EIGHT HUNDRED YEARS OF AUTOCEPHALY OF THE SERBIAN ORTHO- DOX (1219-2019)

The Voice † of St. George

Summer 2019

St. George Western American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North & South America Table of Contents:

3. Father Bratso’s Letter to the Parish 5. Paschal Encyclical of the Serbian Orthodox Church (in the English and Serbian languages) by Irinej

11. Letter from Kate Thickstun, Parish Council President

12. Announcements 13. St. George Calendar of Events

14. “The Seven Times Christ Spoke on the Cross” by St. Nicholas (Velimirovic) 15. A by St. Justin Popovich

20. “St. George Sanctuary Restoration Project” by Protodeacon Paul (Germain) 22. “And Ascended into Heaven” by V. Rev. George Florovsky

Above: Mosaic from St. George Serbian Church 26. KOLO news Cover: The is the artwork of Alesandar Zivadi- 27. March 17-18, 2004 Pogrom in Kosovo novic from St. Sava Church in Phoenix, Arizona and Metohija Diocesan : The Right Rev. Bishop Dr. Maxim (Vasiljevic) 28. Morava News by Cristina Dukovich Diocesan website http://westsrbdio.org 29. Wish List for the St. George Serbian ______Orthodox Church Editor: Father Bratso; Photography by Reader Aleksander Bradic 30. Advertise with THE VOICE Mail your materials to Natalia Valenti at [email protected] FATHER BRATSO’S LETTER TO THE PARISH

It was embittered, for it was abol- and each other, and that which di- ished. It was embittered, for it was vides us is sin. mocked. It was embittered, for it was Education slain. It was embittered, for it was overthrown. It was embittered, for it Orthodox Christian Education is was fettered in chains. It took a body, an activity that should concern all of and met God face to face. It took us, i.e. grandparents, parents, chil- earth, and encountered Heaven. It dren, youth workers, teachers, neigh- took that which was seen, and fell up- bors, orthodox parishes and our cler- on the unseen… O Death, where is gy. your sting? O Hell, where is your vic- ALL of us have potential in con- tory? Christ is risen, and you are over- tributing to the process of education; thrown. Christ is risen, and the de- ALL of us have room for improve- mons are fallen. Christ is risen, and ment; and ALL of us will be held ac- the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and countable on how we’ve utilized our life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one talents given to us by God. Dear Parishioners and Friends, dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become When one looks at the cultures in Christ is Risen! the first fruits of those who have fallen which has been long es- tablished, we find the home as a place It is a great joy for me to greet asleep. To Him be glory and dominion where the Orthodox faith is lived. you all with these words of victory, unto ages of ages. Amen.” Indeed, the real training takes place life, joy and God’s immeasurable love! Let us proclaim our Risen in the home where grandparents and Saint Seraphim of Sarov would greet Lord with our faith renewed and parents are teachers. the pilgrims who came to his monas- strengthened this Paschal season. I tery throughout the entire year with pray that we all may have even now a Welcoming others these words: “Christ is risen, my joy!” foretaste of the joy of the future age, My co-workers in Jesus But, in order for us to reach that spir- the joy of resurrection and eternal Christ, we should not be afraid of wel- itual state, in the words of Saintly life! coming to our church all the people of Bishop Nikolai “we must with our good will. Everybody, regardless of very life kiss Christ’s Crucifixion, not Liturgical Life – the center of our their ancestry, is welcome to be a out of custom, but rather as our own life part of our community. This will only crucifixion, and kiss his wounds as Liturgical life is the center of our make us appreciate more our Ortho- our own wounds.” life. The is the true dox Faith, our services, and our par- St. (+407) in foundation of every parish. It is in ish. It will also make us, who grew up his Paschal homily writes: “Enjoy ye the Divine Liturgy that we are united in our church, to study our Faith all the feast of faith: Receive ye all the with Christ and one another. “Let us more, and therefore, grow spiritually. riches of loving-kindness, let no one love one another, that with one mind So then take every opportuni- bewail his poverty, for the universal we may confess, Father, Son, and Ho- ty to talk about the greatness and kingdom has been revealed. Let no one ly Spirit, one in essence and majesty of our services and Faith. weep for his iniquities, for pardon has undivided.” We are always reminded, Invite people to come and join us on shown forth from the grave. Let no one before approaching the chalice (Holy Sundays and Feast Day Liturgies. We fear death, for the Savior’s death has Communion), to seek pardon and rec- welcome everybody. You, my be- set us free. He that was held prisoner onciliation with everyone. Love and loved parishioners and supporters, of it has annihilated it. By descending faith are indeed indivisible. Love are the members of the royal priest- into Hell, He made Hell captive. He em- joins a person with his fellow parish- hood by the virtue of your baptism. bittered it when it tasted of His flesh. ioners and neighbors, while the faith What does this mean? It means that And Isaiah, foretelling this, did cry: links a person with God. The Eucha- you have the highest status, which all Hell, said he, was embittered, when it ristic structure of a parish reminds us baptized Orthodox share. You are a encountered Thee in the lower regions. that we should be united with Christ

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“chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy center talking about the Gospel and offer updates on remodeling of our nation, God’s own people,” as St. Epistle lessons read at the Liturgy. church property (the church, the social says in his first epistle. Each one of you hall, etc.) Please, take a moment to read Another very important aspect is called to be a witness to Christ. Each Protodeacon Paul Germain’s and Kate in mission work that we so often neglect one of you is called to be completely Thickstun, our Parish Council presi- is sharing something positive about our open to the Holy Spirit given to you at dent’s, letters. My thanks go out to all parish, our events, and our Orthodox baptism. Each one of you is an evange- of you, our supporters and co-workers Faith. We all play a very important role lizing person. Each one of you can con- in God’s vineyard at St. George parish. in building our parish’s positive image. tribute to the growth of our parish. We are moving forward, by God’s Just think, if most of us work really hard Each one of us is called to be a mission- grace, and your dedication and love. in bringing people to the Faith while ary. Our St. George parish needs to be a Thank you! only two or three members of our com- missionary church. How do we accom- munity share some negative thoughts Let us always remember that plish this? We can achieve this only by about our parish, either with strangers or the renovation of our church property totally commending each other and our- neighbors, we truly doubt that these must be preceded with the renewal of selves to Christ our God. people will have a desire to even step our faith and lives in Christ our Lord. Serving the Divine Liturgy and inside our church, let alone to embrace We can do this by praying, partaking of partaking of Holy Communion is essen- our Faith. confession and Eucharist, and spending tial to our spiritual lives and the mis- time in fellowship with each other. We need to be attentive and sionary work we are called to do. Active spiritually attuned in order to discern Our 50th anniversary of the consecra- participation in the singing of responses the spiritual needs and struggles of one tion of the church (1969-2019), Aug. with the choir and cantors, and the read- another. This will enable us to better 3rd and 4th, mark your calendar! ing of the Epistle lessons and reflecting support each other and have a stronger on daily Scriptural readings are all fun- As previously announced, the community centered in Jesus Christ our damental ways of sanctifying our lives 50th anniversary will have a series of Lord. in Christ our Lord. Attendance at all events leading up to the main celebra- services during the weekend should be a Our conduct witnesses our faith tion on August 3rd and 4th of this year. Everyone is invited and everyone is priority over everything else. Every ef- Christ calls us to conduct our- asked to be an ambassador for our par- fort should be made to implement the selves wherever we are (workplace, ish. Please, invite your family members, learned Gospel truths into our lives, home, church, shopping center), in a kumovi and friends to come and be with both on the family and parish level. manner worthy of Him in Whose name us. More information will be forthcom- A study shows that well over we have been baptized. There are many ing. 70% of those who attend any church in ways by which we can bring the Gospel our country do so, because they were into our community, workplace, and Thank you to many volunteers! You asked to come either by their neighbors homes. But first and foremost is love. are appreciated! “By this all will know that you are My or friends. Faithful and beloved brother There are too many volunteers disciples, if you have love for one an- and sister in Christ, have you ever invit- to list here, but please know that you are other.” (John 13:35) ed anyone to come with you to the Di- appreciated. Many tasks such as fence vine Liturgy? Here is something that Renovation of our church property painting, mosaic and church cleaning, each one of us can do regardless of age. must be preceded with renewal of our trash picking, cooking, singing, baking We can invite our friends to come along faith and lives in Christ prosphoron, etc., have been completed with us, and perhaps, after the service, and are being carried out because of In this issue of the Voice we continue the fellowship in our parish your good stewardship of time, talent

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 4

The Serbian Orthodox Church to her spiritual children at Pascha, 2019

+IRINEJ

By the Grace of God Orthodox of Pec, Metropolitan of Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch, with all the Hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church to all the , monastics, and all the sons and daughters of our Holy Church: grace, mercy and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, with the joyous :

Christ is Risen!

O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb! Christ is risen, and life reigns! (Paschal Homily of Saint John Chrysostom)

Dear Spiritual Children, of the human spirit – philosophy, sci- Christ’s Resurrection, as the Good ence and art - in the end, have only News of the Gospel and an irrefutable With hearts full of joy and the light, we one goal: to conquer death! To this fact, is the firm foundation and the today celebrate Feast of feasts, the end, throughout the centuries, man- heart of the Christian faith. It has be- Feast of victory of faith and life over kind has created unprecedented won- come a new birth of humanity for eter- death, the feast of Christ’s resurrec- ders of technical and material culture nal life and a door leading into the tion, as well as the resurrection of hu- in general. It has developed scientific world of a new, transfigured reality, man nature, the resurrection of every knowledge to unprecedented propor- the reality of the glory of the Heavenly person. tions, it has demonstrated an immeas- Kingdom. The words of the Holy Apos- Dissolution and death, planted in hu- urable momentum of social creativity, tle Paul attest to this fully when he man nature through sin, confirm with philosophical thought has led to ex- said: “But now Christ is risen from the their glaring and undeniable certainty traordinary elegance and clarity and it dead, and has become the first fruits of the end of the historical path and life has created great art, but the goal re- those who have fallen asleep.” (I Corin- of every human being. The biological mained unreachable! The reason is thians 15:20) cycle that begins from the mother’s simple – the transient and created The mystery of Christ’s Resurrection womb ends in the womb of the earth, cannot by itself become permanent reveals to us that God in no way is an but passingness and death show them- and eternal. abstract notion or some hypothetical selves as the only unavoidable reality. and unapproachable “higher power”, But we, from the first man to this day, That is why the Only-Begotten Son of which enslaves and limits us with a with our every word, thought and ac- God, the Incarnated Love of God, came system of moral norms. On contrary, tion show that we do not accept death, into the world and endured sufferings He is a perfect Person Who came into that the death is anomaly, that we are on the Cross, and in so doing, once and the world not only to improve the con- hungry and thirsty for eternal life, that for all -- Oh what a miracle!--made His ditions of this life or to offer to us is, that we are created and elected for life our life! He took our death upon some, or even an ideal economic or the fullness of life and eternity. Himself as His own, so that, by the political system or to teach us a meth- blessing and the love of the Heavenly Hence all human efforts are directed od by which to achieve a certain psy- Father, He would rise from the grave, towards an attempt in finding a cure cho-physical balance. He came to con- and so by His death irreversibly over- against death and decay. All the reli- quer death as “the last enemy” (cf. I come the general law of dying and gions of the world, all sublime efforts Cor. 15:26) and to bring life eternal to death.

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the entire human race. “For God so In such a devious world, With special earnestness, loved the world that He gave His we, the Orthodox Christians, are we pray today to the Resurrected only begotten Son, that whoever called to witness by our example to Christ God that, through the inter- believes in Him should not perish our loved ones and neighbors, near cession of , the Holy Tsar but have everlasting life.” (St. John and far, the victory of life over Lazar and all the saints of our na- 3:16) death and of sense over nonsense. tion, peace and freedom may re- It is no coincidence that The Church must not live only for turn to our crucified Kosovo and none of the evangelists has tried to itself as a closed religious commu- Metohija, our spiritual cradle and describe the Resurrection Event nity, concerned only with ques- our Jerusalem, where the greatest itself, that is, to present what has tions of personal piety. She is Serbian holy shrines are, the pearls happened during the key moment obliged to be the bearer of peace of Orthodox spirituality, Serbian of rising from the sleep of death. and reconciliation, love and soli- culture and of the entire Christian All, without exception, talk about darity to the entire human race and world spiritual heritage. the consequences of that Event through the joy and experience of God, by spreading His and cite testimonies from people the Resurrection. arms upon the Cross, has em- about the empty tomb. The actual Let us ask ourselves: what braced and drawn to Himself all Mystery of the Resurrection re- kind of faith do we have? Do we people and all of creation and has mains hidden. What the eyewit- really believe that Christ rose from come to dwell within us as Eternal nesses, disciples and apostles of the dead? Does this Event have Love, full of grace and truth. There- Christ have witnessed and what crucial saving consequences for us fore let us, by likening ourselves the saints of God throughout the and for our lives? In the answer to unto Him, embrace each other with centuries have confirmed, are the this simple question lie the an- God's crucified and resurrected appearances of the Resurrected swers to all our troubles, fears and Love! Not only those who love us, Lord and their experience of con- insecurities; the answers to all our but also our enemies! Let us for- versing and entering into com- temptations, existential dilemmas, give them, because the Lord also munion with Him. psychological conflicts, moral, soci- forgave us our sins on the Cross, etal, national and all other chal- saying, "Father, forgive them, for This means that not only lenges, of both a personal and they know not what they do." (St. can no one comprehend and see, global character. “If you confess Luke 23:34) “If there were no but also, no one can describe these with your mouth the Lord Jesus and words: forgive me, and may it be saving events, which are above our believe in your heart that God has forgiven, human life would be to- intellectual capabilities. We are raised Him from the dead, you will tally unbearable", said the Serbian made worthy of the reality of these be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Chrysostom, Saint Bishop Nikolai. Mysteries only through faith and In this year when we So, let us forgive each other! Let us spiritual experience, because the celebrate the great jubilee of reconcile with each other! Let us reality of communion with the Res- our Church, the eight centuries embrace each other, that we may urrected One is not a question of of its autocephaly, we pray for walk the sacred path of Divine laboratory research and rational Love! Let us witness the Love and the fullness of our blessed na- proof, but rather is that of the Eu- tion, living in the fatherland and live by Him! charistic participation in the com- abroad, that it may rejoice in the Expressing with one mon Life Cup. We have the blessed Resurrection of Christ, and in mouth and one heart these truths, opportunity to experience the love and in harmony may pre- all of us Orthodox Christians fruits of the Resurrection, but not serve the unity of our Holy throughout the world today ex- to judge the nature of this Mystery Church; that no personal or any claim: "This is the day of resurrec- in isolation, but only together with earthly interests may ever sup- tion. Let us be illumined by the the Mystery of Incarnation and plant the interests of the Church feast. Let us embrace each other. with all the Mysteries of the Divine of Christ, nor of the general wel- Let us call “Brothers” of even those of salvation as a whole. fare of mankind. that hate us, and forgive all by the resurrection, and so let us cry:

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 6 Christ is risen from the dead, tram- pling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life.” Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! Given at the Serbian in Belgrade on Pascha 2019.

Your intercessors before the Resur- rected Christ: Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch IRINEJ Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Coastlands AMPHILOHIJE Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana PORFIRIJE Metropolitan of Dabro-Bosna CHRYS- OSTOM Bishop of Sabac LAVRENTIJE Bishop of Srem VASILIJE Bishop of Banja Luka JEFREM Bishop of Budim LUKIJAN Bishop of Banat NIKANOR Bishop of New Gracanica-Midwestern America LONGIN Bishop of Canada MITROPHAN Bishop of Backa IRINEJ Bishop of Great Britain and Scandina- via DOSITEJ Bishop of Western Europe LUKA Bishop of Zicha JUSTIN Bishop of Vranje PAHOMIJE Bishop of Sumadija JOVAN Bishop of Branicevo IGNATIJE Bishop of Zvornik-Tuzla FOTIJE Bishop of Austria &Switzerland ANDREJ Vicar Bishop of Moravica ANTONIJE Bishop of Mileseva ATANASIJE Bishop of Bihac-Petrovac SERGIJE Vicar Bishop of Remezijan STEFAN Bishop of Budimlje and Niksic JOAN- Bishop of Timok ILARION Vicar Bishop of Mohac ISIHIJE IKIJE Bishop of Nis ARSENIJE Vicar Bishop of Diokleia METODIJE Bishop of Düsseldorf and Germany Bishop of Australia and New Zealand THE ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF GRIGORIJE Metropolitanate SILUAN OCHRID: Bishop of Valjevo MILUTIN Bishop of Buenos Aires and South Cen- Archbishop of Ochrid and of Ras and Prizren TEODOSIJE tral America KIRIL of Skoplje JOVAN Bishop of Western America MAXIM Bishop of Dalmatia NIKODIM Bishop of Polog and Kumanovo Bishop of Gornji Karlovac GERASIM Bishop of Osek-Polje and Baranja JOAKIM HERUVIM Bishop of Eastern America IRINEJ Bishop of Bregalnica MARKO Bishop of Krusevac DAVID Bishop of Zahumlje and Hercegovina Bishop of Slavonia JOVAN DIMITRIJE Vicar Bishop of Stobi DAVID

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Српска Православна Црква својој духовној деци о Васкрсу 2019. године

ИРИНЕЈ „Смрти, где ти је жалац? по милости Божјој православни Аде, где ти је победа? Архиепископ пећки, Митрополит Васкрсе Христос и ниједнога београдско-карловачки и Патријарх мртвог у гробу! српски, са свим архијерејима Српске Православне Цркве – свештенству, монаштву и свим синовима и кћерима Васкршње слово светог Јована наше свете Цркве: благодат, милост и мир ( од Бога Оца, и Господа нашега Исуса Златоуста) Христа, и Духа Светога, уз радосни Христос васкрсе! Ваистину васкрсе!

Драга духовна децо, пропадљивости. Све религије чињеница, постало је постојани света, сви узвишени напори темељ и срце хришћанске вере. Срцâ испуњених великом радошћу људског духа – философија, наука Оно је постало ново рођење човека и светлошћу, данас славимо и уметност – у крајњем случају за вечни живот и врата која га воде Празник над празницима, имају само један циљ: победити у свет нове, преображене свепразник победе вере и живота смрт! С тим циљем, човечанство је реалности, реалности славе над смрћу, празник Васкрсења кроз векове створило невиђена Царства небеског. То Христовог, али и васкрсења људске чуда технике и материјалне најсадржајније сведоче речи светог природе, васкрсења сваког човека. културе уопште. До неслућених апостола Павла, који каже: „...

размера развило је научно знање, Заиста је Христос устао из мртвих, Пропадљивост и смрт, кроз испољило немерљив замах те постаде првенац оних који су грех усађени у људску природу, социјалног стваралаштва, умрли“ (I Кор. 15, 20). својом грубом и непобитном философску мисао довело до Тајна Васкрсења Христовог извесношћу потврђују крај изванредне финоће и јасноће и нам открива да Бог ни у ком историјског пута и живота сваког створило велику уметност, али циљ случају није апстрактан појам или људског бића. Биолошки циклус је остао недостижан! Разлог је некаква хипотетичка и недоступна који почиње од мајчине утробе једноставан – пролазно и створено „виша сила“, која нас системом завршава се у утроби земље, а не може само из себе постати моралних норми поробљава и пролазност и смрт се показују непролазно и вечно. ограничава. Он је, напротив, једином неизбежном стварношћу. Стога је Јединородни Син савршена Личност Која је дошла у Ми, међутим, од првог човека до Божји, оваплоћена Љубав Божја, свет не само да побољша услове данас, сваком својом речју, мишљу дошао у свет, претрпео и поднео овдашњег живота, или да нам и делом показујемо да се са смрћу страдања на Крсту и тако је, понуди неки, макар и не слажемо, да је смрт аномалија, једампут за свагда, о чуда, учинио најсавршенији, економски и да смо гладни и жедни непролазног Свој живот животом нашим! Узео политички систем, или да нас живота, једном речју, да смо је на Себе нашу смрт као Своју да научи методу којим се постиже створени и назначени за пуноћу би, благовољењем и човекољубљем извесна психофизичка равнотежа. живота и вечности. Стога смрт Оца небескога, победоносно устао Он је дошао да победи смрт као видимо као бесмисао, као свог из гроба и Својом смрћу „последњег непријатеља“ (I Кор. највећег и у суштини јединог, неповратно обеснажио 15, 26) и да донесе живот вечни последњег непријатеља. општеважећи закон умирања и читавом људском роду. „Јер Бог Отуда су сви напори смрти. тако заволе свет да је и Сина Свога човечанства усмерени на покушај Једнороднога дао да нико ко верује Васкрсење Христово, као изналажења лека против смрти и у Њега не пропадне него да свако блага вест и као непобитна

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 8 гробу. Сама Тајна Васкрсења остаје Оваплоћења и са свим Тајнама Догађај Васкрсења се доживљава у скривена. Оно што су тада очевици, божанског Домостроја спасења. литургијској заједници са другима, ученици и апостоли Христови, тојест у Цркви Христовој. Према Ту Тајну над тајнама открио посведочили, и што су кроз векове томе, Васкрсење се не односи само нам је Сâм Васкрсли Господ када је светитељи Божји у Цркви на појединца него се тиче целе са двојицом Својих ученика био на потврдили, јесу јављања заједнице, Народа Божјег у целини. путу према селу Емаус: „О безумни Васкрслога Господа и њихова По дару Божјем, то је универзални, и спорога срца за веровање у све искуства заједничарења са Њим. То васељенски, црквени догађај. Сви што говорише пророци! Није ли значи да нико не може не само да народи и племена на земљи, сва требало да Христос то претрпи и да схвати и види него ни да опише ове људска бића, позвана су да доживе уђе у славу Своју?“ (Лук. 24, 25 – спасоносне догађаје, који своју свештену Пасху кроз догађај 26). Потпуно им се открио у свом превазилазе наше интелектуалне Христовог Васкрсења. васкрслом и преображеном обличју могућности. Удостојени смо тек када је за време вечере узео Крстом и Васкрсењем стварности ових Тајни само кроз хлеб и благословио га, а потом га и Својим Христос је коначно веру и духовно искуство јер разделио. Тада су им се отвориле умртвио непријатељство и реалност заједнице са Васкрслим очи ума и они Га препознаше као човечанство сјединио у једно Тело и није питање лабораторијског Васкрслога Господа. Радосна један Народ. Стога Једна, Света, истраживања и рационалног стварност Васкрсења не може бити Саборна и Апостолска Црква јесте доказивања већ евхаристијског обухваћена људским разумом. Само Црква помирења свих и свега. Зато учешћа у заједничкој Чаши живота. очима вере, и то не било где него на сви ми, измирени, испуњени новим, Имамо благословену могућност да светој Литургији, можемо истинским животом, постадосмо искусимо плодове Васкрсења, али препознати Васкрслог и „суграђани светих и домаћи не и да судимо о природи ове Тајне, прослављеног Спаситеља Христа. Божји“ (Еф. 2, 19). баш као што се дешава и са Тајном

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највећом брзином путем народа, који живи у отаџбини и у смрт поразивши и онима који су у савремених средстава расејању, да се радује Васкрсењу гробовима живот даровавши.“ комуникације, рањавају наша срца. Христовом и да у љубави и слози Христос васкрсе! Разноврсна и безбројна разочарења, чува јединство своје свете Цркве; туга и незадовољство обузимају да никада своје личне или било чије Ваистину васкрсе! наше душе. Свуда око нас влада земаљске интересе не претпоставља неправда и мржња, а истина се интересу Цркве Христове, али ни Дано у Патријаршији српској у релативизује. Људе врлинског свеопштем људском добру. Београду, живота клеветају и прогоне. То се Са посебним усрђем се данас о Васкрсу 2019. године. одвија не само на личном и молимо Васкрсломе Христу Богу да локалном плану него и у глобалним Ваши молитвеници пред се, заступништвом Светога Саве, размерама. Сведоци смо да се данас Васкрслим Госпoдом: светога цара Лазара и свих светих у целом свету основне хришћанске из рода нашега, врате мир и АРХИЕПИСКОП ПЕЋКИ, вредности потискују у други план, а МИТРОПОЛИТ БЕОГРАДСКО- слобода на наше распето Косово и човечанству се негде предлажу, а КАРЛОВАЧКИ Метохију, нашу духовну колевку и негде намећу не само хришћанству И ПАТРИЈАРХ СРПСКИ ИРИНЕЈ наш Јерусалим, тамо где су највеће туђи него и њему потпуно супротни српске светиње, бисери Митрополит црногорско-приморски системи вредности. АМФИЛОХИЈЕ православне духовности, српске Митрополит загребачко-љубљански У тако изопаченом свету, културе и свеукупне хришћанске и ПОРФИРИЈЕ ми, православни хришћани, светске духовне баштине. Митрополит дабробосански ХРИЗОСТОМ позвани смо да својим примером Бог је Собом као вечном сведочимо, ближњима и даљњима, Епископ шабачки ЛАВРЕНТИЈЕ Љубављу, Својим рукама Епископ сремски ВАСИЛИЈЕ победу живота над смрћу и смисла раширеним на Крсту, загрлио све Епископ бањалучки ЈЕФРЕМ над бесмислом. Црква не сме да људе и сву творевину и уселио се у Епископ будимски ЛУКИЈАН живи само за себе као затворена Епископ банатски НИКАНОР нас, пун благодати и истине. Стога религијска заједница, заокупљена Епископ новограчаничко- и ми, саображавајући се Њему, само питањима личне побожности. средњезападноамерички ЛОНГИН загрлимо крстоваскрсном љубављу Епископ канадски МИТРОФАН Дужна је да радошћу и искуством Божјом једни друге! Не само оне Епископ бачки ИРИНЕЈ Васкрсења буде чинилац мира и Епископ британско-скандинавски ДОСИТЕЈ који нас воле – љубављу загрлимо и помирења, љубави и солидарности, Епископ западноевропски ЛУКА непријатеље наше! Опростимо им у свецелом човечанству. Епископ жички ЈУСТИН јер је и Господ нама на Крсту Епископ врањски ПАХОМИЈЕ Запитајмо се: каква је наша опростио грехе наше рекавши: Епископ шумадијски ЈОВАН вера? Да ли ми заиста верујемо да „Оче, опрости им јер не знају шта Епископ браничевски ИГЊАТИЈЕ Епископ зворничко-тузлански ФОТИЈЕ је Христос васкрсао из мртвих? Да чине!“ (Лук. 23, 34). „Да не постоје Епископ милешевски АТАНАСИЈЕ ли тај Догађај има пресудне речи: опрости ми! и нека ти је Епископ будимљанско-никшићки спасоносне последице за нас и за просто! људски живот би био ЈОАНИКИЈЕ наш живот? У одговору на то потпуно неподношљив“, благовести Епископ диселдорфски и немачки ГРИГОРИЈЕ једноставно питање леже и српски Златоуст, свети Владика Епископ ваљевски МИЛУТИН одговори на све наше невоље, Николај. Опростимо дакле једни Епископ рашко-призренски ТЕОДОСИЈЕ страхове и несигурности, на сва другима! Помиримо се једни са Епископ западноамерички МАКСИМ наша искушења, егзистенцијалне другима! Загрлимо једни друге и Епископ горњокарловачки ГЕРАСИМ недоумице, психолошке конфликте, Епископ источноамерички ИРИНЕЈ ходимо светим путем божанске Епископ крушевачки ДАВИД моралне, друштвене, националне и љубави! Сведочимо Љубав и њоме Епископ славонски ЈОВАН све друге изазове, личног и живимо! Епископ аустријско-швајцарски АНДРЕЈ глобалног карактера. „Јер, ако Епископ бихаћко-петровачки СЕРГИЈЕ Изражавајући једним исповедаш устима својим да Исус Епископ тимочки ИЛАРИОН устима и једним срцем ове истине, Епископ нишки АРСЕНИЈЕ јесте Господ, и верујеш у срцу своме сви ми, православни хришћани Епископ Митрополије аустралијско- да га Бог подиже из мртвих, бићеш широм васељене, данас кличемо: новозеландске СИЛУАН спасен“ (Римљ. 10, 9). Епископ буеносаирески и јужно- „Данас је дан Васкрсења и централноамерички КИРИЛО У години у којој просветлимо се слављем, и једни Епископ далматински НИКОДИМ прослављамо велики јубилеј наше друге загрлимо, и рецимо: Браћо! и Епископ осечко-пољски и барањски Цркве, осам векова њене онима који нас мрзе! Опростимо ХЕРУВИМ Епископ захумско-херцеговачки ДИМИТРИЈЕ аутокефалности, молимо се за све Васкрсењем и запевајмо: пуноћу нашег благочестивог Христос васкрсе из мртвих, смрћу

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 10 LETTER FROM KATE THICKSTUN, PARISH COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Dear Fellow Parishioners, have made St. George Parish what sanctuary; and replacing all the I hope you all had the opportunity it is today, both physically and doors (three double doors and two to celebrate Easter at our parish. spiritually. Board Member (and single doors). On June 9, we will Our Passion Week services, so choir member) Kira Anthofer is hold a Special Assembly to present beautiful and prayerful, culminat- chairing the celebration and has the plans and to ask for your ap- ed in a glorious Paschal celebra- planned a series of wonderful proval of the proposed budget. An tion. The liturgy was beautiful, our events designed to involve every- announcement will be mailed out choir sang wonderfully, our Sun- one, including our neighbors! It is shortly. day School kids ended the liturgy a huge undertaking, but all doable I am sure for many of you, like me, with a song they had learned just with help from you. There is a job the joy of our Paschal celebration for us! The banquet was fantastic, for everyone. Please email her at was tempered by the tragedy at [email protected] thanks to Simona Trifunovic and Chabad of Poway as they celebrat- Kira is also in the choir loft and so- her talented, tireless kitchen crew. ed Passover (Pesach or Pascha) cial hall most Sundays. But what made it truly special the day before. Chabad is next were all of you who celebrated I hope you have all noticed the door to St. Or- with us. I hope to see you all again renovations we have undertaken thodox Church (OCA). At 10:00 at our Church Slava, Sunday, May 5. in our sanctuary. Phase I has in- that morning, St. John began its cluded repairing the mosaic over Our Slava will kick off a series of Vesper Liturgy. The tragedy began the stairwell; hand-cleaning the just before 11:30 and St. John events celebrating the 50th Anni- mosaic from the floor to the high- versary of the Consecration of our opened its doors to shelter those est point of the ceiling; cleaning, Sanctuary. We would not have our fleeing from the synagogue. I repairing and resealing the three would like to think we would do beautiful sanctuary were it not for domes and crosses; and, soon, re- the vision of Fr. Velimir Petakovic the same. pairing and replacing the roof. and our parishioners fifty years Yours in Christ, Phase II will include installing ago. Our 50th Anniversary is a cel- Kate Thickstun heating and air conditioning; re- ebration of all the people who placing the concrete around the

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ANNOUNCEMENTS by Father Bratso

NEW TO SAINT GEORGE PARISH? For any questions regarding this ministry, please contact Fr. Bratso Krsic, office 619-276-5827, cell If you are new to St. George parish and would like to 619-316-2362, or [email protected] become a member, please contact Fr. Bratso Krsic at [email protected] or Natalia Valenti at FUNDRAISING: [email protected] EScrip is fundraising for St. George parish while you IN TIME OF ILLNESS: shop (go to: https://secure.escrip.com/jsp/ supporter/registration/step1b.jsp) “Come, O blessed of my father, inherit the Kingdom There are 6 easy steps to register as a supporter with prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for eScrip. The first step of the registration process is for I was sick and you visited me.” you to identify St. George Serbian Orthodox Church (St. Matthew 25:31-46). as an organization that you would like to support. When a member of our Parish is ill, the immediate Search to see if your group is enrolled with the family of the ill person should contact Fr. Bratso at program. (o) 619-276-5827 or (c) 619-316-2362. It is benefi- Group Name: Saint George Serbian Orthodox Church; cial to both the body and the soul when our priest Group ID: 137331530 prays for us when we are healthy or ill. City where Group is Located: San Diego; Zip:92117 GOOD DEEDS: UPCOMING EVENTS: San Diego teams from our local Orthodox Christian Church Assembly-Sabor, July 13-14, 2019, Chicago, Churches serve dinner to the poor/homeless at God’s Illinois Extended Hand, 1625 Island Ave. SD 92101. Celebration of 800 years of the autocephaly of the Our parish is responsible for preparing and serving SOC and Diocesan Annual Assembly will be held at St. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. we are sched- Sava Church, San Gabriel, Aug. 30- Sept. 1, 2019. uled to serve the meal on May 15, June 19, July 17.

Our thanks and deep appreciation go to Yulia Rezvoukhina, Leo On the Feast Day of Lazarus Saturday our community participat- Grabowski and Daniel De La Vega who are our weekday service ed and witnessed receiving into the Orthodox Church of Daniel chanters. Chanting of St. Andrew of Crete became possible De La Vega III, chrismated as Seraphim. The newly illumined due to their dedication and participation. We hope that next year servant of God Seraphim is son of Daniel De la Vega Jr. and many more parishioners will take part in the First Week of the Holly A. Lumby of San Diego. Seraphim's sponsor is Leo Great and Holy Lent. It was spiritually uplifting experience for Grabowski. Many years to both Seraphim and Leo! everyone.

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 12 † SAINT GEORGE CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2019

MAY 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019 Sunday 5 Church Slava Sunday 8 Sunday School begins Monday 6 St. George the Great Martyr Wednesday Behead. John The Baptist 11 Saturday Nativity () Tuesday 7 Radonitsa 21 Sunday 12 St. Basil, Bishop of Ostrog in Sunday 22 Kolo Slava Montenegro () Friday The Universal Elevation of 27 the Cross of the Lord (Fast)

JUNE 2019 OCTOBER 2019

Thursday 6 Holy Ascension Saturday 15 Memorial Saturday Saturday 12 San Diego Serbian Festival Sunday 16 Pentecost Trinity Sunday Monday 14 Protection of our Most Holy Monday 17 Holy Spirit Day Lady the Mother of God Frid.-Sun. 21 –23 Folkfest Thursday 17 Sts. Stephen and Helena Monday 24 Apostle fast begins Frid.-Sat. 18 -19 Opolo Wine Harvest Festival Sunday 30 Vidovdan Celebration NOVEMBER 2019 JULY 2019 Saturday 2 Demetrius Saturday

Sunday 7 The Nativity of John The Baptist Saturday 2 or 9 Cevap Challenge

Sun.-Sun. 7/14- 8/3 Diocesan Camp, Jackson,CA Sunday 17 Stewardship Sunday

Thursday-Sat. 13-16 Sabor in Chicago Wednesday 27 begins Friday 12 Sts. Peter and Paul.

Venerable Sebastian of San AUGUST 2019 Saturday 30

Sat.– Sunday 3 – 4 50th Anniversary of our Church DECEMBER 2019 Wednesday 14-28 Dormition (Theotokos). Fast. Wednesday 4 The entry of the Most Holy Lady Theotokos into the Monday 19 The Holy Transfiguration temple Frid.-Sun. 31-1 Diocesan Days, St. Sava Parish in 19 St. Gabriel, CA. 800th Anniver- Thursday St. Nicholas the Wonder- sary of Autocephaly of SOC. worker of Myra in Lycia

OrthoPrax® is the most comprehensive Christian Orthodox Calen- Content includes: dar and lectionary available for iOS, allowing you to experience the • Most comprehensive collection of Saints for each day Liturgical cycle of the Ancient(No Faith liturgy according at St. to Georgethe calendar. SOC) • Most comprehensive collection of curated (3,500+) for the Saints and Feast days Deadlines for submitting articles for THE VOICE: • Fasting guidelines February 10th (1st quarter) May 10th (2nd quarter) • Readings August 10th (3rd quarter) November 10th (4th quarter) • Daily prayers.

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The Seven Times Christ Spoke on the Cross

By ST. NIKOLAI VELIMIROVICH. You want to know the meaning of those seven phrases uttered by Christ on the cross.

The first one: ‘Father, forgive A very consoling phrase for sinners said: ‘Behold, your mother’. This them. They don’t know what who, even at the last moment, re- demonstrates the concern which they’re doing’. (Luke 23, 34). pent. God’s mercy is indescribably everyone owes to their parents. great. The Lord was fulfilling His You see, He Who gave people the With these words, Christ showed mission even on the Cross. To His commandment ‘Honour your fa- His mercy to His executioners, last breath, the Lord was saving ther and mother’ (Ex. 20, 12), was whose malice didn’t abate even fulfilling it in His very when He was suffering last moments. on the cross. Besides The third phrase this, the words He cried was: ‘God, my God, aloud from the top of why have you for- the rock of Golgotha saken me?’ (Matt. represent a proven but 27, 46). These words never well-understood show both the strength truth: that those who of human nature and do evil never know the Lord’s fore- what they’re doing. By knowledge. As a man, killing the Righteous He was suffering, but One, in reality they’re underneath human pain killing themselves and, there’s a mystery. You at the same time, are see, only these words actually glorifying Him. would be able to dispel the heresy which was As they’re trampling all later to shake the over God’s law, they Church and which stat- don’t see the millstone ed that the divine na- which is descending ture suffered on the invisibly and will crush cross. But the eternal them. As they’re mock- Son of God became in- ing God, they don’t see carnate as a man so that that their faces have He could be a human person in body and soul, become transformed into the those who indicated even the so that, when the time came, He’d snouts of wild beasts. Imbued as slightest desire to be saved. be able to suffer for people and to they are with evil, they never know The third phrase was: die on their behalf. Because, if the what they’re doing. ‘Woman, behold your divine nature of Christ had suf- fered on the cross, this would The second phrase- ‘Truly, I son’(Jn.19, 26). Christ was mean that His divine nature would speaking to His Holy Mother, who say to you, today you’ll be have died. And that’s something we was standing at the foot of the with me in paradise’ (Luke shouldn’t even contemplate. Pon- cross, also being crucified in her 23, 43) – was addressed to the der as deeply as you can on these robber who repented on the cross. heart. To Saint John the Apostle He

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 14 great and terrible words: ‘God, my my spirit’ (Luke 23, 46). He ryphers and all those other philos- God, why have you forsaken me?’. said this to show that He came ophers who babble on about the transmigration of the souls of dead The fifth phrase: ‘I’m from the Father, not of His own volition, as the Jews accused Him. people into other people, animals, thirsty’ (Jn. 19, 28). His blood plants, stars or metallic ele- was flowing. This is why He was ments. Get rid of all these fanta- thirsty. The sun was beginning to sies and see where the soul of set and struck Him full in the face, the dead Righteous One is head- so, together with all the other tor- ed: ‘Father, into your hands I ments, He was burning up. Natu- commend my spirit’. rally, He was thirsty. But, Lord, were you really thirsty for water, The seventh phrase is ‘It is or for love? Were you thirsty as a finished’ (Jn. 19, 30). This human being or as God, or both? doesn’t mean that life is ended. The Roman centurion gave you a No! It means that His mission, sponge soaked in vinegar. A drop which was concentrated on the of mercy such as you hadn’t expe- salvation of the human race, rienced from other people for the had ended. The divine task of whole of the three hours on the our Messiah had been complet- cross. To some extent, this Roman ed and was sealed with His soldier relieved the sin of Pilate- blood and earthly death. The the sin of the - to- torments were over, but life was wards Christ, even if it was with just beginning. vinegar. This is why, Lord, you would eradicate the Roman em- Next to come was the ma- pire, but would found another. jestic achievement: victo- ry over death; resurrec- The sixth phrase is ‘Father, But these words were also said so tion; glory. into your hands I commend that they’d be heard by the Bud- dhists, the Pythagorans, the apoc-

A Paschal Homily of Blessed Justin of Chelije Our father, Archimandrite Justin Popovich (1894-1979) was a theologian, a champion, a writer, a critic of the pragmatic church life, a philosopher. Sentenced to Immortality man immortal. The crucified God is death. When man lives by faith in Risen and has killed death. Death is the Risen God-Man, he lives above Man sentenced God to death; by His no more. Immortality has surround- death, out of its reach; it is a foot- Resurrection, He sentenced man to ed man and all the world. stool for his feet: immortality. In return for a beating, “O Death, where is thy sting? O He gives an embrace; for abuse, a By the Resurrection of the God-Man, Hades, where is thy victory?” (I Cor. blessing; for death, immortality. human nature has been led irrevers- 15:55). Man never showed so much hate for ibly onto the path of immortality, God as when he crucified Him; and and has become dreadful to death When a man belonging to Christ God never showed more love for itself. For before the Resurrection of dies, he simply sets aside his body man than when He arose. Man even Christ, death was dreadful to man, like clothing, in which he will again wanted to reduce God to a mortal, but after the Resurrection of Christ, be vested on the day of Dread Judge- but God by His Resurrection made man has become more dreadful to ment. (continued on p. 18)

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GREAT AND HOLY PASCHA - EASTER - 2019

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † Spring THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSECRATION OF ST. GEORGE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH August 3-4, 2019 Continued from p.15

Before the Resurrection of the God sus Christ is the One True God and the Risen Christ, for then he is -Man, death was the second nature Lord in all the world. born to life eternal, whereas a of man: life first, death second. But mother bears children for death, by His Resurrection, the Lord has Because of the Resurrection of for the grave. The Resurrection of changed everything: immortality Christ, because of His victory over Christ is the mother of us all, all has become the second nature of death, men have become, continue Christians, the mother of immor- man, it has become nat- tals. By faith in the Res- ural for man; and death urrection, man is born – unnatural. As before anew, born for eternity. the Resurrection of “That is impossible!” Christ, it was natural for says the skeptic. But you men to be mortal, so af- listen to what the Risen ter the Resurrection of God-Man says: Christ, it was natural for “All things are possible to men to be immortal. him that be- lieveth!” (Mark 9:23). By sin, man became mortal and transient; by The believer is he who the Resurrection of the lives, with all his heart, God-Man, he became with all his soul, with all immortal and perpetual. his being, according to In this is the power, the the Gospel of the Risen might, the all- Lord Jesus. mightiness of the Resur- Faith is our victory, by rection of Christ. With- which we conquer out it, there would have death; faith in the Risen been no . Of Lord Jesus. Death, where all miracles, this is the is your sting? The sting greatest miracle. All of death is sin. The Lord other miracles have it as “has removed the sting their source and lead to of death.” Death is a ser- it. From it grow faith, pent; sin is its fangs. By love, hope, prayer, and sin, death puts its poison love for God. Behold: into the soul and into the the fugitive disciples, having run to become, and will continue be- body of man. The more sins a man away from Jesus when He died, coming Christians. The entire his- has, the more bites, through which return to Him because He is risen. tory of Christianity is nothing oth- death puts its poison in him. Behold: the Centurion confessed er than the history of a unique Christ as the Son of God when he miracle, namely, the Resurrection When a wasp stings a man, he uses saw the Resurrection from the of Christ, which is unbrokenly all his strength to remove the grave. Behold: all the first Chris- threaded through the hearts of sting. But when sin wounds him, tians became Christian because Christians form one day to the this sting of death, what should be the Lord Jesus is risen, because next, from year to year, across the done? One must call upon the Ris- death was vanquished. This is centuries, until the Dread Judg- en Lord Jesus in faith and prayer, what no other faith has; this is ment. that He may remove the sting of what lifts the Lord Christ above all death from the soul. He, in His other gods and men; this is what, Man is born, in fact, not when his great loving-kindness, will do this, in the most undoubted manner, mother bring him into the world, for He is overflowing with mercy shows and demonstrates that Je- but when he comes to believe in and love. When many wasps attack

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 18 attack a man’s body and wound it Christianity is an appeal: Fight with Man. He related to us all the mystery with many stings, that man is poi- death until the last breath, fight until of salvation by His Resurrection. To soned and dies. The same happens a final victory has been reached. Eve- be saved means to assure our body with a man’s soul, when many sins ry sin is a desertion; every passion is and soul of immortality and life eter- wound it with their stings: it is poi- a retreat; every vice is a defeat. nal. How do we attain this? By no soned and dies a death with no res- other way than by a theanthropic urrection. One need not be surprised that life, a new life, a life in the Risen Christians also die bodily. This is be- Lord, in and by the Lord’s Resurrec- Conquering sin in himself through cause the death of the body is sow- tion. Christ, man overcomes death. If you ing. The mortal body is sown, says have lived the day without vanquish- the Apostle Paul, and it grows, and is For us Christians, our life on earth is ing a single sin of yours, know that raised in an immortal body (I Corin- a school in which we learn how to you have become deadened. Van- thians 15:42-44). The body dis- assure ourselves of resurrection and quish one, two, or three of your sins, solves, like a sown seed, that the Ho- life eternal. For what use is this life if and behold: you have become young- ly Spirit may quicken and perfect it. we cannot acquire by it life eternal? er than the youth which does not If the Lord Christ had not been risen But, in order to be resurrected with age, young in immortality and eterni- in body, what use would it have for the Lord Christ, man must first suffer ty. Never forget that to believe in the Him? He would not have saved the with Him, and live His life as his own. Resurrection of the Lord Christ entire man. If His body did not rise, If he does this, then on Pascha he can means to carry out a continuous then why was He incarnate? say with Saint Gregory the Theologi- fight with sins, with evil, with death. an: Why did He take on Himself flesh, “Yesterday I was crucified with Him, If a man fights with sins and pas- if He gave it nothing of His Divini- today I live with Him; yesterday I was sions, this demonstrates that he in- ty? buried with Him, today I rise with deed believes in the Risen Lord; if Him” ( 2, Ode 3, Matins, the fights with them, he fights for life If Christ is not risen, then why be- Pascha). eternal. If he does not fight, his faith lieve in Him? To be honest, I would is in vain. If man’s faith is not a fight never have believed in Him had He Christ’s Four Gospels are summed for immortality and eternity, than not risen and had not therefore van- up in only four words. They are: tell me, what is it? If faith in Christ quished death. Our greatest enemy “Christ is Risen! Indeed He is ris- does not bring us to resurrection and was killed and we were given im- en!” life eternal, than what use is it to us? mortality. Without this, our world is If Christ is not risen, that meant that a noisy display of revolting stupidity In each of these words is a Gospel, neither sin nor death has been van- and despair, for neither in Heaven and in the Four Gospels is all the quished, than why believe in Christ? nor under Heaven is there a greater meaning of all God’s world, visible stupidity than this world without the and invisible. When all knowledge For the one who by faith in the Risen Resurrection; and there is not a and all the thoughts of men are con- Lord fights with each of his sins greater despair than this life without centrated in the cry of the Paschal there will be affirmed in him gradu- immortality. There is no being in a salutation, “Christ is Risen!”, then ally the feeling that Christ is indeed single world more miserable than immortal joy embraces all beings risen, has indeed vanquished the man who does not believe in the res- and in joy responds: “Indeed He is sting of sin, has indeed vanquished urrection of the dead. It would have risen!” death on all the fronts of combat. Sin been better for such a man never to gradually diminishes the soul in have been born. St. Justin man, driving it into death, transform- Popovich ing it from immortality to mortality, In our human world, death is the from incorruption to corruption. The greatest torment and inhumane hor- more the sins, the more the mortal ror. Freedom from this torment and man. If man does not feel immortali- horror is salvation. Such a salvation ty in himself, know that he is in sins, was given the race of man by the in bad thoughts, in languid feelings. Vanquisher of death – the Risen God-

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St. George Church Restoration Project

Dear beloved St. George family, and polish the entire interior mosa- meeting with contractors, managing ic. This project was quite glorious to onsite progress and making sure We have embarked on a most witness, as the mosaic iconography everything gets done as perfectly as blessed journey to restore and re- came alive while we removed many possible. Also, we thank Dr. Robert pair the house of the Lord, a treas- years of dust and dirt. Having rent- Trifunovic and the Dopudja, LLC ured sanctuary in the heart of San ed two scissor lifts, we were able to Board for their advice and timely Diego. We have experienced over reach the highest part of the large payment of contractors. To the St. the years during the San Diego Ser- dome at 50 feet. All who were pre- George Parish Council and our Stew- bian Festival such sincere awe when sent had great joy in their hearts to ardship for approving this im- visitors come inside and see the glo- see such beauty and reflect on the portant work. To our many volun- rious mosaic work, the detail and incredible complexity of the crafts- teers who spent two days (3/23 & especially the hospitality. After 50 manship. 3/30) cleaning the mosaic and litur- years of continued inspiration, the gical items. Finally to all who have building has succumbed to the ele- The last project for the Phase 1 plan been praying that we do that which ments and needs our loving atten- is to install a completely new roof. is pleasing to God and His Holy tion. This so that we may bring it The integrity of the roof is of utmost Church. back to its original condition, enabling our community to These vital repairs come at a continue to spread the Good price, this is no mystery, and News of the Gospel of our we are thankful to God for Lord Jesus Christ for many providing a means to get years to come. started. However, we still need your generous help! If Thanks be to God, we are you would like to sponsor a making such inspired pro- particular project, please gress! We have completed don’t hesitate to let us know the restoration of all three as soon as possible! For in- domes and repaired the stance, the replacement of damaged mosaic (large por- the doors, the refinishing of tion fell down years ago the floors, painting the from a roof leak) in the stair- Church, remodeling the Al- well to the choir loft. To un- Dome cleaning and beautification. tar side rooms or choir loft derstand the magnitude of closet, or something else, we the required repairs, the large dome importance in order to protect the have a long list. There is plenty of alone had some 200 missing tiles priceless mosaic iconography. The opportunity to help financially, and the large dome cross was rusted new roof will have a 25-year war- which will speed up the restoration at the base and had a hole in the ranty; regular maintenance checks process. Please see Fr. Bratso, Pro- metal. There were also large cracks built in, and will have the latest tech- todeacon Paul Germain and/or Kate in the grout, split tiles and all the nology available. We hope to start Thickstun for more details. caulking along the bottom of the the Phase 2 projects in October of domes was in poor shape. If these this year. The focus will be replace- Below are some before and after pic- issues were not addressed, water ment of the concrete walkways, in- tures, which we hope, you enjoy re- could have penetrated inside, dam- stallation of a new heating/air con- flecting on. aging large portions of the interior ditioning system and possibly new mosaic. outside doors. Christ is Risen! Glory to our Risen Lord for all things! Thanks to many volunteers, we Special thanks go to our beloved Fr. were also able to completely clean Bratso for spending countless hours Protodeacon Paul Germain

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 20 Mosaic Repair

Dome Repair

Mosaic Cleaning

International (American, Serbian, Russian, Ukrainian and Belorussian) Crew

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“AND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN....” “I ascend unto My Father and your Father, and to My God, and Your God” (John 20:17).

In these words the Risen Christ that Jesus was dead and rested in And therefore, on not finding the described to Mary Magdalene the the grave, and they went to the body, Mary Magdalene was sor- mystery of His Resurrection. She place “where He was laid,” with rowful and complained: “They had to carry this mysterious mes- the spices they had prepared, “that have taken away my Lord, and I sage to His dis- know not where ciples, “as they they have laid mourned and Him” (John 20:13). wept” (Mark On hearing the 16:10). The dis- good news from ciples listened the angel, the to these glad women fled from tidings with fear the sepulchre in and amazement, fear and trembling: with doubt and “Neither said they mistrust. It was anything to any not Thomas man, for they were alone who afraid” (Mark doubted among 16:8). And when the Eleven. On they spoke no one the contrary, it believed them, in appears that on- the same way as ly one of the no one had be- Eleven did not lieved Mary, who doubt—Saint saw the Lord, or John, the disci- the disciples as ple “whom Jesus they walked on loved.” He alone their way into the grasped the country, (Mark mystery of the 16:13), and who empty tomb at recognized Him in once: “and he the breaking of saw, and be- bread. “And after- lieved” (John ward He appeared 20:8). Even Pe- unto the Eleven as ter left the sep- they sat at the table ulcher in amaze- and upbraided them ment, with their unbelief and hardness of “wondering at heart, because they that which was come to they might come and anoint Him.” believed not them who had seen Him pass” (Luke 24:12). They had but one thought: “Who after He was risen” (Mark 16:10- The disciples did not expect the shall roll away the stone from the 14). door of the sepulcher for Resurrection. The women did not, From whence comes this either. They were quite certain us?” (Mark 16:1-3; Luke 24:1).

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 22 “hardness of heart” and hesitation? late—so that He might make their corruption—returned to the previ- Why were their eyes so “holden,” crime obvious and smite their ous mode of life. But Christ arose why were the disciples so much pride. Instead, He sends His disci- for ever, unto eternity. He arose in afraid of the news, and why did the ples away to remote Galilee and a body of glory, immortal and in- Easter joy so slowly, and with such appears to them there. Even much corruptible. He arose, never to die, difficulty, enter the Apostles’ earlier the disciples wondered, for “He clothed the mortal in the hearts? Did not they, who were “How is it that Thou wilt manifest splendor of incorruption.” His glo- with Him from the beginning, Thyself unto us, and not unto the rified Body was already exempt “from the baptism of John,” see all world?” (John 14:22). Their won- from the fleshly order of existence. the signs of power which He per- der continues, and even on the day “It is sown in corruption, it is formed before the face of the of His glorious Ascension the Apos- raised in incorruption. It is sown in whole people? The lame walked, tles question the Lord, “Lord, wilt dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is the blind saw, the dead were Thou at this time restore again the sown in weakness, it is raised in raised, and all infirmities were kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). power. It is sown a natural body, it healed. Did they not behold, only a They still did not comprehend the is raised a spiritual body” (I Cor. week earlier, how He raised by His meaning of His Resurrection, they 15:42-44). word Lazarus from the dead, who did not understand what it meant This mysterious transformation of had already been in the grave for that He was “ascending” to the Fa- human bodies, of which Saint Paul four days? Why then was it so ther. Their eyes were opened but was speaking in the case of our strange to them that the Master later, when “the promise of the Fa- Lord, had been accomplished in had arisen Himself? How was it ther” had been fulfilled. three days. Christ’s work on earth that they came to forget that which In the Ascension resides was accomplished. He had suf- the Lord used to tell them on many fered, was dead and buried, and occasions, that after suffering and the meaning and the full- now rose to a higher mode of exist- death He would arise on the third ness of Christ’s Resurrec- ence. By His Resurrection He abol- day? tion. ished and destroyed death, abol- The mystery of the Apostles’ ished the law of corruption, “and “unbelief” is partly disclosed in the The Lord did not rise in order to raised with Himself the whole race narrative of the Gospel: “But we return again to the fleshly order of of Adam.” Christ has risen, and trusted that it had been He which life, so as to live again and com- now “no dead are left in the should have redeemed Israel,” with mune with the disciples and the grave” (cf. The Easter Sermon of disillusionment and complaint said multitudes by means of preaching Saint John Chrysostom). And now the two disciples to their mysteri- and miracles. Now he does not He ascends to the Father, yet He ous Companion on the way to Em- even stay with them, but only does not “go away,” but abides maus (Luke 24:21). They meant: “appears” to them during the forty with the faithful for ever (cf. The He was betrayed, condemned to days, from time to time, and always of Ascension). For He death and crucified. The news of in a miraculous and mysterious raises the very earth with Him to the Resurrection brought by the manner. “He was not always with heaven, and even higher than any women only “astonished” them. them now, as He was before the heaven. God’s power, in the phrase They still wait for an earthly tri- Resurrection,” comments Saint of Saint John Chrysostom, umph, for an exernal victory. The John Chrysostom. “He came and “manifests itself not only in the same temptation possesses their again disappeared, thus leading Resurrection, but in something hearts, which first prevented them them on to higher conceptions. He much stronger.” For “He was re- from accepting “the preaching of no longer permitted them to con- ceived up into heaven, and sat on the Cross” and made them argue tinue in their former relationship the right hand of God” (Mark every time the Saviour tried to re- toward Him, but took effectual 16:19). veal His mystery to them. “Ought measures to secure these two ob- not Christ to have suffered these jects: That the fact of His Resurrec- And with Christ, man’s things and to enter into His glo- tion should be believed, and that nature ascends also. ry?” (Luke 24:26). It was still diffi- He Himself should be ever after cult to understand this. apprehended to be greater than “We who seemed unworthy of the man.” There was something new earth, are now raised to heaven,” He had the power to arise, why did and unusual in His person (cf. John says Saint John Chrysostom. “We He allow what that had happened 21:1-14). who were unworthy of earthly do- to take place at all? Why did He minion have been raised to the take upon Himself disgrace, blas- As Saint John Chrysostom says, “It Kingdom on high, have ascended phemy and wounds? In the eyes of was not an open presence, but a higher than heaven, have came to all Jerusalem, amidst the vast certain testimony of the fact that occupy the King’s throne, and the crowds assembled for the Great He was present.” That is why the same nature from which the angels Feast, He was condemned and suf- disciples were confused and fright- guarded Paradise, stopped not un- fered a shameful death. And now ened. Christ arose not in the same til it ascended to the throne of the He enters not into the Holy City, way as those who were restored to Lord.” By His Ascension the Lord neither to the people which beheld life before Him. Theirs was a resur- not only opened to man the en- His shame and death, nor to the rection for a time, and they re- trance to heaven, not only ap- High Priests and elders, nor to Pi- turned to life in the same body, peared before the face of God on which was subject to death and

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Comforter will not come unto you” (John 16:7). The gifts of the Spirit are “gifts of recon- ciliation,” a seal of an accom- plished salva- tion and of the ultimate reun- ion of the world with God. And this was accom- plished only in the Ascension. “And one saw miracles follow miracles,” says Saint John Chrysostom, “ten days prior to this our na- ture ascended to the King’s throne, while today the Holy Ghost has de- scended on to our nature.” The our behalf and for our sake, but reinstated creation in its former joy of the Ascension lies in the likewise “transferred man” to the order—He is the King of Glory.” promise of the Spirit. “Thou didst high places. “He honored them He And the heavenly doors are give joy to Thy disciples by a loved by putting them close to the opened: “Open, Oh heavenly gates, promise of the Holy Spirit.” The Father.” God quickened and raised and receive God in the flesh.” It is victory of Christ is wrought in us us together with Christ, as Saint an open allusion to Psalms 24:7- by the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul says, “and made us sit togeth- 10, now prophetically interpreted. “On high is His body, here below er in heavenly places in Christ Je- “Lift up your heads, Oh ye gates, with us is His Spirit. And so we sus” (Ephes. 2:6). Heaven received and be lifted up, ye everlasting have His token on high, that is His the inhabitants of the earth. “The doors, and the King of Glory shall body, which He received from us, First fruits of them that slept” sits come in. Who is this King of glory? and here below we have His Spirit now on high, and in Him all crea- The Lord strong and mighty....” with us. Heaven received the Holy tion is summed up and bound to- Saint Chrysostom says, “Now the Body, and the earth accepted the gether. “The earth rejoices in mys- angels have received that for Holy Spirit. Christ came and sent tery, and the heavens are filled which they have long waited, the the Spirit. He ascended, and with with joy.” archangels see that for which they Him our body ascended al- “The terrible ascent....” Terror- have long thirsted. They have seen so” (Saint John Chrysostom). The stricken and trembling stand the our nature shining on the King’s revelation of the Holy Trinity was angelic hosts, contemplating the throne, glistening with glory and completed. Now the Spirit Com- Ascension of Christ. And trembling eternal beauty.... Therefore they forter is poured forth on all flesh. they ask each other, “What is this descend in order to see the unusu- “Hence comes foreknowledge of vision? One who is man in appear- al and marvelous vision: Man ap- the future, understanding of mys- ance ascends in His body higher pearing in heaven.” teries, apprehension of what is than the heavens, as God.” The Ascension is the to- hidden, distribution of good gifts, the heavenly citizenship, a place in Thus the Office for the Feast of the ken of Pentecost, the the chorus of angels, joy without Ascension depicts the mystery in a sign of its coming, “The end, abiding in God, the being poetical language. As on the day of Lord has ascended to heaven and made like to God, and, highest of Christ’s Nativity the earth was will send the Comforter to the all, the being made God!” (Saint astonished on beholding God in world” Basil, On the Holy Spirit, IX). Be- the flesh, so now the Heavens do ginning with the Apostles, and tremble and cry out. “The Lord of For the Holy Spirit was not yet in through communion with them— Hosts, Who reigns over all, Who is the world, until Jesus was glori- by an unbroken succession— Himself the head of all, Who is fied. And the Lord Himself told the Grace is spread to all believers. preeminent in all things, Who has disciples, “If I go not away, the Through renewal and glorification

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 24 in the Ascended Christ, man’s na- of men is to follow Christ, even in 3:21). Salvation will be consum- ture became receptive of the spirit. His ultimate exaltation, “to follow mated in the Glory. “Conceive to “And unto the world He gives in His train.” Within the Church, yourself the throne, the royal quickening forces through His hu- through an acquisition of the Spirit throne, conceive the immensity of man body,” says Bishop Theopha- in the fellowship of , the privilege. This, at least if we nes. “He holds it completely in the Ascension continues still, and chose, might more avail to startle Himself and penetrates it with His will continue until the measure is us, yea, even than hell itself” (Saint strength, out of Himself; and He full. “Only then shall the Head be John Chrysostom). likewise draws the angels to Him- filled up, when the body is ren- self through the spirit of man, giv- dered perfect, when we are knit We should tremble more at ing them space for action and thus together and united,” concludes the thought of that abundant Glory making them blessed.” All this is Saint John Chrysostom. which is appointed unto the re- done through the Church, which is deemed, than at the thought of the “the Body of Christ;” that is, His The Ascension is a sign eternal darkness. “Think near “fullness” (Ephesians 1:23). “The and token of the Second Whom Thy Head is seated....” Or Church is the fulfillment of Christ,” rather, Who is the Head. In very continues Bishop Theophanes, Coming. “This same Jesus, truth, “wondrous and terrible is “perhaps in the same way as the which is taken up from you into Thy divine ascension from the tree is the fulfillment of the seed. heaven, shall so come in like man- mountain, O Giver of Life.” A terri- That which is contained in the seed ner as ye have seen Him go into ble and wondrous height is the heaven” (Acts 1:11). King’s throne. In face of this height in a contracted form receives its all flesh stands silent, in awe and development in the tree.” trembling. “He has Himself de- The very existence of the The mystery of God’s Provi- scended to the lowest depths of dence will be accomplished in the humiliation, and raised up man to Church is the fruit of the Return of the Risen Lord. In the the height of exaltation.” Ascension. It is in the Church fulfillment of time, Christ’s kingly that man’s nature is truly ascended power will be revealed and spread What then should we do? “If thou to the Divine heights. “And gave over the whole of faithful mankind. art the body of Christ, bear the Him to be Head over all Christ bequeathes the Kingdom to Cross, for He bore it” (Saint John things” (Ephesians 1:22). Saint the whole of the faithful. “And I ap- Chrysostom). John Chrysostom comments: point unto you a Kingdom as My “With the power of Thy Cross, Oh “Amazing! Look again, whither He Father has appointed unto me. Christ, establish my thoughts, so has raised the Church. As though That ye may eat and drink at My that I may sing and glorify Thy sav- He were lifting it up by some en- table in My Kingdom, and sit on ing Ascension.” gine, He has raised it up to a vast thrones judging the twelve tribes height, and set it on yonder throne; of Israel” (Luke 22:29-30). Those for where the Head is, there is the who followed Him faithfully will sit V. Rev. George Florovsky body also. There is no interval of with Him on their thrones on the Originally published in separation between the Head and day of His coming. “To him that Saint ’s the body; for were there a separa- overcomes will I grant to sit with Seminary Quarterly, tion, then would the one no longer Me in My throne, even as I also Vol. 2 # 3, 1954. be a body, nor would the other any overcame, and am set down with longer be a Head.” The whole race My Father in His throne” (Rev. 4275 Executive Square, Suite 800. La Jolla, CA Call Nemanja Selezan 858-610-6463

858-610-6463

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NEWS FROM KOLO—THE CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS

Our Sisters continue the ministry of Myrrhbearing women in our parish. Indeed, an inspiration to all. We love and appreciate you very much!

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 26 MARCH 17-18, 2004. DESTRUCTION OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX

CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

More than 4.100 have been left crowds: ethnic Albanian crowds at- tent camps on KFOR military bases, homeless, at least 8 Serbs died and around tacked the Serbian Orthodox Church and even metal trucking containers. 30 churches have been either completely in Djakovica for hours, ultimately The security organizations in destroyed or seriously damaged by Kosovo driving out five elderly Serb women Kosovo-KFOR, UNMIK international Albanian mob. who were the last remaining Serbs in police, and the KPS-failed catastrophi- All these barbarous acts by the Djakovica, from a pre-war population cally in their mandate to protect mi- of more than 3,000. Albanian extremists have occurred in nority communities during the the presence of UN and the Inter- March 2004 violence. In numer- national Peace Forces (KFOR), ous cases, minorities under attack not in the time of war but of were left entirely unprotected and peace. at the mercy of the rioters. The fail- ure of UNMIK international police On March 17 and 18, and KFOR to effectively respond to 2004, violent rioting by ethnic the violence left much of the securi- Albanians took place throughout ty in the hands of the Kosovo Police Kosovo. For nearly forty-eight Service (KPS). The locally recruited hours, the security structures in KPS, many of them only recently Kosovo-the NATO-led Kosovo trained, were poorly equipped to Force (KFOR), the international deal with the violence. Some KPS U.N. (UNMIK) police, and the lo- officers showed a clear bias by ar- cally recruited Kosovo Police resting only Serbs and other minor- ities who were defending their Service (KPS)-almost completely homes, while ignoring the criminal lost control, as at least thirty- behavior of ethnic Albanians occur- three major riots broke out ring in front of their eyes. In a few across Kosovo, involving an esti- cases, KPS officers were accused of mated 51,000 participants. taking an active part in the burning of minority homes. In many of the communi- The international commu- ties affected by violence, in at- nity appeared to be in absolute de- tacks both spontaneous and or- The March violence forced out nial about its own failures in Kosovo. ganized, every single Serb, Roma, or the entire Serb population from doz- While international actors had been Askaeli home was burned. In the vil- ens of locations-including the capital universally-and accurately-critical of lage of Svinjare/Frasher, all 137 Serb Pristina-and equally affected Roma the failures of the Kosovo Albanian homes were burned, but ethnic Alba- and Ashkali communities. After two leadership during and after the crisis, nian homes were left untouched. In the dismal performance of the inter- days of rioting, at least 550 homes and nearby Vucitrn/Vushtrii, the ethnic national community escaped similar twenty-seven Orthodox churches and Albanian crowd attacked the Ashkali critical scrutiny. Instead, the leader- monasteries were burned, leaving ap- community, burning sixty-nine Ash- ship of KFOR and UNMIK continued proximately 4,100 Serbs, Roma, Ash- kali homes. In Kosovo Polje/Fushe with "business as usual," rather than kali, and other non-Albanian minori- Kosove, one Serb was beaten to death, putting in place the reforms needed to ties homeless. Some 2,000 persons and over one hundred Serb and Roma prevent a recurrence of mass violence remained displaced months later, liv- -and a renewed collapse of the securi- homes were burned, as well as the ing in crowded and unsanitary condi- ty institutions in the future. post office, the Serbian Orthodox tions-including in unheated and unfin- Church, the Serbian school, and the ished apartments, crowded schools, From Failure to Protect by Peter Bouckaert, Serbian hospital. Even the tiniest Serb senior researcher for emergencies at presences were a target for the hostile Human Rights Watch.

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MORAVA NEWS by Cristina Dukovich

Dear Friends and Supporters, nix in May for their “Pholkfest” and have taken place for many of our are always excited to be a part of Av- dancers. One of the amazing things Morava had the pleasure of serving ala’s Kolofest at Sv. Petka. about folklore is that it turns friend- and performing for the SNF Golf ships into one big extended family Tournament banquet in February Mark your calendars!!! that supports each other. It builds hosted by our parish. It was great to nd Morava’s 32 Annual Summer Folkfest foundations in the parish community meet all the out of town guests that Saturday, June 22nd at 6 pm that last a lifetime. were at our church, experiencing the St George Serbian Orthodox Church wonderful welcoming community of We are always looking for new danc- St George. The concert will begin at 6pm and ers ranging from young kids to dinner is served before and after the adults. If you or anyone you know is Morava continued with a full folklore show starting at 4pm. We hope to see interested in joining Morava, please schedule with a performance at St you all and appreciate our parish’s contact me for a member application. Steven’s Kolobration in Alhambra continued support. Folklore, friend- and a performance with the Bulgari- ship, great food, kolo, lively music, Morava looks forward to the rest of an Folklore Dance Ensemble Xo- and fantastic drinks…… what more our 2018-2019 season and dancing rotroptzi in San Diego. The dancers of could you ask for! for all of you! Morava also volunteered their time Tople pozdrave, to clean the church mosaics and altar It has been a very busy season for pieces. It was great to see the church most of the Morava dancers in not Cristina “Duki” Dukovich community come together and Mora- only their folklore schedules, but per- Director, Morava Folklore Ensemble va is always happy to help. We are sonal ones as well! Many important [email protected] looking forward to traveling to Phoe- life events are about to take place or

THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 28 WISH LIST FOR ST. GEORGE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH St. George’s Wish List is a list of items above and beyond our annually budgeted items that our various Ministries “wish” for to further God’s work. If you wish to gift an item on the list please contact Fr. Bratso Krsic ([email protected], (o) 619-276- 5827, (c) 619-316-2362) or Kate Thickstun, president of the Parish Council/Church Board ([email protected]). Building and Grounds Thickstun, our choir direc- parish and also those out- General donations to the Capi- tor and all choir members side of our community (e.g. tal Campaign “Continuing eagerly welcome everyone IOCC, Kosovo and Metohija our Legacy” to help main- to join them; Our choir and other countries and tain and continue the reno- functions to its fullest po- areas with greatest need). vation of the church’s facili- tential when all choir mem- Equipment & Tools ties and grounds (finishing bers sense their place with- in the Church as a vocation Used or new car patio cover, A/C in the hall to be taken seriously). and church, heating in the Tool set ($200) church and hall, expansion Children’s Ministry Gas blower ($300) of the hall for library, con- Sunday School Teachers ference room, classrooms, iPad ($850) etc.) (especially for high school students; young adult min- Personnel Painting of the fence around istry) Office volunteers our church property. Donations to help fund Sunday Improvement of our landscape School Ministry programs Outreach committee (field trips, retreats, camps, Undesignated Gifts Upgrading and/or adding addi- etc.) and renovation of tional outside lighting on classrooms. Undesignated monetary gifts to Church building the Church’s work - both large and Repairing the playground for Fellowship & Mission small - may be made at any time. children. Donations of food for weekly The Parish Council/Church Board Bible Study will put such gifts to use in the are- General cleanup and repair as of greatest need. (there is always something Donations for mission (e.g. that needs to be repaired or “Circle of 100”) Note: This certainly is not an ex- cleaned). haustive list of what is needed; Good Samaritan Fund therefore, suggestions are always Choir Donations to this fund will help welcome. New choir members (Kate those in need in our own Thank you!

2020 Pilgrimage to Alaska and Russia 2021 Pilgrimage to Holy Land or Greece

Minimum 10 participants required. For more information contact Father Bratso at 619-316-2362.

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Advertise BIBLE STUDY: ACTS OF THE APOSTLES Meet Fr. BRATSO each Wednesday at 7 pm. in the VOICE OF ST. GEORGE Social Hall ADVERTSIING RATES

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THE VOICE OF ST. GEORGE † SpringSummer 2019 30

Church Office Staff & Volunteers ______PARISH PRIEST Protopresbyter Bratislav Bratso Krsic Email: [email protected] PARISH Protodeacon Paul Germain CHURCH BOARD PRESIDENT Kathryn Thickstun VICE-PRESIDENTS Velimir Jovanovic & Kira Anthofer TREASURER: Milos Belcevic SECRETARY: Reader Nicholas Schrandt MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Maja Topalovic, Vojkan Popovic, Vladimir Kezic, Simona Trifunovic, Andrew Marin, Lisa Krsic STEWARDSHIP CHAIRMAN Maja Topalovic AUDITING BOARD Miro Copic,Vesna Jovanovic, Dusanka Klacar TUTORS/VESTRYMEN Milos Lukic, George Skaljac, Nebojsa Rajkovic, Miro Copic, Radovan Borovic, Constantine Criss Dizick S.S.S. St. GEORGE CHOIR Velimir Jovanovic, President Kathryn Thickstun, Director CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS Jadranka Bozinovska, Sladana Melos MORAVA FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE Cristina Dukovich PARISH OFFICE SECRETARY Natalia Valenti

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Troparion — Tone 4

O Christ God, You have ascended in Glory, / Granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. / Through the blessing they were assured / That You are the Son of God, / The Redeemer of the world!