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Sunday of the Last Judgment
Meatfare Sunday
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Христос Међу Нама! Christ is in our midst! Cristo esta' entra nosotros! | |
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Homily on the Sunday of
the Last Judgment
Archbishop Anthony of Sourozh
In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Today, on our preparation journey towards Lent, we have come to the ultimate stage: we are confronted with judgment. If we pay attention to it, next week our spiritual destiny will be in our own hands, because next week is the Sunday of Forgiveness.
The link between these two days is too obvious. If we only could become aware that each and everyone of us stand before the judgment of God and the judgment of men, if we could remember and realize profoundly, wholeheartedly, and earnestly that we are, all of us, indebted to each other, that we are all responsible to each other for some of the pain and the heaviness of life, then when we are asked to forgive we would find it easy not only to forgive, but in response to this request, to ask for forgiveness ourselves.
It is not only by what we do, not only by what we leave undone, but by this extraordinary lack of awareness of our responsibility, of what we could be to others and do for others, that we do not fulfill our human vocation. We could, and we should, on all levels and for all men, and beyond men for the whole world that is ours, be a blessing and a revelation of things so great, so deep that people, first of all we ourselves, could realize that we are on the scales of God Himself; that our vocation is not only to be morally good, but to be as great as God. A mystic of Germany said in one of his poems “I am as great as God, God is as small as I.”
If we only could remember this. This is why the judgment is not only a moment when we are confronted with the danger of condemnation; there is in the very notion of judgment something great and inspiring. We are not going to be judged according to human standards of behavior and decency. We are going to be judged according to standards that are beyond ordinary human life. We are going to be judged on the scales of God, and the scales of God are love: not love felt, not an emotional love, but love lived and accomplished. The fact that we are going to be judged, that indeed we are being judged all the time, above our means, beyond all our smallness, should reveal to us our potential greatness. And the parable that we have read today can be seen in those very terms: in His parable, Christ judges men on their humanity. Have these men been human or not? Have they known how to love—first in their hearts, but also in action, in their very deeds; because as Saint John the Theologian puts it, one who says that he loves God and does not love his neighbor actively and creatively is a liar. There is no love of God if it is not expressed in every detail of our relationship with men, with people and with each person.
And so, let us this week prepare ourselves for the final stage of our journey by asking ourselves in the face of this divine judgment, “Am I human? Am I human within myself, in my behavior—not my general attitude, but my ways: are they human? Is my life an expression of a fine, a thoughtful, perceptive, creative, and at times generous and a sacrificial love?” As the object of love is the test of this love, it must be my neighbor, for it is too easy to love God Who asks for nothing.
And if in the course of this week we find where we belong, we find both our shortcomings and the greatness of our vocation; if we make our peace with those to whom we are indebted, then when the time comes to forgive, when someone else will have made the same discovery, we will be able with joy to give peace and forgiveness out of a sense of responsibility, and the creative joy of repentance. Amen.
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Commemorating Hieromartyr Haralambos Bishop of Magnesia in Thessaly, the Martyrs Porphyrius and Baptus and 3 women Martyrs, Virgin Martyrs Ennatha, Valentina and Paula of Palestine, Synaxis of the Hierarchs of Novgorod buried in the Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom in Novgorod, Princess Anna of Novgorod, Venerable Prochorus of the Kiev Near Caves, Venerable Longinus of Koryazhemsk Vologda, St John Chimchimeli the Philosopher, St Ioannikios Father Confessor of the Dormition Holy Mountain Hermitage
RESURRECTION TROPARION—TONE 2
When You descended to death, O Life Immortal, You destroyed hell with the splendor of Your Godhead. And when from the depths You raised the dead, all the powers of heaven cried out: “O Giver of life, Christ our God, glory to You!”
HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS TROPARION—TONE 4
Truly you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith, an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence; your humility exalted you; your poverty enriched you. Hierarch Father Nicholas, entreat Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
LENTEN TRIODION KONTAKION—TONE 1
When You, O God, shall come to earth with glory, all things shall tremble, and the river of fire shall flow before Your judgment seat; the books shall be opened, and the hidden things disclosed; then deliver me from the unquenchable fire, and make me worthy to stand at Your right hand, O Righteous Judge!
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~Scripture Readings of the Day~ | |
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READERS:
This Week: Matins: Nick Ressetar Epistle: Teddy Sukhernik
Next Week: Matins: Lenny Tepsich Epistle: Jovan Milanovich
EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 8:8-9:2
DEACON: Let us pay attention.
PRIEST: Peace be unto all!
READER: And with your spirit!
DEACON: Wisdom.
READER: The Prokeimenon in the Third Tone: Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, His understanding is beyond measure.
CHOIR: Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, His understanding is beyond measure.
READER: v: Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God!
CHOIR: Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, His understanding is beyond measure.
READER: Great is our Lord, and abundant in power.
CHOIR: His understanding is beyond measure.
DEACON: Wisdom!
READER: The Reading is from the First Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians
DEACON: Let us attend!
READER: Brothers and Sisters, but food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
PRIEST: Peace be unto you, reader!
READER: And with your spirit! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Come, let us rejoice in the Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to God our Savior!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
READER: Let us come before His face with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!
