish according to established
practice celebrates their Church Slava on
the Sunday closest to the actual Feast Day.
His Grace Bishop Maxim served
the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with
concelebrants: protopresbyter-stavrophor
Velimir
Petakovic,
protopresbyterstavrophor Bozidar Draskovic, both former
parish priests, protopresbyter Bratislav

Bratso Krsic, the parish priest, Deacon Paul

Germain, parish deacon, in the presence
of many parishioners and the faithful from
other Orthodox parishes of the San Diego
area. Protopresbyter-stavrophor Milan
Vukovic, parish priest at the neighboring
parish of St. Petka in San Marcos, joined in
the celebration later during the banquet and
program.
On the third Sunday of Pascha
according to the Orthodox liturgical
calendar we commemorate the Myrrhbearing women who brought ointment and
spices to anoint the body of Christ and to
finish the final acts of customary burial
tradition. Among those women were: Mary
Magdalene, Mary, the Theotokos (the Virgin
Mary), Joanna, Salome, Mary the wife of
Cleopas (or Alphaeus), Susanna, Mary of
Bethany, Martha of Bethany. Besides the
myrrh-bearing women on the third Sunday
of Pascha we also commemorate: Saint
Joseph of Arimathea and Saint Nicodemus.
The Matins service preceded the
Liturgy. Following the Liturgy, a customary
Lytia, (procession around the church) was
made with prayers for St. George community,
living and departed parishioners, the city and
the country, for Gods continued protection
and blessing over them. The blessing of the
Slava kolach took place after the Lytia. The
Kum and Kuma for the Church Slava were:
Mr. Vojkan and Nada Popovic. Later during
the program, Kum Vojkan conveyed his
greetings and expressed his thanks for the
honor of being Kum asking the parishioners
to continue supporting St. George parish
and her renovation project.
His Grace Bishop Maxim in his sermon
explained a deep spiritual meaning of the
third Sunday of Pascha calling the faithful
continued on p. 5

The Path of Orthodoxy

June 2014 P
age Three

Bishop Maxim Makes Third Canonical Visit to Mexico

His Grace Bishop Maxim of

Western America made his third
canonical visit to the Orthodox
faithful in the capital city of
Mexico from May 8-12, 2014.
Accompanying His Grace was V.
Rev. Blasko Paraklis, administrator
of the Serbian mission there. They
arrived on May 7. Per the decision
of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of
the Serbian Orthodox Church, the
Serbian faithful in this country are
placed under the pastoral care and
canonical jurisdiction of the Bishop
of Western America.
During their visit they met with
Serbian immigrants on numerous
occasions, as well as with the
Serbian Ambassador to Mexico
Goran Mesic, who prepared a warm
welcome for his distinguished guests
at the Embassy. Also, Archbishop
Alejo of the Orthodox Church in
America and his clergy visited the
guests from Los Angeles in the
historic Mexico City.
Archimandrite Nektarije Hadzi- Above: His Grace Bishop
Petropossa and the brotherhood of the
Maxim and clergy with
Holy Trinity Monastery in Mexico
faithul gathered after
City came to the aid in the efforts of Liturgy on May 11, 2014
coming to a liturgical gathering and
in Mexico City.
meeting with our Orthodox people
during this Paschal period.
Right: Bishop Maxim
Orthodox Serbs living in Mexico
and Fr. Blasko with
City and surrounding areas were
Orthodox clergy.
informed that the Holy Hierarchical
Divine Liturgy would be served at the Russian monastery.
Bishop Maxim served the liturgy on Sunday, May 11,
joined by Archimandrite Nektarije, V. Rev. Blasko and
Hieromonks Chrysostom and Arsenije (Mexicans who
speak Serbian), in the presence of many Russian, Serbian,
Mexican and other Orthodox parishioners, as well as the
monastery brotherhood and Ambassador Goran Mesic and
members of his cabinet.
Following the liturgy the brotherhood prepared
refreshments for all participants of the eucharistic
celebration. On that occasion the guests from California
presented as gifts various books from Sebastian Press.
During this visit an informative meeting was held with the administrator, is planning another visit to this Serbian
church board of this missionary parish, which will bear the mission in the fall of this year.
name St. Nikolaj of Zicha. Members are: Sanja Savkic,
Though the Serbian population in Mexico City is small
Milena Markovic, Dejan Mihailovic Nikolajevic, Djordje it is striking considering their contribution to the people and
Prokic and Vanja Ilic. V. Rev. Blasko Paraklis, parish country in which they live. Hospitality, traditional values,

liveliness,
openness...are
the
characteristics which contribute to
the sights and bio-diversity making
Mexico one of the most visited
countries in the world. The icon of
the Mother of God of Guadalupe
(Nuestra Seora de Guadalupe) is
one of the most popular and most
visited Roman Catholic holy sites.
The Orthodox in Mexico have
the blessing of many bishops, three
of whom live in Mexico: Athengoras
(Ecumenical Patriarchate), Anthony
(Antiochian), Alejo (OCA), while
Bishop Kyrill (ROCOR) and
Bishop Maxim make annual visits.
The total number of Orthodox
in this country is unknown but it
is believed that there are at least
50,000. Orthodoxy would have a
brighter future when that other side
of the jurisdictional ties would
act and when all would sing with
one mouth and one heart the All
Honorable and Glorious Name of
the Holy Trinity, the Eternal
Sabor the Archetype of
Church Sobornost.
In the words of Bishop
Atanasije, the unity of
the Church, in the graceful
unity of con-celebration and
communion of the Divine
Eucharist, and the canonical
unity
of
administration
where all things should
be done decently and in
order (1 Cor. 14:40), from
Pentecost to this day, from
Jerusalem to America, was
also a gift and an event of the
presence of the Holy Spirit
in the Church of the Apostles
and Fathers, the Martyrs
and faithful followers of
the Lamb of God, of Which
the Church is the God-Man
Body, Community in One
Spirit, the House of the Living God and Pillar and Fortress of
Truth, salvation, Resurrection, eternal Life (Contemporary
ecclesiological reminder on the Diaspora, Sebastian Press,
2013, p. 83).

