Information Service of THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ORGANISES YOUTHS GATHERING “MOBA/HARVEST 2002” THIS SUMMER AS WELL On January 3, 2002, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church made a decision that the Serbian Orthodox Church would this year as well also organise the gathering of the youths from Diaspora and the Fatherland - “Moba 2002” (“Harvest 2002”), which should take place in the period July 7 to August 7. “Unlike the last year’s event, which took place only in the Diocese of Sabac-Valjevo, this year eight dioceses in the Fatherland expressed great interest to receive our youths from Diaspora. Very soon, centres for applications are to be established in Europe and overseas” His Grace Lavrentije, Bishop of Sabac-Valjevo, announced at the press conference in the Ministry for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Serbia. According to Bishop Lavrentije, “the holy task of our Church and our community” is to help stopping “the process of alienation of our young countrymen in Diaspora”. He said there would be around 400 participants aged 15 to 30 who would work on the renovation of church sanctities in the Fatherland. The organiser estimates that two thirds of the youths would come from abroad, and one third from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and from the ex SFRY member republics. One of the sponsors of this year’s Moba is His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic, while JAT (Yugoslav Airlines) continues to be the traditional sponsor which will provide the return tickets under the most favourable conditions. The dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church will provide accommodation and food for a month for the participants, and the state and social services should take care of free visas for those participants not having FRY passport, as well as for educational, cultural and recreational events. The organisers of “Moba 2002” expect that the newly appointed Council of Diaspora at the Government of the Federal Republic should also join the organisation of this action and support it. |
