Eparchial (Diocesan) News

The Belgrade Theological School Choir sang at the Russian Cathedral

The Belgrade Theological School Choir sang on Sunday evening at the Russian Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco. Present at the concert of Orthodox music "O Wonderous Glory" were Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America of the Russian Orthodox Church, Bishop Joanikije of Budim and Niksic, Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and Western America of the Orthodox Church in America and the Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Western America, Maxim. Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Princess Catherine.

Source: http://www.serborth.org/

Bishop Maxim visits Oregon

August 1^st, 2^nd - His Grace Bishop Maxim visited the Women's Monastery of the Nativity of the Forruner, in Goldendale. Gerontissa Evpraxia with the sisters of the Monastery received Bishop Maxim on Friday evening and the next day he celebrated the Divine Liturgy. On Sunday Bishop Maxim celebrated the Liturgy in the Serbian Orthodox Parish of St Stephen the Archdeacon in Portland.

Source: www.westsrbdio.org

Vandalism in Gusinje

In the morining hours of August 04, 2008, unknown perpetrators demolished 40 meters of wrought iron fence in front of the Church of St. George in Gusinje.

Orthodox believers in Gusinje are very upset by this violence, especially because the perpetrators have not been identified and punished.

The issue in this case is not an insignificant incident, but an attack against an orthodox holy place, provoking religious and national hatred and causing distress to the orthodox believers and all people of good will in Gusinje and the Municipality of Plav. It must be mentioned here that the fence in front of the Church of St. George has been demolished several times in the past, but the perpetrators have never been identified or punished.

Orthodox Diocese of Budimlje and Niksic

13 yaear since the fall of Krajina – parastos in Canberra

On the 4th of August 1995, the Croatian Operation "Oluja" (Storm), an invasion of the Republic of Serbian Krajina, created the worst refugee crisis Europe has seen since World War II. In a few days, more than two hundred thousand Serbs, almost the entire population, fled their homes, and thousands of Serbian civilians lost their lives. The Serbs of Krajina, who had earned the right to their land through centuries of blood, sweat and tears shed defending Christian Europe, disappeared.

Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America - Diocesan Day 2008

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America the 2008 Diocesan Day celebration was held on Sunday August 3, 2008. Special guest and con-celebrant at the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning was His Grace Bishop Longin of the New Gracanica Diocese, assisted by nineteen diocesan clergy and five deacons. Four clergy were also in attendance and not serving, including Rev. Zivojin Jakovljevic, the director of the camp who led the children's choir during the liturgy. Mother Ana and Sister Anastasija from Monastery Marcha also attended the diocesan event.

Our Saint Sava Summer Camp 2008

A life-shaping experience, Saturday, July 27 - August 2, 2008

One of the most spiritually nourishing events every year in the Western American Diocese is the ChildrenвЂ^TMs Camp. Organized by the Diocesan Camp Committee and held during the three weeks in July at the Saint Sava Mission and Retreat Center, in Jackson, California, this Camp always attracts many children from throughout the Diocese. St Sava Summer Camp begins each year after the feast of Petrovdan and continues for three full weeks. The first week is restricted to younger campers of elementary and middle school. The second and third week are open to campers who range from those entering the first grade to the twelfth grade.