Palm Sunday Lenten Vespers in Lorain, Ohio

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Irinej, faithful Orthodox Christians from throughout the Cleveland Deanery gathered at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Lorain, Ohio, to celebrate their final Deanery Lenten Vespers of the season.

Host-priest Fr. Sinisa Hrvacevic warmly greeted his brethren for service, including his neighbor Fr. Leontije (Alavanje) of St. Mark Monastery; Fr. Maxim (Ilic) of New Marcha Monastery; Fr. Dragan Goronjic of St. Demetrius Church, and Dean of Cleveland; Fr. John Amedico, a local retired Orthodox priest; Fr. Mioljub Matic of St. Sava Church; Fr. Aleksa Pavichevich of St. George in Canton; and Fr. Protodeacon Ljubisa Mitrovic of St. Sava Church.

A wonderful meal was provided by the faithful of the St. George parish with many members of the Kolo and the Parish Council diligently serving their guests as gracious hosts. The hall was beautifully decorated and almost filled to capacity. The highlight of the meal was wonderful, homemade chorba prepared by Popadija Jovana.

The evening's lecture was offered by Fr. Dragan Goronjic on the topic of "Prayer". He began with a powerful quote by Fr. Thomas Hopko, of blessed memory, that framed prayer as:  "the genuine seeking of the one true God in order to discover His will in order to do it."  Throughout the lecture, he not only expounded upon that quote but also offered the concept of prayer as a dialogue in which we faithful must learn to listen - not just speak.

All those in attendance enjoyed the fellowship, lecture, and tremendous hospitality of the Lorain, Ohio St. George Serbian Orthodox community.

Source: Eastern American Diocese