Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
April 16, 2004

PATRIARCH PAVLE APPEALS ON BEHALF OF
FR. JEREMIJA AND ALEKSANDAR STAROVLAH

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle, in a continued effort to bring to light the recent tragic events in the town of Pale in Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), where SFOR soldiers beat, with what appear to be death blows, the Archpriest-Stavrophorus Jeremija Starovlah and his son, the catechist Aleksandar, forwarded an open letter to Major General Virgil L. Packett II, SFOR Commander-in-chief.

Copies of the same letter with new evidence were submitted to: His Excellency Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General; The Honorable Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General; His Excellency Javier Solana, High Representative of the European Union; The Right Honorable Lord Paddy Ashdown, High Representative of the United Nations for Common Foreign and Security Policy; His Excellency Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission; and His Excellency Dr. Michael Wenninger, Political Consultant to the President of the European Commission, noting among all else:

"With the information that we now have at our disposal, as to how the members of these, of whom we anticipated to be peacekeepers, wounded and then, without any reason whatsoever, in a beastly manner tortured these two Christians, is far worse than even that brought forth in the noted letter."

"Therefore We request You, once again, with the respect and authority, which You command in the International Community, to undertake all measures to stop the disturbance of the Orthodox inhabitants of Republika Srpska, and especially the attacks on our clergy and the members of their families."

Respectfully,

ABM and SERBIAN PATRIARCH
/signed/ + PAVLE

PREMIER PERFORMANCE OF "THE GIFT"

The premier performance of "The Gift" (Dar) by playwright Zorica Simovic took place yesterday, April 15, 2004, on the stage of the KULT Theatre in Belgrade.

The play follows events in the course of one night in the cell of a German prison in France during the Occupation. In that short time, all the themes that perplex humankind are covered, including God, life, death, evil, love and even the relation between art and theology.

The two main characters in the play are the nun Jelena, played by Tanja Boskovic and theatrical actress Solange, played by the young actress Katarina Eric; a third character is the German prison guard Klaus (Vladimir Posavec Tusek). The nun Jelena enters the cell of young Solange to unburden her soul before tomorrow's execution.

Brimming with emotion, the play touches upon the issues of theodicy and the creation of the world and humanity and, perhaps most deeply of all, the issue of love and the overcoming of evil by the individual's transcendence of self. In several exchanges the nun, who was once an actress prior to taking her vows, and the young actress Solange cast light on the stage, the hypocrisy and insincerity of acting. In their discussion theology is placed above art.

Commenting on the play, His Grace Bishop Porfirije of Jegar emphasized "that love is the surest ladder from man to God, from heaven to earth, and the path from one man to another. Love is that which gives value to man. The gift of love that Tanja Boskovic in the role of nun Jelena reveals is that nature of man's love is cross-shaped. It presumes, vertically, love toward God and horizontally, unconditional, free and practical love toward those close to us. Those close to us include every man, known and unknown, while the quality of horizontal causality is effectively bound to the horizontal." Nun Jelena teaches Solange that she needs to pray for her enemies, even for those who are to execute her tomorrow. Of course, at first her mind is unable to comprehend this because it cannot attain a dimension of freedom from itself, and for itself. As the play approaches conclusion, Solange gradually comes to understand what true and disinterested love is and she climbs, as it were, the ladder and moves toward God. Thus, by the grace of God and the help of nun Jelena, the young and rebellious actress Solange is freed from the dungeon and the death penalty. She becomes a nun and leaves the prison, where the joyful and Christ-like nun Jelena remains, singing at the end of the performance, "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us."

In conclusion, we emphasize that the screenplay is based on a true story and that nun Jelena was called Marija Skobskova. After the war the Government of the French Republic posthumously decorated Marija with the Legion of Honor and the People's Award of Merit.

EXHIBITION ON RELIGIOUS LIFE IN THE ARMY (1804 – 1941) IN PREPARATION AT THE MILITARY MUSEUM

The Morale Department of the Serbia-Montenegro Army General Staff, in cooperation with the Orthodox Church is organizing in the Military Museum, on the occasion of the 200 year anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising, an exhibition on religious life in the armies of the Dukedom and Kingdom of Serbia, the Principality and Kingdom of Montenegro, and the kingdom of Yugoslavia to the beginning of the Second World War (from 1804 to 1941).

On this occasion the organizers would like to invite all those whose family heritage includes items, documents, photographs or anything relating to the following subject areas: military priests, liturgical services in the army, military cemeteries, oath of allegiance, consecration of the flag, special diets, religious instruction in the army, etc. to assist in more fully displaying this part of our history, which has been neglected and passed over for so long. All those who are willing to assist are asked to contact the Military Museum by letter or telephone. All exponents secured in this manner will be returned to the owners upon the conclusion of the exhibition.

Address: Military Museum, Kalemegdan bb, 11000 Belgrade, telephone 011/3227-387

PASCHA IN VIENNA

The greatest Christian holiday of the Resurrection of Christ was celebrated in prayer and in dignity fashion in all three Serbian churches in the Austrian capital.

In the new church dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ, the celebration was especially festal on Bright Monday, when the church patron saint's day was also celebrated.

Holy Archierchal Liturgy was served by His Eminence Metropolitan Michael Staikos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Vienna, His Eminence Metropolitan Seraphim of the Romanian Orthodox Church Seraphim of Central and Northern Europe, and His Grace Serbian Bishop Konstantin of Central Europe, concelebrating with a number of priests and deacons. In their address to the faithful, the bishops emphasized the great importance of these joint liturgical services for the Church is one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic.

This is only the second church patron saint's day to be celebrated in the newly purchased church of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Vienna, and the hosts were the members of the Ljuskic family, Zika, Radica, Leonora, Zorica and Slobodanka.

Among the many faithful, Holy Liturgy was also attended by representatives from the Embassy of Serbia and Montenegro: Consul Kosta Simonovic, advisor for diaspora Nikola Dimitrievski, the president of the church parish, Milenko Јovanovic, and the president of organization Serbian People's Renewal (SNO) Petar Milatovic Ostroski.

Songs were sung by the St. Sava Choir, which arrived especially for this occasion from Sremska Mitrovica. After Liturgy a formal luncheon was prepared for guests.

Text and photographs by Miodrag Mecanovic

An article by Maјa Herman-Sekulic was published in the magazine "Gloria" on April 14, 2004 regarding an exceptionally successful exhibition in New York City

Spring in New York City

BYZANTIUM ON FIFTH AVENUE

"At the end of March the third exhibition in a series was opened in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City dedicated to Byzantine art called "Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261-1557)". Since then the museum building on Fifth Avenue has flown the flag of Byzantium and the exhibition has marked the coming of spring to New York City. For the first time more than 350 masterpieces have been collected from 30 countries of Europe and Asia in one place. Much space has been given to works from our region: fragments of frescoes and items such as silver coins from the time of the Serbian Emperors Dusan and Uros, the sarcophagus of King Stefan Uros III from Decani Monastery, the sculpture of the Mother of God with Child from Sokolica Monastery in Kosovo, a gorgeous stone rosetta, the ring of the Empress Theodora, the chalice of Stefan Uros IV, the Emperor Dusan from the National Museum and icons from Ochrid.

In the words of the director of the Metropolitan Museum, the exhibition has been seven years in the making and its realization would have been impossible without close cooperation with institutions such as the Museum of the Patriarchate and the National Museum in Belgrade. Many of the artifacts left the monasteries and countries where they originate for the first time. In honor of this exhibition exceptionally beautiful copies of Byzantine jewelry were also prepared in India from emeralds, pearls and rubies in 24-carat gold.

To this we must add: Spring has come to New York City with the breath of Byzantium. In our part of the world, where many of the exponents on display originate, spring began with the smoke and flames of torched holy shrines and the houses of the descendants of those who created this beauty.

NEW PARISH HOME IN VINKOVCI

The parish home in Vinkovci next to the Serbian church has been built in the same location where an identical home stood until 1991. The Mamic construction company completed the construction of the building and finishing of the exterior in just four months. Now all that remains is the interior furnishings.

The parish home includes an apartment for the priest, an office for the church parish and a conference room to be used for religious instruction.

The rebuilding of the parish home falls under the provisions of the Law on reconstruction of family homes and all work so far has been financed by the Ministry for Restoration and Construction. Work was successfully carried out after a number of meetings between the Orthodox parish priest, Fr. Predrag Azap, with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry.

In the coming months work will be done on the interior furnishings of the parish home. We therefore appeal to all people of good will, especially Serbs from Vinkovci who now live abroad, to help by donating toward the completion of the parish home in Vinkovci.

All inquiries should be directed to Fr. Predrag Azap, the parish priest in Vinkovci (telephone: 385-32-562-027) or by email at crkva-pacetin@vk.htnet.hr.

PRESS ON PASCHAL CONCERT A GIFT FOR CHILANDAR

POLITIKA daily

When the Serbian Imperial Laura of Chilandar Monastery on the Holy Mountain, which for centuries has been a spiritual guide for the Serbs, a source of the contemporary heritage of "Svetosavlje" - Christianity as practiced by St. Sava and bequeathed to all the Serbs, was ravaged by fire, it was as if the very essence and heart of generations living in a small country in the Balkans, in southeastern Europe, had disappeared. Nevertheless, despite the difficult times, those who are aware of the importance of this edifice far away, on a peninsula of the island of Halkidiki, gathered in the Sava Center concert hall to send a message of solidarity and money needed for the restoration of the holy shrine. A spectacular donors' concert in the Sava Center is just the beginning of fundraising events that will be organized until Chilandar Monastery is rebuilt.
Many people gathered for this philanthropic event. Guests included bishops, the chief of staff, major general Branko Krga, HRH Crown Prince Aleksandar and Princess Katarina, representatives of Serbian ministries, Belgrade mayor Radmila Hrustanovic and others.

