Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
January 28, 2005

PRIJEPOLJE
7:00 p.m.

SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH PRIEST ATTACKED

His Grace Bishop Filaret of Milesevo has just informed that late this afternoon in Prijepolje, a group of young Muslim men ambushed priest Jovo Adnan and beat him up in addition to subjecting him to the crudest language and insults based on his religion and nationality. The son of Bahrija Begonev, one of the richest men in Prijepolje, was recognized among the attackers.

Immediately after this unfortunate incidents unknown perpetrators stoned the Bishop’s Residence in Prijepolje.

Bishop Filaret reports that the Serbian people throughout the Raska district are visibly disturbed and that they are gathering in Orthodox churches.

This is the latest of a series of similar incidents that have been occurring with increasing frequency involving attacks on Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church lately, said Bishop Filoret. He added that all appropriate municipal, regional and republic officials have been advised of these incidents by the Diocese of Milesevo.

DIASPORA ASSEMBLY HELPS KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

On January 28, 2005 His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle received Mr. Zivadin Jovanovic, the co-president of the Diaspora Assembly Council, the executive and management council of the Diaspora Homeland Fund, in the Belgrade Patriarchate. Donations were collected at a recent meeting of this body held in the Museum of Ethnography in Belgrade, and are intended for school age children in Kosovo and Metohija.

His Holiness Patriarch Pavle blessed the appeal of the Diaspora Assembly Council to all Serbian associations and individuals in the diaspora to join in the activity of collecting aid for the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, and thus demonstrating brotherly solidarity with the victims of violence, ethnic cleansing and endangerment of basic human rights.

ST SAVA’S DAY ACADEMY HELD AT THE ORTHODOX THEOLOGICAL FACULTY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

On the day of the celebration of the first Serbian archbishop, St. Sava, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the chapel of St. John the Theologian at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade. Concelebrants included Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Velimir Petakovic, the hierarchal deputy of the diocese of Western America and a major donor to the restoration of this chapel; Presbyter Dr. Vladan Perisic, dean of the Theological Faculty; Hieromonk Irinej Dobrijevic, consultant to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church; Presbyter Vladimir Vukasinovic; Presbyter Panaiotis Karatasios of the Hellene Church; and Deacon Dragan Askovic.

After Holy Liturgy His Holiness Patriarch Pavle cut the slava cake for all celebrants, beginning with the Orthodox Theological Faculty and the children’s magazine Svetosavsko Zvonce.

This was followed by the St. Sava’s Day academy attended by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander, Princess Katherine, Princess Linda and Prince Mihajlo; Cardinal Dr. Josef Homeyer, the chairman of the Bishops’ Conference of the European Union; Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar of Belgrade; Dr. Aleksandar Lipkovski, prorector of the University of Belgrade; Dr. Milos Nedeljkovic, dean of the Faculty of Machine engineering of the University of Belgrade; and minister for religions in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Milan Radulovic.

At the beginning of the St. Sava’s Day academy students sang the troparion to St. Sava and dean Dr. Vladan Perisic welcomed all those in attendance. Prorector of the University of Belgrade Dr. Aleksandar Lipovski wished everyone a happy holiday with the words: “A happy holiday to all those who are studying and those who are learning.” Eminent guest Cardinal Dr. Josef Homeyer said it was a great honor to attend the St. Sava’s Day academy at the Orthodox Theological Faculty. After his introductory remarks Cardinal Homeyer emphasized that St. Sava helped the Serbs to achieve both political and ecclesiastical independence. Serbia at that time was the bridge between the East and the West. However, later the West did wrong by Serbia and did nothing to help her during the Turkish conquest. Speaking in front of an overflowing amphitheatre, Cardinal Homeyer apologized to the Serbian people for all the misfortunes inflicted upon them throughout history by the German people. Furthermore, the Most Reverend Cardinal also emphasized the need for further Christian dialogue and Christian forgiveness. Europe needs the Orthodox Church and culture. Facing the great challenge with which anthropological and spiritual crisis have confronted the European Union, the saving role of the Orthodox faith in God and Orthodox culture is necessary.

After the speakers a report was read regarding the work of the Theological Faculty in the year 2005. There are presently 963 students enrolled in undergraduate studies at the Orthodox Theological Faculty, 57 graduates and 14 students enrolled in post-graduate studies.

Participants in the cultural arts program included the wind quartet Arto and Peloti, soloist Branislava Podrumac, and the quintet Bel Tango. At the end of the St. Sava’s Day Academy the students sang the hymn to St. Sava.

[Serbian Translation Services]