Pittsburgh Deanery Education Meeting

The Twenty-Seventh Annual Deanery Meeting on Christian Education was scheduled by His Grace Bishop Dr. MTIROPHAN to be held at the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on February 20, 2016.

The Pittsburgh Deanery includes parishes in the following Pennsylvania communities: Aliquippa, Carmichaels, Johnstown, McKeesport, Midland, Monroeville, Pittsburgh, and Youngwood.

The parish in Steubenville, Ohio and mission parish in Fairmont, West Virginia are also part of the Pittsburgh Deanery. Very Reverend Stavrofor Rade Merick is the Dean.

 Father Merick spoke of the value of the meetings and their importance in strengthening educational efforts. Father Dragan Zaric, host priest, said the parish was honored the meeting was being held at St. Nicholas Church.

Reverend Branislav Golic was designated by His Grace to give the featured presentation. Father Golic gave a very-well researched and extensive oral and visual presentation entitled:  ”Calendars in the Orthodox Church.”

The presentation reviewed the Egyptian Calendar; Babylonian Calendar; Ancient Greek Calendar: and Ancient Roman Calendar.  Reforms by Julius Caesar, the Christian Era and Reforms by Pope Gregory XIII were discussed.  Father Golic specified calendars currently in use by various countries.

Following discussion of the presentation,  reports were presented on Christian education efforts in each parish of the Deanery. In addition to His Grace, Father Merick, Father Zaric and Father Golic, the following participated:: Episcopal Deputy-Very Reverend Stavrophor Dragoljub Malich, Very Reverend Rajko Kosic, Very Reverend Rumen Stoychev,  Reverend Father Herman, Protinica Donna Merick, Danielle Ribaric, Linda Freidhoff, Rose Marinkovich, Mark Stupar, Nikola Klipa, and David Silianoff.

The Deanery meetings have been held since 1987 as an opportunity to focus on Christian education efforts. His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN demonstrates their importance by regularly scheduling and participating in them.

In His remarks, His Grace mentioned the importance of families praying together in the home and being strong in faith. He cited an example of man willing to lose his job rather than violate his religious faith. Gratefulness was expressed to the host priest and parish for the hospitality provided.

Article by Fr Rodney Torbic

Source: Eastern American Diocese