The huge Paschal event brought together some 400 performers, while the exceptional production of Ivica Vidanovic and scenographer Nikola Bercek seemed to simultaneously transport all the guests into the courtyard of the Imperial Laura and to the monasteries of Kosovo and Metohija. In the great hall of the Sava Center, three stages were prepared dedicated to the motifs of Chilandar, the ambiance of Kosovo-Metohija and the holiday of the Resurrection of Christ. The program itself, which included a mingling of acting, liturgical chants, music and prayer, encompassed the eight hundred year history of the monastery, and the rises and falls of the Serbian people.

"All holy shrines are built to protect and sustain our souls. The restoration of Chilandar and other holy shrines is a call to spiritual restoration within us. The path to restoration within ourselves is slowest but it must be undertaken. Chilandar and other holy shrines were not built only with gold but also with the light and wisdom of the nation," said Nevena Vitosevic, the deputy minister of religions, at the beginning of the program.

"Chilandar was conceived and built to be a measure of our national history. This building is the pious endowment of the Serbian people to their faith and to themselves. During centuries of persecution, the Serbian deeds to freedom and the state were guarded here, in Chilandar, the treasury of Serbian medieval culture," emphasized Milovan Vitezovic, who wrote a scenario acclaimed to be worthy of the Chilandar Library.

"No monastery has had as profound a spiritual influence as Chilandar. What was peripheral in terms of geography became our nucleus. A long time ago the relics of Serbian St. Sava were set on fire but they did not burn but blossomed instead into the fire of spirituality of our people. Recently throughout Kosovo and Metohija many holy shrines were torched, including the Mother of God of Ljevis and the Church of Christ the Savior. They have not been irretrievably lost to the flames, either. What was burned, God willing, will be restored," said Bishop Irinej.

V. Velickovic

BLIC daily

In the first row of the great hall in the Sava Center, leaders of the Church, the Army, many diplomats took their place, while in the very center were the members of the Royal Family. All of them came to contribute in their own way to the restoration of the greatest of Serbian holy shrines, Chilandar Monastery, in a night called "A gift for Chilandar". The admission fee of 1,000 dinars was justified by the purpose as well as the scenic and musical spectacular involving more than 300 performers, including actors Danilo Lazovic, Ivana Zigon, Branko Duric and Boda Ninkovic, and musicians Bora Dugic, Bilja Krstic, Legende and many others. Just before the beginning in front of the entrance to the great hall Serbian musical legend Dorde Marјanovic, with an easy step and characteristic smile, posed for photo reporters and greeted friends. Only a few meters away, well-disposed singer Sladana Milosevic conversed with reporters..

In the call itself the central position was occupied by HRH Crown Prince Aleksandar Karadordevic and his wife, Princess Katarina. Slightly further away, general Branko Krga and writer Milovan Vitezovic chatted as they awaited the beginning of the performance. The event was also attended by senior dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church; Slobodan Samardzic, advisor to Premier Kostunica, and we also observed former musician Srdan Saper, who now owns a PR agency.

A.M. P.M

EKSPRES POLITIKA daily

In the overflowing Sava Center a donors' event called "A gift for Chilandar" took place last night with the blessing of His Beatitude the Serbian Patriarch Pavle and the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church. All participants in this grand event, including about 300 artists on the scene and at least seven or eight times that number in the audience, were donors in their own way last night as all revenue from the admission fee is to go toward the restoration of the great Serbian holy shrine on the Holy Mountain, a large part of which burned in a fire on March 4 of this year.

Even though it had been announced that the introductory remarks would be made by His Beatitude the Serbian Patriarch Kyr Pavle, the large audience was instead greeted by His Grace the Bishop of Backa, Irinej. who thanked those present for attending and reminded that their donation will not only go toward the restoration of Chilandar but also toward their personal spiritual restoration. "Chilandar is one of the five most eminent monasteries in the world," reminded Bishop Irinej, adding that Chilandar can never be destroyed by fire, "because it is beneficial to gather in the atmosphere of victory in which we have gathered at this donors' concert".

Participation in the concern, at the invitation of the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, included the choirs Obilic, Prvo Beogradsko Pevacko Drustvo, Sveti Georgiјe, Kir Moјsiјe Petrovic, Rastko and Stefan and others. The restoration of Chilandar by song was assisted by Biljana Krstic and the group Bistrik, and Legende; by music, by Bora Dugic and Bosko Vuјacic; by dance, by the National Theatre Ballet. Important roles were also played by actors Danilo Lazovic, Petar Bozovic and others.

At the conclusion the paschal song "Ljudi likujte, narodi cuјte" (Let the nations rejoice, let the people hear) rang out through the Sava Center as performed by a group of eminent artists.