Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
November 10, 2004

FIRST CONFERENCE OF ORTHODOX JOURNALISTS HELD

On Tuesday, November 9, 2004 the first Conference of Orthodox journalists was held at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University in Belgrade.

The editors of “Pravoslavlje”, the publication of the Serbian Patriarchate and a part of the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Information and Publishing Service, in cooperation with the editors of “Dveri Srpske” magazine organized the conference with the desire of enhancing cooperation among journalists who write on Orthodox issues.

Speakers included the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Information and Publishing Service, His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Grace Bishop Porfirije of Jegar, and Prof. Dr. Bogoljub Sijakovic on “Globalism, culture and media”.

Lectures addressed many important topics relevant to relations between the Church, society and the media such as the attitude toward the Church and religious topics in secular media today and what it should be in the future, strategic planning and positioning of church media, forms of church relations with the public, etc.

Participants in the Conference included 73 representatives of over 40 various media institutions. Most representatives were from various diocese or parish publications but representatives of the most important secular media were also present.

At the conclusion of the Conference, an eight- point charter was adopted addressing all critical issues in Church and media relations.

MILITARY MEDICAL ACADEMY RECEIVES ORDER
OF ST PETAR ZIMONJIC OF THE FIRST DEGREE

On Tuesday, November 9, 2004, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaj of Dabro-Bosnia visited the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade and on that occasion presented Major-General Dr. Zoran Stankovic, the director of that institution, with the Order of St. Peter Zimonjic of the First Degree, the highest award of the Metropolitanate of Dabro-Bosnia.

The Metropolitanate honored the Military Medical Academy for its concern, treatment and saving the lives of Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Jeremija Starovlah and his son, catechist Aleksandar. This high honor was also presented to the Medical Center in Tuzla, where physicians provided initial emergency treatment to Fr. Jeremija and his son after they were seriously injured by members of SFOR in Pale.

Dr. Stankovic emphasized that Fr. Jeremija and Aleksandar were both doing well and that their treatment was progressing satisfactorily.

CONSECRATION OF CHURCH SITE IN LOVCENAC

On Saturday, November 13, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. the foundation of the church of St. Peter of Cetinje the Wonder-Worker will be consecrated in Lovcenac. In addition to His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa, participants in this ceremony will include Bishop Porfirije of Jegar and, as guests of the Diocese, His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic, and His Grace Bishop Maksim of Hum with the concelebration of a large number of priests of the Diocese of Backa. All faithful and people of good will are invited to take part in this spiritual celebration.

Office of the Diocese of Backa

[Serbian Translation Services]