V. Rev. Stavrophor Marko Todorovic Celebrates His 50th Anniversary as Priest

On Saturday, May 10, on his 75th

birthday, V. Rev. Marko Todorovic
celebrated his 50th anniversary as priest. It
was a three fold celebration: 50 years as
priest at the St. Nikola parish, 50th wedding
anniversary and his 75th birthday.

The Journey
of Fr. Marko B. Todorovich
The Very Reverend Fr. MarkoTodorovich was born May 10, 1939 in the
village of Cvetulja, in beautiful Radjevina,
Serbia to parents Bozidar, a follower of St.
Bishop Nikolaj, and Milica, nee Pantelic.
He finished elementary school in
his native village and junior high school
in the neighboring village of Zavlaka.
In 1955 he was accepted to the St. Sava
Seminary in Belgrade, graduating first in
his class in 1960. From 1960-62 he attended
the Theological College of the Serbian
Orthodox Church in Belgrade. In July 1962
he emigrated to Italy. After he received
political exile in October 1962 he was
admitted to St. Sergius Theological Institute
in Paris, France. Upon completion of one
year of study there, he emigrated to the
United States of America in October 1963
and was accepted by His Grace Bishop
Dionisije under his jurisdiction.
Fr. Marko married Ratka Bosnjak on
February 9, 1964 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
At the end of February Bishop Dionisije
ordained him to the Holy Deaconate. On
March 8, 1964 he was ordained to the Holy
Priesthood by vicar Bishop Iriney, and on
March 15, 1964 he was assigned to a newly
organized church-school congregation,
Saint Nikola, in Cudahy, Wisconsin where

he has been the parish priest for the last 50

years which is rare for a priest to remain in
the same parish for so many years.
As parish priest he was instrumental in
the planning, remodeling and beautification
of the church facility, as well as in expanding
the church properties. He organized and

graduating with honors in 1973 from the

College of Letter and Science. During
this time he and Popadija Ratka had three
children: Milica, Mileva and Lazar.
Because of his hard work and consistent
efforts the church-school congregation
progressed spiritually and financially. As

Clergy with His Grace Bishop Longin gather in celebration of Fr. Todorovich's
50th Anniversary as Priest in Cudahy
directed the church choir, participated in
organizing the Circle of Serbian Sisters
Kraljica Milica, the Sunday School and
folklore group. From 1968-72 he attended
the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee,

in any small parish, his salary was modest

but his donations and contributions were
significant and motivated his parishioners
to donate, both financially and with the
physical work involved in renovation and

rebuilding. He participated in the purchase

of the parish house, the purchase of the
acreage in Caledonia which the first totally
Orthodox cemetery in Wisconsin was
established and the purchase of the Root
River Center in Franklin.
All the utensils, items and most
furnishings in the church itself were donated
by parishioners and members and, to this
day, Fr. Marko remembers each donor and
what they donated. On a Diocesan level he
was a member of the Diocesan Council for
many years, served as Midwest Dean for
ten years and is currently Bishop Longins
deputy.
He participated in the construction on
New Gracanica. He edited the Diocesan
newspaper The Diocesan Observer for
three years and was Diocesan Secretary
for five years serving concurrently as he
continued his parish work in Cudahy.
Fr. Marko was the only priest from the
US who participated in the Reunification
Divine Liturgy on February 15, 1992 in
Belgrade. In May of 2013 he was the only
Serbian priest from the US who participated
in the reburial of members of the Serbian
Royal family Karadjordjevic on Oplenac.
Together with his parishioners he welcomed
His Majesty King Peter II twice and two
patriarchs, Patriarch Pavle in 1992 and
Patriarch Irinej in 2011.
He wrote a few booklets in Serbian and
English and two books of sermons entitled,
In the Footsteps of St. Sava in a Foreign
Land. He also wrote many articles in both
languages in national, church and American
newspapers.
continued on p. 4

The Path of Orthodoxy

P
age Four

June 2014

V. Rev. Stavrophor Marko Todorovic Celebrates His 50th

Anniversary in Service to the Church
continued from p. 3

Fr. Marko is unique in that, after serving

the same parish for so many years, he
remembers everyones names when seeing
them for Holy Communion or greeting them
at the end of liturgy. During the blessing of
homes or cutting the Slava kolaches, he
rarely uses lists of family members to be
blessed, but knows their names by heart!
In his 50 years of service to his church,
Fr. Marko baptized 495 babies, married 212
couples and officiated at the funerals of 426
parishioners.
He has earned and enviable reputation
in the entire Serbian Church and throughout
the Serbian communities, and his work is
known nationally and internationally. For
his hard work Metropolitan Iriney awarded
Fr. Marko with the highest rank given to a
married priest, Protojerej-stavrofor, the
right to the title Cross-bearer.
His wife, Protinica Ratka was at his
side helping him in all facets of church
life, active in the Circle of Serbian Sisters,
Church Choir, Sunday School and folklore
groups. She is always willing to help
parishioners with their family events and
celebrations.
The Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy,
banquet and program
His Grace Bishop Longin officiated
at the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
Concelebrating with the bishop were: Fr.
Thomas Kazich, Fr. Stevan Stepano, Fr.
Nedeljko Lunich, Fr. Bogdan Zjalic, Fr.
Luka Lukic, Fr. Nikola Radovancevic, Fr.
Marko Todorovic and Deacon Aleksandar
Petrovic. Attending were also Fr. Milorad
Loncar and Fr. Aleksandar Savic.

continued from p. 1

The church choir sang the responses.

Following the liturgy Bishop addressed the
gathered faithful, congratulating Fr. Marko
on his 50th anniversary of priestly service
and wedding anniversary.
During the program at the banquet in
the church hall speeches were given by
church board president Milan Nikolic who
was emotional in speaking of his long time
parish priest and protinica saying that he
didnt have the words to thank him on his
own behalf and in behalf of the parishioners.
Afterward Fr. Marko introduced the guests
at the head table as well as the many
parishioners and guests present. He thanked
his parents, his family and all of those
who have helped him on his path in life.
He especially thanked his ruling hierarch
Bishop Longin for his care, love and zeal in
administrating the Diocese.
His classmate and friend V. Rev.
Starophor Stevan Stepanov who came
with his Protinica Ana from Aliquippa,
Pennsylvania greeted his brother and cocelebrant Fr. Marko. Fr. Stevan spoke of his
friend from their school days who was, as
he said, an excellent student, an excellent
singer, a seminarian to emulate, a good
writer, speaker, tall and good looking,
respected by professors, popular and loved
by his friends.
Thats what he was like and remained
to this day. He never thought one thing and
said another and did yet another. Fr. Marko
stands tall and dignified as should a Serbian
priest: without compromise he praised the
Lord and served his people.
I am certain that you, his parishioners,
Fr. Stevan added, value the decision and

Communique

advancement of religious education; relations between the Church and state bodies
in Serbia, Republic of Srpska and the region; the actions of Orthodox clergy
in the Serbian Army and Armed Forces of Bosnia and Hercegovina; relations
between the autocephalous Orthodox Churches and between the heterodox
Christian churches and confessions and other world religions; the threats facing
marriages and families due to the white plague, and more so due to the aggressive
propaganda of immorality, abortions, the unnatural fornication and the hedonisticconsumer spirit in general; the threats facing the Cyrillic alphabet in Serbia and
the Republic of Srpska due to our unforgivable negligence and irresponsibility,
and in Croatia and Montenegro as a result of the brutal persecution of the Serbian
alphabet; work on the St. Sava Church on Vracar; work of the humanitarian
organization Covekoljublje, as well as the central church cultural and
educational institutions, first of all the Library, Museum and Archives and so forth.
The Assembly addressed the media with a special communique regarding the
difficult state of our Church in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia where
the government, based on a judicial farce, continues to keep Archbishop Jovan of
Ohrid imprisoned under inhumane conditions, at the same time they pressure the
other bishops, priests, monastics and faithful of the autonomous Archbishopric
of Ohrid, threatening them with the same judicial treatment. The Assembly once
again appeals to all those responsible that they do everything in their power to
free Archbishop Jovan, modern Europes political prisoner number one, and the
termination of the last religious persecution in Europe, the persecution of the
Archbishopric of Ohrid. The Assembly is grateful to the sister Orthodox Churches,
the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches, the
organizations for the protection of human rights and many other distinguished
individuals for their taking on of this painful issue.
The Assembly approved the reports of the celebration of the 1700th
anniversary of the Edict of Milan held in October of last year in Belgrade, Nis and
Podgorica, the report of the Holy Synod of their work during the course of last
year and reports from each diocesan bishop.
The Assembly accepted the penance of Zivorad Pavlovic, the former priest
who had joined the sect of Miras Dedeic which calls itself the Montenegrin
Church, and received him back into the church community as a layperson.
The Assembly filled the vacant dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church
electing the current vicar Bishop Jovan of Lipljan as Bishop of Slavonia; the
current vicar Bishop Andrej of Remezijan as Bishop of Austria-Switzerland;
Archimandrite Sergije (Karanovic) of Monastery Rmanj as Bishop of Central
Europe; the curent vicar Bishop Porfirije of Jegar as Metropolitan of ZagrebLjubljana; the current Bishop of Timok as bishop of Zicha; Archimandrite
Hilarion (Golubovic) of Monastery Bukova as Bishop of Timok; Archimandrite
Arsenije (Glavcic) of Monastery Studenica as Bishop of Toplica, vicar Bishop to
the Serbian Patriarch and Archimandrite Jeronim (Mocevic) of Monastery Kovilj
as Bishop of Jegar, vicar Bishop to the Bishop of Backa.
Members of the Holy Synod in its new composition are: Metropolitan
Amphilohije of Montenegro and the Coastlands and Bishops Lavrentije of Sabac,
Chrysostom of Zvornik-Tuzla and Teodosije of Ras-Prizren.
Bishop of Backa IRINEJ
Spokesman of the Holy Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church

sacrifice of your priest to remain here

with you for 50 years. He has baptized
and married many of you and buried your
parents, he was a part of your life and
you of his. And here is where that priestparish relationship comes to an end you
have become a family. His success is your
success. His pain, your pain. His joy, your
joy. His pride, your pride.
Classmate Fr. Nedeljko Lunich also
greeted his schoolmate and brother priest
and reminisced about their school days,
their journey to America and their friendship
during the long and unfortunate period of
the Church schism in America.
Finally His Grace Bishop Longin
addressed Fr. Marko and in attendance
with the following words: I join all of you
together today in greeting Fr. Marko on this
important day in his life, a milestone that
many priests never accomplish - 50 years of
the priesthood and 50 years as your pastor. He
has served God and his church faithfully. Fr.
Marko was a good spiritual shepherd to you.
Whatever he accomplished here at St.
Nikolas in Cudahy, he did it together
with all of you, his parishioners. Through
your support and his guidance you - priest
and people - achieved miracles, from the
establishment of this church community, to
its development, to overcoming the tragic
fire and rebuilding, and to the unity you all
have shown repeatedly with your brothers
at St. Savas Cathedral, which came about
through the holy reconciliation in our
church. Dont forget that, continue to help
it grow.
As they say, behind every successful
man is his wife, and Protinica Ratka, has
shown that to be more than true. She was
not just a Popadija, but a Popadija and a
half! Through her hard work, Fr. Marko was
able to do so much more. We congratulate
her too, and their lovely children.
We are grateful to him also for his years
of service to the Diocese, as diocesan
advisor, as dean. We all know that a priest
in the Orthodox tradition never stops being
a priest even when he retires. He always
stands by and responds to every call his
Church makes.
I love a well-known story from Mt.
Athos which tells of one monk who was
tired of fighting sin and the devil. He almost

Fr. Marko and Protinica Ratka Todorovic

decided to leave and change his style of
life. But one night he had a vision of the
Crucified Christ, who said to him, From
the cross one does not get down, one only
can be taken down by others.
Those words the Lord repeated three
times and then the vision disappeared. We
believe and pray that Fr. Marko will stay on
his cross and continue to serve God and our
beloved Serbian people, wherever that may
be and in what capacity.
Fr. Marko has left to all of you great gifts
and hope for further growth. The Church
here must and will continue to grow as a
parish, as long as you continue to support
and work for it. Love, hope and the capacity
to do for the church will certainly be part
of the legacy that Fr. Marko leaves you.
Dear Father, on behalf of our Diocese, and
all the clergy present here, I thank you for
all your good work and great sacrifices. We
wish you and your family, good health and
many years from God. Mnogaja Ljeta!
Fr. Marko, once again expressed his
gratitude to Bishop Longin and wished
him many more years of administering the
Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern
America.
The day was made more festive
with music and dancing and since it was
Mothers Day Fr. Marko sang Tebi majko
misli lete.... in honor of all mothers.
With prayers and a blessing from His
Grace Bishop Longin this beautiful day in
the life of Fr. Marko and his family and the
parish of St. Nikola in Cudahy came to an
end.

