The first school of the Serbian Orthodox Church is preparing to welcome its first students in an ideal environment in western Sydney on the feast day of St. Sava, on January 27, 2021. St. Sava College will operate in the suburb of Varroville under the auspices of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
“The Ghetto”—that’s what, with a touch of sad humor, the people of Orahovac in Kosovo and Metohija call their town. Divided into two parts—the Serbian and the Albanian—the town really gives no cause for joy. Nevertheless, the Serbs who live there not only keep calm but also keep hope and faith in Christ, without which, as they say, life is meaningless. As a confirmation of our brothers’ faithfulness to Christ and their desire to live peacefully in their native land we offer our readers several accounts of Dejan Baljosevic, who lives in the Serbian enclave.
“I’ll give you a rap on the knuckles”
Once before the International Day of the Disappeared, which is on August 30, I was charged with the task of making a list of families from Orahovac who had lost their loved ones during the war and occupation. These people were to go to Gracanica Monastery for the event, dedicated to the memory of the disappeared, in a coach accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The event was as sad as the occasion for this meeting of Kosovar Serbs.
Once Jerusalem and all Judea were astir with the news that a new prophet had appeared, never before seen, and frightening. This man called out to the crowd around him, “Repent!” The unrighteous in their fright said to the prophet, “Do you want us to give you gold? Just shut up, you’re wounding us, it’s like our consciences are gnawing at us.” “I don’t need gold, you generation of vipers,” the prophet answered. “I have what is more precious than gold.” The righteous also came to John and said, “Do you want us to give you gold for the lessons you have given us on how to be righteous?” John replied, “I am living and speaking with you, brothers, for your own sakes, and not for the sake of your gold. I don’t need it.” And so rumors were spread about John that he knows no fear and spares no one. And John even reproached the iniquity of Herodias, Herods’ wife. She too sent him gold, but the prophet wrathfully rejected the dirty adulteress’s gold.
September 5, 2020, is the 5th anniversary of the canonization of Sts. Sebastian and Mardary, clergymen and preachers of the Gospel, God-pleasing servants of holy life, and inspirers of many missionaries in North America.
Competition is organized by the Orthodox Church of Finland, OrthPhoto.net and the Publishing Department of the Polish Orthodox Church. The contest is organized to present the diversity and beauty of Orthodoxy in Finland. Through this contest, which will culminate with an album and an exhibition, we would like to present for wider audience Christian life in Finland. We are looking for images in these categories: Churches (architecture, frescos, crosses, tombs, landscape), People (ordained and lay, portrait, etc.), Reportage (Church events, pilgrimages, feasts, etc.). Entering the competition is free of charge. Due to Coronavius pandemics we encourage participants to look through their archives. If you sent your application before 31st of May you will not lose your limits. All entries must be received by September 4th, 2020.
