Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
September 12, 2005

CHOIR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LUTHERAN CHURCH FROM STOCKHOLM IN GUEST PERFORMANCES IN BELGRADE AND NOVI SAD
METROPOLITAN AMFILOHIJE: LET US NOT FORGET WHAT IT IS THAT COSTS PEOPLE THEIR HEADS
SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS OF RELIGION INSTRUCTION HELD IN CHICAGO

CHOIR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LUTHERAN CHURCH FROM STOCKHOLM IN GUEST PERFORMANCES IN BELGRADE AND NOVI SAD

One of the foremost church choirs of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Gustav Vasa Chamber Choir from Stockholm, will be visiting Belgrade and Novi Sad from September 14-18, 2005. The Diocese of Backa and the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Information Service are the organizers of the visit which will make it possible for residents of Belgrade and Novi Sad to welcome a church choir from the Kingdom of Sweden for the first time.

The choir will introduce itself to the Belgrade public on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. in the formal auditorium of the Municipal Assembly, and to the Novi Sad public on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. in the Almaska Church. The entrance to the concerts is free of charge.

The Gustaf Vasa Choir is a mixed choir consisting of 35 members, with Mr. Lars Freden as conductor.

METROPOLITAN AMFILOHIJE: LET US NOT FORGET
WHAT IT IS THAT COSTS PEOPLE THEIR HEADS

Last night His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral gave a lecture at the Spiritual Center in Podgorica on the theme “St. John the Baptist – Joyful Martyr for God’s Truth”.

“There are three great temptations: carnal lust, the lust of the eyes and the arrogance of life. This demonic trinity, which pleases deception instead of being the source of true nourishment, locks humanity in a cage and condemns him to worthlessness, to lack of identity. This demonic trinity has beheaded the greatest born to woman, the great prophet of repentance, of true change in the mind and the heart of humanity,” said Metropolitan Amfilohije at the Spiritual Center in Podgorica, speaking of the joyful martyrdom of the Forerunner of the Lord.

“Never has the morality of the European peoples been in peril as it is today. We fear that we are before a cataclysm because our time is the time of justification of Sodom and Gomorrah. That is the ethos that beheaded St. John the Baptist,” said Metropolitan Amfilohije.

Quoting Dostoevsky that beauty will save the world, the Metropolitan also quoted Tarkovsky, who understood to what extent shamelessness destroys the essence of human being and therefore said that shame will save the world.

“That is why it is good that we remember this terrible day, Great Thursday and Great Friday, and that we understand that this is what cost St. John the Forerunner his head, and that this is what costs people their heads,” said Metropolitan Amfilohije.

This lecture by the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral is the first of a series of Sunday lectures at the Spiritual Center in Podgorica.

Source: Svetigora Press (S.Z./S.K)

SEMINAR FOR TEACHERS OF RELIGION INSTRUCTION
HELD IN CHICAGO

Under the auspices of the Metropolitanate of Central and Western America, a seminar for teachers of Orthodox catechism was given on Saturday, September 10, 2005 in the Orthodox Cathedral of Christ’s Resurrection in Chicago. All parishes in the Chicago area took active participation in this very important educational event.

The seminar was divided into two parts, each consisting of three presentations. The main theme of the seminar was “Children-Liturgy-Holy Mystery of Communion”. In addition to the main theme, “The Prologue of St. Nikolaj as basic material for religious instruction” was also discussed.

This is the first seminar of this type organized in the Metropolitanate of Central and Western America. The following catechal events have been announced for the future: Seminar for youth, Seminar for newlyweds, Seminar before the Christmas Fast, Seminar before the Paschal Fast, and Seminar for parents.

Deacon Damjan S. Bozic

[Serbian Translation Services]