Appeal For Information

WE have an obligation to our
ancestors and descendants to
preserve from ETERNAL oblivion
the most important period OF
SERBIAN history on the North
American continent, and for that we
need your generous help.
With the blessing of his Grace Bishop
Longin of New Gracanica - Midwestern
America (. No 267/13, May 21, 2013) Dr
Ruzica Maric, with assistance of a team
made of professors from the Faculty of
Orthodox Theology of Belgrade University
as well as other US universities, continues
her years long research of the Serbian
Orthodox Church history in the United
States of America and Canada, with a
special emphasis on the very first Serbian
Bishop of America and Canada, Bishop
Mardary Uskokovich of Blessed Memory
(+1935) and Saint Nikolai of Zhicha and
Ochrid (Velimirovich, +1956).
In his fifth Christmas Encyclical in
1927, Bishop Mardary wrote the following:
Our churches may become completely
deserted after your death. When you pass
on from this world, there wont be anyone
who will open the doors of your churches
and there wont be anyone who will light
a candle and a vigil lamp before the icon
of Saint Sava. This is why I beseech you
as your Bishop: gather your children to
learn about our faith, writing, and reading.
Do not allow our God, our Saint Savas

Church, faith, and education to die in the

souls of your young Serbian descendants.
We humbly ask all individuals, church
school communities, circles of Serbian
sisters, and national organizations who
have data, photographs, books, memorials,
old church calendars and yearbooks,
videos, souvenirs, or any similar materials
regarding Bishop Mardary Uskokovich
of Blessed Memory, Saint Nikolai
Velimirovich, and history of the Serbian
Orthodox Church and people especially
until 1960, to help us in this important
effort. The plan is to publish a book
(a monograph) by the Fall of 2015 to
commemorate 80 years since the repose of
Bishop Mardary.
We ask all of you who can assist us in
any way to contact us in writing to arrange
collaboration at the Protection of the Most
Holy Mother of God Monastery (New
Gracanica Monastery), ATTN: Dr Ruzica
Maric, Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New
Gracanica - Midwestern America, P.O.
Box 371, Grayslake IL, 60030, by phone at
(847) 548-7873 or via email at
churchhistorystsava@gmail.com
religiouseducationsaintsava@gmail.com
or ruzicamaric2000@yahoo.com.
Thank you for helping us record and
thus preserve the celebrated moments of
our Church and national history. Upon
completion of this research effort, all
collected materials will become a part of
the diocese archives.

The Path of Orthodoxy

June 2014

Page Five

Visit us online at

w w w. s e r b o r t h . org

The Troparion
to Saint Lazar, the Great
Martyr and Tsar of Serbia

Read the newest issue of the Path News and Upcoming Events
Standing Committees updates!

San Diego Parish

continued from p. 2

to continue offering their oil of good works,

faith and sacrificial love just as the holy
myrrh-bearing women did. He then added
that to minister to the Lord is the most
rewarding and uplifting service that we can
do as the members of His Church.
The program in the social hall during
the banquet was inspirational facilitating
encouragement to the faithful to continue
building up parish ministries and the
community of St. George the Great Martyr.
Miss Oksana Germain and her beloved
sister Kaija Germain, Deacon Pauls and
Natalijas daughters, performed a selection
of songs and piano opuses. Mr. Rankin

June 28/15

ince thou didst yearn for

the beauty of Gods glory,
thou didst please Him on earth; and
thou didst cultivate and multiply the
talent that was entrusted to thee,
having struggled in this effort even
to the point of shedding thine own
blood; as a result, for thine agonies
thou didst also receive a reward
from Christ our God; pray to Him,
O Lazar, so that we who sing to
thee may be saved.

Fisher entertained guests with his selection

of Serbian and Russian songs.
Mr. Nemanja Selazan, the president
of the Church Board, thanked the capable
kitchen crew led by his mom, Mrs. Jelica
Selezan, for preparing the delicious Slava
food. At the conclusion of the program, the
parish priest Fr. Bratso called his parishioners
to more actively participate in the Liturgical
life of the Church and the educational and
philanthropic ministries established in the
parish and diocese. The program was closed
with singing of Svjetisja, Svjetisja Novi
Jerusalime (Shine, Shine) and the
blessing of His Grace Bishop Maxim with
farewell greetings.

In Memoriam
Protinica Paulina
Mijatovich
Paulina Mijatovich, age 90, died
peacefully on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at
her home. She was born on the Serbian
Orthodox Christmas Day, January 7, 1924
in Monessen, PA, the fifth child of Pavle
and Zora Pavlovich. The family moved
to Akron, Ohio across the street from her
maternal grandparents, Djuka and Persa
Rackov. To alleviate the workload of the
young mother, Baba Persa baby-sat Paulina
and she began to spend more and more time
with the grandparents until she became
a permanent fixture. When the parents
decided to return to Pennsylvania, they ran
into difficulty with the grandparents who
didnt want to part with their granddaughter.
Excuses were made each time the parents
came to pick Paulina up, until Deda Djuka
raised his voice and said, If you take her
now, dont ever cross my threshold again!
They continued to live together even after
the grandfather passed away in 1931.
Paulina became the spokesperson for her
grandmother who spoke very little English
and she ran her errands, even delivering the
nafora (puskurice) Baba made to the church
on Sundays. It was in 1937 that Paulina and
Persa joined the family in Ecorse, MI and
she then became one of the seven Pavlovich
girls.
One day in 1943, the late Bishop
Firmilian came to the family home with
Miodrag, his young friend, a seminarian
and journalist from Belgrade, to introduce
him to a family governed by a strict
disciplinarian father, just like in the
middle of Serbia. It was there they met
and a short time later, Miodrag and Paulina
were married on May 16, 1943 in Ravanica
(Detroit). Miodrag was ordained and
became the permanent priest of this parish
that he served faithfully for thirty-three
years until his death at the age of 60 on July
11, 1976.
Paulina worked at AAA until the birth
of Kosa in 1946. Bata was born 16 months
later in 1947. The demands of the growing
parish made it impossible for her to work
out of the home and help subsidize her
husbands earnings, a situation common
with all the clergy at that time. There
was no office help, no cell phones, only
the telephone at home. The parish home
resembled a social service bureau with a
revolving door. There was little time for a
private life or family pleasures.
The demand of the parish increased
the building of the church hall, the new
Ravanica Church, the unfortunate split
in 1963 and the still ongoing settlement
of over 300 Displaced Persons and even
more refugees who Father Mica personally

Protinica Romana
Prodanovich

endorsed. All this strain had an impact on his

health and life. He suffered his third heart
attack while vacationing and passed away
peacefully in his sleep on July 11, 1976. The
Executive Board then voted to gift Paulina,
for one dollar, the temporary parish home
purchased in 1956 for the sum of $18, 000.
Daughter Kosa passed away in 1984 that
added to Paulinas grief and sorrow. Kosas
two young children, Michael and Paula,
were her pride and joy and helped ease her
pain. She offered help to her son-in-law
Ron, until the children became teenagers.
She never stopped being there for them.
Ravanica Church was her beloved home
for her family. It was the beginning and the
end of her life. She gave thanks to God for
introducing her to that first generation, her
parents and grandparents the old timers,
whose memories she cherished to the very
end. She saw her dear friends of her own
generation come and go, and their children
were her kids. She was the secretary of
Serbian Sisters of Ravanica for 50 years and
one of the original Mothers Club members.
Paulina is the mother of Paul (Christine)
and the late Kosara Balow (Ronald).
Grandmother of Michael Balow (Debbie),
Paula Papke (Nate), and Lindsay and
Jonathan Mijatovich. Great-grandmother
of Tyler, Sophia, Elena, Maria, Blake and
Benjamin. Also grandmother to Christines
children, Kelly Davis (Greg) and Wendy
Parnell (Jeff) and great-grandchildren,
Christian, Allyson and Bella. Sister of
Sophia Pavlovich and Milan Pavlovich
(Bojana) and the late Miodrag Pavlovich,
Natalia Danilovich (Sam), Naida Cronovich
(Charles), Kathryn Lazovic (Alexander),
Alexander Pavlovich (Mary), Eli Pavlovich
(Barbara), Desanka Schallhorn (Basil) and
Mildred Vukovich (Pete). 17 nieces and
nephews and 28 great-nieces and nephews
also survive.
Memory Eternal.

Protinica Romana Prodanovich (nee

Vravnik), 91, died peacefully at home on
Sunday, March 9, 2014 after an extended
illness.
Born on February 8, 1923 in Dravograd, Slovenia, Protinica Romana was one
of ten children born to Toma and Lucia
(Glaser) Vravnik.
After completing high school in Dravograd, Protinica Romana worked in a bakery
in Maribor, Slovenia until April 1941 when
Germany invaded and occupied Yugoslavia.
She was sent by local authorities to cook at a
POW camp established in Maribor. In February 1942, authorities sent her as a forced
laborer to Berlin where she manufactured
radio components. In November 1944, during the intense bombing of Berlin by Allied
Forces, she escaped and returned to Dravograd. Upon her return she was briefly imprisoned and then released as the Germans
fled Slovenia.
Following the War, Protinica escaped
from what was now Communist Yugoslavia
into neighboring Austria. During her time
in Austria she first worked for an Austrian
aristocrat. Later, in 1947 while working at a
military commissary in Austria, she was encouraged by a British officer to immigrate
to England as part of a program to resettle
displaced persons from Eastern Europe.
Alone, not speaking the language and with
only a small suitcase, Protinica moved to
England in July 1947 determined to start a
new life.
It was in Silesden, England among
the refugee community, she met her future
husband Slobodan Prodanovich, a Serbian
Orthodox seminary graduate from Bosnia
Herzegovina. They were married in Halifax, England on July 13, 1949. Like many
in the refugee community, both she and her
husband Slobodan found work in the textile mills in Bradford, England. In addition
to working in the textile mills, the couple
maintained a boarding house and raised
their three children, Nicholas, Tomislav and
Vesna.
In December 1967, the family immigrated to the United States as the newly
ordained Fr. Prodanovich accepted a parish
assignment to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania.
Two years later in October 1970, Fr. Slobodan was assigned to St. George ChurchSchool congregation in Midland, PA where
he served until his retirement in July 1988.
Proto and Protinica continued to reside in
Midland after retirement.
For 21 years until Proto. Slobodan retired in July 1988, Protinica Romana actively supported her husbands ministry.

She was a tireless worker for the parishes

they served and was a gracious hostess to
the many parishioners, clergy, and visitors
to their home. Protinica was active in many
church organizations including St. George
Choir in Carmichaels, Dr. Laza Kostich
Choir in Midland; Kolo Srpskih Sestara in
both parishes; St. George Mothers Club,
Midland; and volunteered at the Diocesan
Summer Childrens Camps in Doylestown,
Ohio and Shadeland, PA.
In January 2009, Protinica Romana
moved from Midland to reside with her
daughter Vesna and son-in-law Greg in
Bridgeport, WV.
Protinica Romana Prodanovich is survived by her children: Nicholas and Tina
Prodanovich, Potomac Falls, VA, Tomislav
and Susan Prodanovich, Germantown, TN;
Vesna (Prodanovich) and Gregory Meinert,
Bridgeport, WV; and grandchildren Cara
Prodanovich, St. Andrews, Scotland, Tess
Meinert, Morgantown, WV, Matthew Prodanovich Potomac Falls, VA, and Natalie
Prodanovich, Germantown, TN.
She is also survived by her 4 sisters
Amalia Errat of Villach, Austria, Neza
Penec of Prevalje, Marica Miklavc of Ravne
na Koroskem, and Tina Stih of Dravograd,
all in Slovenia, and numerous nieces and
nephews.
Protinica Romana was preceded in
death by her husband Proto-Stravrophor
Slobodan Prodanovich (2000), her parents
and 5 siblings.
Funeral services were held at St.
George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels with Fr. Rodney Torbic officiating
and assisted by clergy from the Diocese.
Interment took place at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Castle Shannon, PA.
Memory Eternal.


The Path of Orthodoxy
P
age Six

June 2014

Our
V
iew
O
ur
V
iew
O
ur
view
Our View
The Youth Pages

The Orthodox Christian View on Evolution

Evolution: A heresy?
Recently the issue of Evolution has
become a topic of public discussion. Many
people are heard arguing against the
theory of evolution, and specifically the
teaching of it in the public schools. In some
states in our country, there has been an
effort to remove any kind of teaching about
evolution from public school textbooks,
or at least permit or require the teaching
of other views. Some very sincere and
dedicated Orthodox people have joined
those forces in the name of Orthodox
Christianity. For them, the teaching that
living forms have evolved over the years in
their development is a denial of Christian
truth and therefore is a heresy. Is evolution
a heresy?
Fact
Evolution, first of all, must be recognized as being two things: a fact and
a theory. The fact consists of the readily
identifiable truth that various groups of
living beings have actually gone through
changes with the passage of time so that
descendants of original forms differ from
their ancestors.To deny that fact would be
to fly into the face of all of the evidence
gathered painstakingly from all over the
world by anthropologists and paleontologists. For example, anthropologists have
traced the development of the horse from
an early dog-sized creature, to the contemporary large-sized animal. They have also
discovered the remains of various forms
of mankind and dated them by scientific
methods. There is no denying the fact of
some kind of development, some kind of
evolution.
Theory
However, evolution is more than just
these gathered facts. It is also a theory.
Rather, to be more accurate, there are
many theories of evolution. Theories serve
as attempts to explain the facts in a coherent and rational way. It is in the area of
theory that the popular idea of evolution
as having an ape for an ancestor developed.
Few people realize that many efforts
have been made to interpret the fact of
evolution. Numerous theories are purely

materialistic. They hold that mans development was an accident and occurred by
happenstance, according to materialistic
laws which function independently of any
cause or purpose. Other theorists find
this highly improbable. They hold that the
evolution of man could not just happen.
They calculate that the mathematical probabilities of such a sustained accident taking
place are infinitesimal. According to these
theorists, it takes much more to believe that
the human race is an accident than it does
to accept the hypothesis that there is a goal
and a purpose toward which the evolution
moves. Two such theorists are Le Compte
du Nouy and Tielhard de Chardin.
The Difference
In his book on evolution, the wellknown Orthodox theologian, Panagiotis
Trempelas, points both to the fact of
evolution, as well as to the various theories
of evolution. The first cannot be denied.
However, there is a world of difference
among the various theories. Some of
those theories are definitely heretical. Not
because they hold that evoluion has taken
place, but because they deny any place in
their interpretation of the facts of evolution
for the spiritual dimension of the reality of
existence.
Other theories are closer to Christian
truth. In posting a telos or goal, in rejecting a purely mechanical interpretation of
evolution, these theories are more congenial to the spiritual verities of the Christian
Faith. Thus, Trempelas concludes: . . . it
appears more glorious and divine-like and
more in harmony with the regular method
of God, which we daily see expressed in
nature, to have created the various forms
by evolutionary methods, Himself remaining the first and supreme cause of the
secondary and immediate causes to which
are owed the development of the variety of
species.
Recognizing the difference between
facts and theories which explain the facts,
it is necessary also to note that as long as
Christians recognize the creative power of
God in the process of evolution, it is both
bold and hasty to call evolution a heresy.

From a contemporary Church father:

Thoughts from Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica

1. Spiritual life is noetic life, which is higher than

all the desires and feelings of this world.
2. The main thing in spiritual life is to keep your
heart at peace.
3. The Lord looks into the depth of the heart, its
desires and aspirations.
4. We must remove earthly plans and desires
from the heart, only then together with the
Lord can we sincerely love our neighbor.
5. Communion with God is the normal spiritual
state.
6. The first step to communion with God is to
give ourselves up to God completely.
7. With Gods help we can do everything, everything, when we turn to the Lord with our hearts.
8. A soul which has given itself up to Gods will does not fear anything and is
not troubled by anything. About everything that happens, it says: it is Gods
will.
9. Peace and joy are the greatest riches in this world and in the world to come.
10. Love is the strongest weapon that exists; there is no power or weapon which
can fight love: it overcomes them all.

The Path

of

Orthodoxy, June 2014

2014
2 014 YOUTH RETREAT

Taken from Contemporary Moral Issues Facing the Orthodox Christian

by Stanley S. Harakas

of

Suffering in the Orthodox Faith:

The

GREATER the

E
L
G
G
STRU

the

MORE GLORIOUS the

TRIUMPH!
Wednesday, June 25th - Sunday, June 29th
Hosted
Hosted by
by St.
St. Sava
Sava Serbian
Serbian Orthodox
Orthodox Parish
Parish and
and
Junior
Junior Sotaya
Sotaya Chapter
Chapter of
of Phoenix,
Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona
Filled with dynamic speakers, great fellowship, a service project and fun activities for teens 14-18.
www.serborth.org

On June 27th (June14th on Julian calendar)

we commemorate:

The Holy Prophet Elisha

lisha lived nine hundred years

before Christ. When the Lord willed
to take the aged Prophet Elijah to Himself,
He revealed to him that He had designated
Elisha, the son of Shaphat of the tribe of
Reuben from the town of Abel-Meholah,
as his successor in the prophetic service.
Elijah informed Elisha of Gods will and
draped him with his mantle and implored
from God the two-fold grace of prophecy
for him. Elisha immediately departed his
home and family and followed Elijah. When
the Lord took Elijah in a fiery chariot, Elisha
remained to continue the prophetic service
with yet a greater power than Elijah.
y his purity and zeal, Elisha was
equal to the greatest prophets and,
by the miraculous power that was given to
him by God, Elisha exceeded them all. He
parted the waters of the Jordan as Moses
once parted the Red Sea; the bitter waters
in Jericho he made drinkable; he brought
forth water into the excavated trenches during the war with the Moabites; he multiplied
the oil in the pots of the poor widow; he
resurrected the dead son of the Shunammite woman; he fed a hundred people
with twenty small loaves of bread; he

healed Commander Naaman of leprosy; he

invoked leprosy upon his servant Gehazi
because of his greed; he blinded the entire
Syrianarmy and also forced another army
to flee; he foretold many events to the
people as well as to individuals. Elisha died
at a very old age.
(Taken from the Prologue of Ohrid by
St. Nikolai Velimirovic)

Scriptural quotation:

The Lords hand will not remove good things from

those who walk in innocence. O Lord of hosts, blessed is
the man who hopes in You.
Psalm 83:12-13

The Path of Orthodoxy

June 2014 P
age Seven

A
Q
&

Questions and answers about the Feast

of Holy Pentecost.

Q. When do we celebrate the

Feast of Holy Pentecost?
A. The Feast of Holy Pentecost (Descent of the
Holy Spirit upon the Apostles) is celebrated each year on
the fiftieth day after the Feast of Feasts or Pascha (Easter)
and ten days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ.
Pentecost is always celebrated on Sunday.
Q. How is the Holy Spirit given? Can He be lost?
How?
A. Chrismation confers the gift of the Holy Spirit upon
the newly baptized Christian.
It is the clear teaching of the Church that the Holy
Spirit can be lost because of unrepentant sin. Why else
would the Prophet David, in his repentant psalm (50)
which he prayed after he realized the full weight of his guilt
for the murder or Urias, the husband of Bathsheba, whom
he had committed adultery with say: Cast me not away
from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me
?
The Spirit does not take up His abode in someones
life through a physical approach; how could a corporeal
being approach the Bodiless one? Instead, the Spirit
comes to us when we withdraw ourselves from evil passions, which have crept into the soul through its friendship with the flesh, alienating us from a close relationship
with God. Only when a man has been cleansed from
the shame of his evil, and has returned to his natural
beauty, and the original form of the Royal Image has been
restored in him, is it possible for him to approach the
Paraclete. Then, like the sun, He will show you in Himself
the image of the invisible, and with purified eyes you will
see in this blessed image the unspeakable beauty of its
prototype. St. Basil the Great, On the Holy Spirit.
Q. What are two symbols for the Holy Spirit? Explain
why symbols are used to depict Him, and the reason for
these particular symbols. How did the Holy Spirit manifest
Himself on the day of Pentecost? Describe three ways.
A. At the Theophany of our Lord (His baptism) the
Holy Spirit appeared as a dove. This symbol has been
used in Orthodox iconography from the earliest times. At
Pentecost, He appeared as tongues of fire. He was also

Put Your
Thinking Caps
On!
1. Sinan Pasha of
Belgrade ordered that the
relics of St. Sava be translated to Belgrade and there to be
burned on Vracar, April 27, 1594.

a. True

b. False
2. We commemorate the burning of St. Sava relics on May 10 each year.

a. True

b. False
3. The Vidovdan Feast day is commemorated
on?
a. May 12th

b. June 11th

c. June 28th

d. August 28th
4. What special feast day described in the Book
of Acts was followed by a massive conversion of
the crowd after they had each heard the Gospel
being preached in their own language?

a. Transfiguration

b. Pentecost

c. Ascension

d. Pascha

5. Transfiguration Feast Day falls on which date?

a. July 12th
b. August 19th
c. August 28th
d. January 19th
Answers: 1-a; 2-a; 3-c; 4-b; 5-b.

filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
Coming down to those on earth, the Holy Spirits
spring was seen in the form of fiery streams apportioned
spiritually to all, as it bedewed and enlightened the Lords
Apostles. And thus, the fire became a cloud bedewing
them, filling them with light, and raining flames on them.
And through them, grace hath been vouchsafed us by fire
and water in very truth. Behold, the Comforters light is
come and hath illumined the whole world. (Pentecost Matins, Sessional hymn after the 2nd reading from the Psalter)
That is the reason why the Holy Spirit comes in the
form of a dove: it is a simple joyous creature, not bitter
with gall, not biting savagely, without vicious rearing claws;
it loves to dwell with humankind, it keeps to one house
for assembling; when they mate they hatch their young
together, when they fly anywhere they keep their formulation, the resorts they live in are shared in common, by
their billing too they pay tribute to concord and peace, in
all things they fulfil the law of unanimity. The same is the
simplicity of the Church which we need to learn, this is the
charity we must acquire, that we may imitate the doves
in our love for the brethren, and rival lambs and sheep in
their meekness and gentleness. St. Cyprian, The Unity of
the Catholic Church

manifested by the mighty wind, and by the Apostles speaking in Tongues.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened
unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a
dove, and lighting upon him (Mat 3:16)
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. {3}
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of
fire, and it sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all

Q. What is the complete text of the most famous

prayer to the Holy Spirit? Which services is it used in?
There are certain days when it is not used. When?
A. The Most common prayer to the Holy Spirit is O
Heavenly King:
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art
everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good
things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us, and cleanse
us of all impurity, and save, our souls, O Good One.
This prayer is at the beginning of many
services, e.g. Divine Liturgy, morning and
evening prayers, etc.; as the start of
the Trisagion prayers, which,
although simple and often
repeated, contain a depth of
theological teachings.