CHOIR: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
АПОСТОЛ: 1 Коринћанима 8:8-9:2
Ђакон: Пазимо
Свештеник: Мир свима!
Читач: I Духу Твоме!
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач : ПРОКИМЕН- глас 3 Велик је Господ наш и велика је крјепост Његова, и разуму Његовом нема мјере.
Хор: Велик је Господ наш и велика је крјепост Његова, и разуму Његовом нема мјере.
Читач: Хвалите Господа, јер је слатко пјевати Бога нашега, јер Благоме доликује хвала.
Хор: Велик је Господ наш и велика је крјепост Његова, и разуму Његовом нема мјере.
Читач: Велик је Господ наш и велика је крјепост Његова,
Хор: и разуму Његовом нема мјере.
Ђакон: Премудрост
Читач: Читање је од Прве посланице Светог апостола Павла до Коринћана
Ђакон: Пазимо
Читач: Браћо, јело нас не поставља пред Бога: јер нити добијамо ако једемо, нити губимо ако не једемо. А чувајте се да како ова ваша слобода не постане спотицање слабима. Јер ако тебе, који имаш знање, види неко гдје сједиш за трпезом у идолском храму, неће ли се савјест његова. зато што је слаб, охрабрити да једе идолске жртве? И због твога знања пропада слаби брат, за којега Христос умрије. А тако, гријешећи се о браћу и рањавајући њихову слабу савјест, о Христа се гријешите. Зато, ако јело саблажњава брата мојега, нећу јести меса до вијека, да не саблазним брата својега. Нисам ли апостол? Нисам ли слободан? Зар нисам видио Исуса Христа, Господа нашега? Нисте ли ви дјело моје у Господу? Ако другима нисам апостол. али вама јесам, јер сте ви печат мојега апостолства у Господу.
Свештеник: Мир свима Читачу!
Читач: I Духом Твоме! Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Ходите, запјевајмо Господу, покликнимо Богу Спаситељу нашем.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
Читач: Изађимо пред лице Његово с хвалом, ускликнимо му у пјесмама.
Хор: Алилуиа, Алилуиа, Алилуиа
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LITURGY GOSPEL:
Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ’for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ’I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ’When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ’Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ’for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ’I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’
Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
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ЈЕВАНЂЕЉЕ:
Матеј 25: 31-46
А када дође Син Човјечији у слави својој и сви свети анђели са њим, тада ће сјести на пријесто славе своје. И сабраће се пред њим сви народи, и разлучиће их једне од других као пастир што разлучује овце од јаради. И поставиће овце са десне стране себи, а јарад са лијеве. Тада ће рећи Цар онима што му стоје са десне стране: Ходите благословени Оца мојега; примите Царство које вам је припремљено од постања свијета. Јер огладњех, и дадосте ми да једем; ожедњех, и напојисте ме; странац бијах, и примисте ме; Наг бијах, и одјенусте ме; болестан бијах, и посјетисте ме; у тамници бијах, и дођосте ми. Тада ће му одговорити праведници говорећи: Господе, када те видјесмо гладна, и нахранисмо? Или жедна, и напојисмо? Кад ли те видјесмо странца, и примисмо? Или нага, и одјенусмо? Кад ли те видјесмо болесна или у тамници, и дођосмо ти? И одговарајући Цар, рећи ће им: Заиста вам кажем: кад учинисте једноме од ове моје најмање браће, мени учинисте. Тада ће рећи и онима што му стоје с лијеве стране: Идите од мене, проклети, у огањ вјечни који је припремљен ђаволу и анђелима његовим. Јер огладњех, и не дадосте ми да једем; ожедњех, и не напојисте ме; Странац бијах, и не примисте ме; наг бијах, и не одјенусте ме; болестан и у тамници бијах, и не посјетисте ме. Тад ће му одговорити и они говорећи: Господе, када те видјесмо гладна или жедна, или странца или нага, или болесна или у тамници, и не послужисмо ти? Тада ће им одговорити говорећи: Заиста вам кажем: кад не учинисте једноме од ових најмањих, ни мени не учинисте. И ови ће отићи у муку вјечну, а праведници у живот вјечни.
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~ The Week Ahead: Scriptures and Services ~ | |
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~Prayers for the Faithful~
In Our Prayers
Newly Illumined Bowen William Hook, his parents and sponsors, Metropolitan Paul, Archbishop Youhanna, Protinica Ljubica Jockovic, Protopresbyter Rodney Torbic, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Ilija Balach, V. Rev. Protostavrofor Joseph Fester, Popadija Sara Golic, Matushka Barbara Ealy, the child Katie Elizabeth and her parents Mileva and Michael Repasky, the child Metodija and his parents Fr. Dn. Milan and Mira Damljanovic, the child Louise Bare and her parents Zachary & Elizabeth, the child Penelope and her parents, Alex and Michelle Dowd, Catherine Lewis and the newborn Caleb Ereno, Mara Bebeau and the newborn Jacob, Jessica Crowe and the newborn Maverick Archer, Emma Howell and the child to be born of her, Bethany Peterson and the child to be born of her, Louise, Tony & infant of God Zayne, Michelle Adams, Addy Andy, Lori Bare, Elijah Barnett, