Стаза Православља THE PATH OF ORTHODOXY THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA VOLUME 46 MARCH 2011 NO. 3 EASTERN DIOCESE ASSEMBLY MEETS IN CLEARWATER The Annual Diocesan Assembly conciliar assemblies such as this of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of one, gathered around the bishop Eastern America met at St. George as the archpastor and image of Church in Clearwater, Florida Febru- Christ to his fl ock. ary 18-19 under the presidency of His His Grace remarked on the Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan. The As- success of the camp programs in sembly began in the beautiful church the Diocese. Over 500 children at 6:00 PM Friday with the service of participated in the very suc- the Invocation of the Holy Spirit. The cessful summer camp programs service prayed that the work of the As- at Shadeland and St. Mark’s sembly would be guided and blessed in Sheffi eld, and in the winter by the Holy Spirit for the upbuilding camp programs at Shadeland and welfare of Christ’s Holy Church and in Florida. The Shadeland in that part of the world. facilities were also used again Following a welcoming dinner this year for the annual diocesan and a heartfelt greeting by the host clergy symposium. He expressed pastor, Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Jo- his joy at the completion of the van Todorovic, the Assembly began its Dormition church at Shadeland, work by hearing that there were pres- and in the wonderful participa- ent, in addition to His Grace Bishop Dr. tion of so many from throughout Mitrophan, 29 priests, 11 congregation the Diocese in the consecration. presidents, 21 delegates, 1 Kolo rep- His Grace also congratulated the resentative, 3 Council members and 6 many congregations which are observers, with the great majority of undertaking or completing fres- congregations represented. coes, building projects, and other The Assembly then heard the church improvements. report of His Grace Bishop Dr Mitro- Clergy and delegates from throughout the Eastern American Diocese gathered at St. George Church At the same time, he empha- phan. His Grace recalled that this was in Clearwater, FL February 18-19 for the annual Diocesan Assembly. sized that the most important work his 20th Assembly as Bishop of Eastern of the Church is always the salva- America, and he thanked God and the faithful of the Dio- also taken on the responsibility of Dean of the Theological tion of souls and the deepening of the spiritual life in Christ. cese for whatever successes have been achieved. Looking School in Libertyville. He mentioned that some parishes seem to emphasize social back at the past year, he noted the consecration of the new Bishop Mitrophan reported that he has visited the major- life, fi nances and property at the expense of—and sometimes or renovated churches of St. Basil of Ostrog in Greensboro, ity of parishes in the Diocese during the past year, and soon in direct confl ict with—the spiritual values, teachings and NC; Dormition of the Theotokos at St. Sava Monastery in plans to visit the diocesan parishes in South America. He way of life of the Church of Christ. In such cases we must be Shadeland, PA; and of the parish of the Synaxis of Serbian emphasized the importance and need for the bishop to visit willing to see our errors and change our ways for the good Saints in Portland, Maine. his parishes regularly as basic to his calling as archpastor. of the parish and the salvation of our souls. He stressed that His Grace also brought to mind his predecessor Met- He also recalled that Christ puts tremendous emphasis on all this should not be taken to indicate that the status of the ropolitan Christopher of blessed memory, who fell asleep the importance of unity in the one Body of His Church, and Diocese is poor. On the contrary, he said, it is good, but we in the Lord in August. He noted that as a consequence has that this unity is realized both in the Holy Eucharist and in continued on p. 5 WELCOME, GROWING WESTERN DIOCESE YOUR HOLINESS! ASSEMBLES AT SAN FRANCISCO CATHEDRAL Following the ancient Tradi- tion of the Holy Orthodox Church and in the spirit of Her conciliar nature, and in accordance with Articles of the Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, His Grace Bishop Maxim summoned the Annual Assembly of the Western American Diocese for February 18, 2011, at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, San Francisco, Cali- fornia. The clergy seminar and meet- ing and the Diocesan Circle of Serbian Sisters (KSS) meeting took place a day earlier. The keynote speaker for both days was Archimandrite Meletios Webber, abbot of the monastery of As this issue of the Path of Orthodoxy was St. John of San Francisco, Man- Bishop Maxim gives his Episcopal report and address during the Annual Assembly being readied for press, His Holiness Serbian ton, California. Father Meletios greeting “each one of you warmly with a sacred embrace, exclaiming with the Patriarch IRINEJ was visiting the Metropolita- spoke on the topic of “Therapy Psalmist: “How wonderful and sweet it is for brethren to dwell in the same place.” nate of Libertyville and Chicago in his capacity and Eucharist – The Church as a as its administrator, and was also visiting other Place of Freedom and Love”. Born in London, he received Bread and Water, Wine and Oil (Conciliar Press 2007). parishes in the area of the New Gracanica-Mid- his Masters degree in Theology from Oxford University, In his talk Father Meletios called the faithful to a fuller western American Diocese. The photo above England and the Thessalonica School of Theology, Greece. participation in the Liturgy, saying that if we would only ‘let He also holds an E.D.D. (doctorate) in Psychotherapy from go of worldly cares’ to participate fully in this most important shows His Holiness at Holy Resurrection Ca- the University of Montana, Missoula. thedral in Chicago. A fuller report will appear service of our Holy Orthodox Church, we would transform Archimandrite Meletios is the author of two published the world more than anything else. The Church is a place of in the next Path. Eis polla eti, Despota! books: Steps of Transformation (Conciliar Press 2002) and continued on p. 4 IN THIS ISSUE: • FREQUENT COMMUNION, P. 4 • BISHOPS' CONFERENCE, P. 2 • YOUTH PAGES, PP. 6-7 • SERBIAN SECTION, PP. 8-12 • PAGE TWO THE PATH OF ORTHODOXY MARCH 2011 THE PATH OF ORTHODOXY THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA EDITORIAL STAFF English Section Editors Serbian Editor V. Rev. Rade Merick, Senior Editor V. Rev. Nedeljko Lunich 530 North Fourth Street 300 Stryker Ave Steubenville, OH 43952 Joliet, IL 60437 email:[email protected] Fax: 815-741-1883 email: [email protected] Rev. Milovan Katanic 65 South Keel Ridge Road Contributing Editor Hermitage, PA 16148 V. Rev. Thomas Kazich Phone:724-342-1198 P.O. Box 371, email: [email protected] Grayslake, IL 60030-0371 V. Rev. Dr. Bratislav Krsic Phone: (847) 223-4300 3025 Denver Street San Diego, CA 92117 Technical Editor Phone: 619-276-5827 Vesna R. Meinert email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Members of the Secretariat of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America met at St. Steven’s Cathedral in Alhambra, CA Business and Circulation Address January 12-13, hosted by His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America. The Path of Orthodoxy P. O. Box 883 Bridgeport, WV 26330 Bishops’ Conference Secretariat email: [email protected] holds initial meeting The Path of Orthodoxy is a monthly publication with a double issue printed for the months of July and August. Subscriptions are $12.50 per year for U.S. residents and $15.00 Alhambra, CA - On January 12-13 the Mark Arey, was appointed a consultant to per year (U.S. funds only) for Canadian subsribers. members of the Secretariat of the Assembly the Secretariat. of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North Bishop Maxim, as Coordinator for Com- Letters to the editor are welcomed and encouraged. All letters and manuscripts sub- and Central America met in Alhambra, CA at mittees, intends to contact the chairmen of mitted for publication must be signed and contain the author's name and address. Please St. Steven’s Cathedral, hosted by His Grace the thirteen committees soon, to help them send materials through email or MS Word format. Bishop Maxim. The meetings were led by His begin in earnest their work on behalf of the Grace Bishop Basil, and included bishops, Assembly. Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, priests, deacons, monastics, and laity. In addi- who developed a protocol to help the com- tion to Bishop Basil, the others in attendance mittees, was appointed consultant to Bishop were: Bishop Andonios, Bishop Maxim, Fr. Maxim. EDITORIAL Mark Arey, Fr. Nicholas Ceko, Fr. Josiah The question of communications was Trenham, Protodeacon Peter Danilchick, Mr. also discussed. Those present acknowledged Eric Namee, and Fr. Benedict Armitage. Mr. the fact that the Orthodox faith is not well RUE DUCATION OOTED Alex Machaskee was able to participate by known to the media and public, and hereto- T E R phone in part of the meeting. fore has been largely unable to speak with The Secretariat recommended to the a unified voice. It was asked, if Orthodox IN THE EUCHARIST Chairman, Archbishop Demetrios, some Christians neglect to address important issues changes in the appointments for the commit- in society, how can they be upset when their There can be little doubt that our clergy and their coworkers in Christian tee members and chairs, which will eliminate political leaders do the same? education face great challenges.