On June 3rd (May 21st on Julian calendar)

we commemorate:

A
Q
&

Saint Constantine and Empress Helena

onstantines parents were Emperor Constantius Chlorus and the Empress Helena.
Chlorus had other children by another wife, but from
Helena he had only Constantine. After his coronation
Constantine fought three great battles: one, against
Maxentius, a Roman tyrant;
the second, against the Scythians on the Danube and the
third, against the Byzantines.
Before the battle with Maxentius, while Constantine was
greatly concerned and in doubt
about hissuccess, a brilliant
Cross appeared to him in the
sky during the day, completely
adorned with stars and written
on the Cross were these words:
By this Sign Conquer. Astonished, the emperor ordered a
large cross to be forged similar
to the one that appeared to him
and that it be carried before
thearmy.
By the power of the Cross
he achieved a glorious victory over the enemy who was
superior in members. Maxentius was drowned in the Tiber
River. Immediately after that,
Constantine issued the famous
Edict of Milan in the year 313 A.D. to halt the persecution
of Christians. Defeating the Byzantines, Constantine built
a beautiful capital on the Bosphorus that from that time on
was called Constantinople.

efore that, however, Constantine succumbed to the

dreaded disease of leprosy. As a cure, the pagan
priests andphysicianscounseled him to bathe in the blood
of slaughtered children. However, he rejected that. Then
the Apostles Peter and Paul appeared to him and told him
to seek out Bishop Sylvester who will
cure him of this dreaded disease.
The bishop instructed him in the
Christian Faith, baptized him and the
disease of leprosy vanished from the
emperors body.
hen a discord began in
the Church because of the
mutinous heretic Arius, the emperor convened the First Ecumenical
Council in Nicaea, 325 A.D., where
the heresy was condemned and
Orthodoxy confirmed. St. Helena, the
pious mother of the emperor, was
very zealous for the Faith of Christ.
She visited Jerusalem, discovered
the Honorable Cross of the Lord, built
the Church of the Resurrection on
Golgotha and many other churches
throughout the Holy Land. This holy
woman presented herself to the Lord
in her eightieth year in 327 A.D. Emperor Constantine outlived his mother
by ten years. He died in Nicomedia in
his sixty-fifth year in 337 A.D. His body was interred in the
Church of the Twelve Apostles in Constantinople.
(Taken from the Prologue of Ohrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovic)

OOururVView
iewOur View Our View
Our View is the official publication of The Serbian Orthodox Youth Ministry Committee and is a regular feature of The Path of Orthodoxy.
Comments can be directed to the committee via e-mail at: youth-ministry@earthlink.net.

Page Eight
The Path of Orthodoxy

The Path

of

June 2014

Orthodoxy

The Official Publication of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America

() 49

2014

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The Path of Orthodoxy

June 2014 P
age Nine

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(Summary: His Grace Bishop Maxim of the Western Serbian
Diocese celebrated Holy Liturgy in Prizren, in the absence of Bishop
Teodosije, who was attending Holy Bishops Synod session in Belgrade,
on the occasion of the seminary Patron Saints, Cyril and Methodius. He
was assisted by 18 clergy The seminarians and professors responded
at Holy Liturgy After Holy Liturgy, a luncheon and program were

The Prizren Seminarys Slava

(Summary: Bishop Maxim while

attending Holy Bishops Assembly in
Belgrade, took time to visit Serbian
children in Velika Hoca and Orahovac and distributed monetary aid in
amount of $5,000. collected by the Serbian Sisters Circle of San Francisco He was accompanied by Archmandrite Sava of Visoki Decani
and other clerics Ninety children from Velika Hoca and seventy from
Orahovac received monetary aid)

Children of Velika Hoca
received monetary aid

held in the Seminary facilities - Zaduzbina Sime Igumanova -...Bishop
Maxim addressed the students and professors as well as the faithful in
attendanceThere were present a group from the USA, the representatives of the IOCC)

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Page
Ten

The Path of Orthodoxy

June 2014

8. 12. 2014.



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Bishop Maxim and Fr. Blasko with Orthodox clergy in Mexico

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(Summary: The children of the St. Archangel Michael Parish

, in Salt Lake City, Utah with their first offering have initiated Fond for
building of a new church in Salt Lake City. This was indeed a very
,
moving act on the part of the youngest ones, which will certainly
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give impulse to all to support this project. This will also enter into the
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annals of the parish in Salt Lake City)

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(Summary: His Grace Bishop Maxim, accompanied by Fr. Blasko Paraklis, made a third visit to the Mexico City Serbian
community. The Serbs living in Mexico City scheduled services to be
held on Sunday, May 11, 2014. His Grace officiated at Holy Liturgy
in the Holy Trinity Monastery and extended his blessing upon those
present at the service His Grace established a missionary parish in
Mexico City, composed whose congregation includes Sanja Savkic,
Milena Markovic, Dejan Mihailovic Nikolajevic, George Prokic and Vanja
Ilic. Fr. Blasko Paraklis was appointed temporary administrator Fr.
Blasko will visit Serbian Community this coming fall There are three
Orthodox Bishops with residence in Mexico and two who occasionally
visit the faithful)

continued from p. 8
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June 2014

The Path

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Orthodoxy
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(Summary: His Grace Bishop Georgije assisted by two
Bishops and 16 clergy officiated at the consecration of a newly
built church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on Sunday, April 27,
2014. On the eve of consecration, Saturday, April 26th, a Vesper
service was held, followed by a banquet which was attended by over 500
people. On Sunday, April 27, 2014, following consecration and Holy Liturgy, a reception was held in the Church Hall facilities. His Grace praised
the parishioners and invited them to grow spiritually, attending church
services and adhering to the teaching of our Holy Church His Grace
awarded the Order of St. King Milutin to the most deserving as well as
Episcopal Gramatas The parish priest Fr. Obrad Filipovich was awarded pectoral cross and title protopresbyter-stavrofor).


Page
Twelve

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Address Service Requested

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Official Publication of the Serbian
Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada
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June 2014

Orthodoxy

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Newly ordained priest Fr. Nikolaj Kostur with Bishop Longin

, 13. 2014. , .
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(ROCOR) . .
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(BTh 2005)
(MTh 2009). 26. 2009. ,
. Sea Cliff, New York.
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Joe Buley Memorial Library
, . . , 19. 2009.
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: (2010), (2012) (2014).
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P.S. See last month's issue of The Path for the English text.