Serbian Orthodox Church
College student retreat 2019 – Midwest Diocese
16. September 2019 - 9:41
The day started off with registration and pitch-in luncheon. Following lunch there were three short but profound presentations on faith and science. At 5 PM we all went to Vespers at the St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville to be blessed by our first Bishop on this continent – St. Mardarije, whose incorrupt relics are at the monastery. Surrounded by one of the oldest cemeteries in United States, we realized it needed some TLC, so we went around collecting 30 bags of trash. We were then invited for a pizza dinner at our bishop’s home across the street. We had the most amazing time with Bishop Longin, who spent over an hour answering questions after which he offered a great message to the young people, asking them never to forget who they are, where they come from and where they are going, while always making an effort to keep both their body and their soul clean and pure. After arriving back to the New Gracanica Monastery, we sat down in a circle playing guitar, singing songs, and recited poetry. The night continued on with a discussion of several controversial topics.
Chicago Fundraiser celebrates Divac induction into Hall of Fame
16. September 2019 - 9:29
On Monday evening, September 9, 2019 many gathered at the Dawson to celebrate NBA star Vlade Divac’s induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
The celebratory gathering to sponsor the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, a humanitarian organization, which has invested millions of dollars of philanthropic aid in Serbia, from housing for refugees to rehabilitation of school facilities, economic grants, scholarships, support for youth and children, and the like. That evening $44,000 was collected to refurbish at least 10 classrooms for the Technical School at Vladicin Han.
Praying for the Bahamas!
16. September 2019 - 9:23
Hurricane Dorian has passed, and survivors are picking up the pieces. IOCC’s US team deployed, assessed the needs in the Carolinas, cleaned up four homes, and are returning the Emergency Response Vehicle to Houston to be ready to deploy when and where needed as we monitor developing tropical storms.
IOCC staff have deployed to the Bahamas as of this week. Our team is working closely with Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and coordinating with international and local organizations to assess how we can best support the Church’s response in the short and long term. The Church is very engaged, reaching out and responding to those affected by the storm. However, the situation in the Bahamas remains fluid as people continue to evacuate the affected islands.
Hierarchal Liturgy in the birthplace of Patriarch Pavle
16. September 2019 - 9:00
The Feast day of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, the day when Serbian Patriarch Pavle was born in 1914, was prayerfully celebrated in the church of Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Kucanci on 11 September 2019.
Their Graces Bishops Metodije of Deoclea and Jovan of Slavonia celebrated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of the clergy of the dioceses of Slavonia and Belgrade in the birthplace of Patriarch Pavle.
