Theology

The Life Of St. Xenia Of Petersburg

St. Xenia was the wife of Colonel Andrei Feodorovich Petrov, who served as a court chanter. At the age of 26, Xenia was widowed and, appeared to have lost her mind from grief: she distributed her possessions to the poor, dressed herself in the clothes of her reposed husband, and, as if having forgotten her own name, called herself by the name of her reposed husband - Andrei Feodorovich.

These eccentricities were not indicative of a loss of reason, however, but signified a complete disdain for earthly goods and human opinion, which places them at the center of existence. Thus, Xenia of Petersburg took upon herself the difficult podvig of foolishness for Christ's sake.

Having come to know the inconstancy of earthly happiness through the death of her beloved husband, Xenia strove toward God with all her heart, and sought protection and comfort only in Him. Earthly, transitory goods ceased to have any value for her. Xenia had a house; but gave it over to an acquaintance under the condition that it be used to shelter paupers. But Xenia herself, not having a refuge, would wander among the paupers of Petersburg. At night she would go out to a field, where she spent the time in ardent prayer.

Reestablishment of Serbian Orthodox Teachers and Youth Association

With the Blessings of the Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America and the support of the Central Church Council, we  announce the reestablishment of the Serbian Orthodox Teachers and Youth Association (SOTAYA). The purpose of this ministry is to unite the teachers, young adults, and youth members of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Dioceses throughout North and South America. It is a special forum through which people will be brought closer together through a ministry of faith and fellowship.

Read full Press Release here.

The Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Mother of God

If a tree is known by its fruit, and a good tree bears good fruit (cf. Mt. 7:17; Lk. 6:44), then is not the Mother of Goodness Itself, She who bore the Eternal Beauty, incomparably more excellent than every good, whether in this world or the world above? Therefore, the coeternal and identical Image of goodness, Preeternal, transcending all being, He Who is the preexisting and good Word of the Father, moved by His unutterable love for mankind and compassion for us, put on our image, that He might reclaim for Himself our nature which had been dragged down to uttermost Hades, so as to renew this corrupted nature and raise it to the heights of Heaven. For this purpose, He had to assume a flesh that was both new and ours, that He might refashion us from out of ourselves. Now He finds a Handmaiden perfectly suited to these needs, the supplier of Her own unsullied nature, the Ever-Virgin now hymned by us, and Whose miraculous Entrance into the Temple, into the Holy of Holies, we now celebrate. God predestined Her before the ages for the salvation and reclaiming of our kind. She was chosen, not just from the crowd, but from the ranks of the chosen of all ages, renowned for piety and understanding, and for their God-pleasing words and deeds.

Eastern Diocese Seminar on The Crisis of Marriage in Today’s Society

His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan is committed to continued education seminars for clergy of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Seminars have been held for clergy on a regular basis since at least October 1993 when +Very Re v. Stavrofor  Dr. Nedeljko Grgurevich was the featured speaker.

Bishop Maxim and Professor Yannaras visit Eugene Parish

His Grace Bishop Maxim visited the parish of St. John the Wonderworker Serbian Orthodox Church in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday, November 11^th, bringing Professor Christos Yannaras with him during his archpastoral visit. This was Professor Yannaras’s first visit to Eugene, Oregon, and the faithful were treated to a contemplative talk and insightful question and answer session following the Hierarchical Liturgy and banquet. 

Professor Christos Yannaras visits Serbian Parish in Arcadia

In the month of November the Serbian Western Diocese had an honor of hosting one of the most renowned Orthodox theologians and philosophers of our time, professor Christo Yannaras from Athens, Greece, author of more than 50 books and Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens.