Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
July 23, 2004

CONSECRATION OF BISHOP GERASIM OF GORNJI KARLOVAC

During its regular meeting held from May 10 to May 19, 2004, the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church selected Abbot Gerasim of Krka Monastery, as Bishop of the Diocese of Gornji Karlovac.

Archimandrite Gerasim (born Zoran Popovic) was born on February 15, 1972 in Gornje Liplje. He graduated from the Holy Three Hierarchs Seminary at Krka Monastery and the Moscow Spiritual Academy. While a third year seminary student he was tonsured a monk by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaj of Dabro-Bosnia. Metropolitan Jovan of Zagreb and Ljubljana ordained him deacon on the feast of the Holy Archangel Michael in 1991 and subsequently hieromonk on October 5, 1998. He became abbot of Krka Monastery the same year.

On the feast of the Holy Archangel Michael 2003, His Grace Bishop Fotije of Dalmatia made him an archimandrite. As the monastery elder he worked for the restoration of the monastery and the Seminary where he has also taught since its restoration in 2001. He has succeeded in gathering a young brotherhood around him.

On July 24, 2004 at 6:00 p.m. His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle will be serving the rite of election of Abbot Gerasim of Krka Monastery as the new Bishop of Gornji Karlovac in Gomirje Monastery.

The following day, Sunday, July 25, at 9:00 a.m., His Holiness will serve Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of a large number of bishops, and perform the rite of chirotonia or consecration of Bishop Gerasim of Gornji Karlovac.

LITERARY AWARD PRESENTED TO BISHOP ATANASIJE JEVTIC

The Ivanka Milosevic Foundation from Chicago has presented the Three-Handed Mother of God Literary Award to the retired Bishop of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, the Rt. Rev. Atanasije (Jevtic). The presentation ceremony took place in the Atrium of the National Museum in Belgrade on July 23, 2004. Speaking at the ceremony were His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, academician Matija Beckovic, Dragomir Acovic of the Royal Council, Aleksandar Cotric for the Serbian government and Desanka Milosevic on behalf of the Ivanka Milosevic Foundation from Chicago. Metropolitan Amfilohije reminded all present of the student days of Bishop Atanasije and his important role as historian and patrologist. Academician Matija Beckovic spoke with inspiration of the “unretired” Bishop Atanasije, and Desanka Milosevic, the mother of Ivana Milosevic, who was slain by the Communists, congratulated Bishop Atanasije on receiving the literary award. The first recipient of the Three-Handed Mother of God Award was Matija Beckovic; Bishop Atanasije is the third to be thus honored.

CONSTRUCTION OF CHURCH OF ST. PARASKEVA IN ISAKOVO

His Grace Bishop Ignjatije of Branicevo blessed the construction of a church dedicated to St. Paraskeva (Sv. Petka) in the village of Isakovo near Cuprija. Bishop Ignjatije said: “Churches will never disappear. Even those in Kosovo that are being destroyed will be restored. We do well to keep in mind: as long as we adhere to the Church, we will know our identity and we will survive, supported by the Lord. If we lose this, we will scatter throughout the world – and cease to exist.” The village of Isakovo with its 5,500 residents is one of the largest villages in the municipality of Cuprija and one of the few in the Pomoravlje region without a church.

EMBROIDERY EXHIBITION TO BENEFIT CHILANDAR MONASTERY

Some one hundred handcrafted embroidery makers from the city of Kragujevac and surrounding villages gathered in the churchyard in Grosnica to present and sell some 600 of their beautiful works. All proceeds will go toward the rebuilding of Chilandar Monastery. The exhibition and sale will continue for three days. Seventy embroidered items and other handicrafts were sold immediately upon the opening of the exhibition. Prices on the average are lower than in handicrafts shops.

SUMMER ARTISTS’ COLONY IN VELIKA HOCA

An artists’ colony sponsored by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, the Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija, and UNESCO will be held in Velika Hoca from July 27 to August 10, 2004. Some 50 participants of the Art Forum from Serbia and Montenegro, Kosovo and Metohija, Bulgaria, Hungary, Denmark, Poland and the Ukraine will take part. The academic program will include the first symposium of art history and conservation experts and the creative workshops will include a puppet theater, model making, a children’s art colony, digital photograph and games. A Summer School of authentic church chants, singing and ethnic music will be held during the same timeframe. A Media Workshop on August 7 will include presentation of the works from creative workshops for children and young people. The results of the work of the Artists’ Colony will be presented throughout the event and an auction will be held with the proceeds going to charity. Residents of Velika Hoca and Orahovac will also exhibit locally made handicrafts.

The transportation convoy from Zvecan to Velika Hoca takes place each Tuesday and Friday at 2:00 p.m.

[Serbian Translation Services]