Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
September 28, 2005

CONSECRATION OF FRESCOES IN THE NEWLY BUILT CHURCH OF THE HOLY PROPHET ELIJAH IN CORBY, GREAT BRITAIN
CONSECRATION OF CHURCH FOUNDATIONS IN THE GOLIJA VILLAGE OF BOBOTOVO GROBLJE
CONSECRATION OF CORNERSTONE FOR NEW CHURCH IN VINKOVCI ON SATURDAY

CONSECRATION OF FRESCOES IN THE NEWLY BUILT CHURCH OF THE HOLY PROPHET ELIJAH IN CORBY, GREAT BRITAIN

During Holy Hierarchal Liturgy served by His Grace Bishop Dositej of Britain and Scandinavia, His Grace Bishop Lukijan of Osijek Polje and Baranja, and His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic with the concelebration of Protopresbyter Milenko Zebic, hierarchal deputy; Protopresbyter Milun Kostic, parish priest of London; Protopresbyter Slobodan Radojcic, parish priest of Darby; Protopresbyter Zarko Nedic, parish priest of Bradford; Protopresbyter Nikola Kotur, parish priest of Oxford, Protopresbyter Obren Vujevic, Protodeacon Djordje Cekerevac and Hierodeacon Sava (Russian Orthodox Church), the frescoes in the church of the Holy Prophet Elijah in Corby, the work of theologian Dragan Stepkovic of Kragujevac, were consecrated.

During religious services in the overflowing church of the Orthodox faithful, Bishop Dositej greeted Bishop Lukijan and Bishop Joanikije after the consecration of the frescoes, wishing them welcome to the Diocese of Britain and Scandinavia. The Bishop emphasized: “I am overjoyed that the Lord has given us such great gifts: that the church in Corby has been built in six years and that the frescoes in it are the most beautiful in Great Britain after the church of Lazarica in Birmingham.”

Bishop Lukijan delivered an inspired homily to the faithful, telling them: “Joy has arrived here, too, for when we consecrated this church, the product of your efforts, two years ago, I did not believe that it would be decorated in such a short time. Your love, and first of all the love of your priest, the cross-bearing Prota Vida Vukovic whose calls you answered, has united and multiplied. The result is the completion of this beautiful holy shrine of which you can all be proud.”

Bishop Lukijan addressed the faithful who came to Great Britain from the territory of the Diocese of Osijek Polje and Baranja. Moved to tears, he warned them to never forget their native land, their family whom they left behind, their holy shrines and the graves of their ancestors. He urged them to respect the laws of the country where they live, to guard the faith of their forebears, and to regularly visit their newly built and freshly painted holy shrine.

The parish priest, caretakers and administration then prepared a banquet luncheon for the parishioners and numerous guests, including Roman Catholic vicar bishop Peter Wilson, Anglican priest Yel Lee, Corby mayor Mr. Nobel and his wife, representatives of church parishes in Great Britain, etc.

Bishop Joanikije conveyed the greetings and blessing of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle and spoke with inspiration regarding the interior beauty of the church, calling on those present to attend Holy Liturgy regularly.

The long time president of the church parish, Mr. Mile Simic, also greeted all present.

Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Slobodan Radojcic

CONSECRATION OF CHURCH FOUNDATIONS IN THE GOLIJA VILLAGE OF BOBOTOVO GROBLJE

Niksic/Cetinje, September 28 – His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic recently consecrated the foundation of a church dedicated to St. Sava in the Golija village of Bobotovo Groblje.

In addition to the Orthodox cathedral of the Holy and First Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul at Krsac, and the church under construction in Visnjica Dol, which is dedicated to St. John, the church of St. Sava in Bobotovo Groblje will be the third holy shrine in the Golija region. Its construction confirms the awakening and restoration of church and religious life throughout Montenegro, and the church of St. Sava, on the very border with Herzegovina will make fuller and more regular religious services possible not only for the local residents of surrounding villages in Golija but also neighboring municipalities of Herzegovina, the parish priest of Golija, Protopresbyter Dragan Krusic, told Radio Svetigora.

The patron endower of the church of St. Sava in Bobotovo Groblje is Miodrag Davidovic. Nikodim Zizic prepared architectural plans for the future complex, which is to include a chapel, a cemetery and a bell tower in addition to the church building. The holy church will be 16 meters high with an area of 200 square meters in the base, and will be characterized by elements of Byzantine church architecture adapted to our times. In the near future, with the revival of liturgical life in the region, the church will expand into a monastery complex.

According to Father Dragan Krusic such plans are completely justified because his experience suggests that the people of the Golija clan are returning to their faith and church with love, especially over the past few years.

Holy Liturgy will be served on the occasion of the four great fasts, as well as on the patronal feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The faithful of Golija, Protopresbyter Dragan Krusic observed, participated actively in religious services with two hundred souls partaking in the holy mystery of communion. Especially wonderful is the presence of young people. For him as the parish priest of Golija, the effort and love of other local residents represents an especial motive in his priest’s office. Although of advanced age, these people do not forget their slava and make every effort to come to the cathedral for services and communion whenever they are able.

With the construction of the church of St. Sava, noted Father Dragan, residents of Golija by the grace of God will have greater opportunity to attend Holy Liturgy in addition to the church at Krsac. It also represents an opportunity for the devout from the neighboring municipalities in Herzegovina, which confirms the unbreakable ties among the nation of St. Sava, between whom there are no borders.

Construction work on the church of St. Sava in Golija will most probably be completed during the course of November.

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

CONSECRATION OF CORNERSTONE FOR NEW CHURCH
IN VINKOVCI ON SATURDAY

On Saturday, October 1, 2005 beginning at 15:30 hours His Grace Bishop Lukijan of Osijek Polje and Baranja will consecrate the cornerstone for the construction of a new Serbian Orthodox church in Vinkovci. The church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles from 1793 was completely destroyed during the recent war.

The restoration and building of this holy shrine is taking place under the auspices of the Ministry of Seas, Tourism, Trade and Development of the Republic of Croatia as a priority project of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Bishops’ Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Croatia.

Source: Serbian Orthodox Church, Vinkovic/P. Azap

[Serbian Translation Services]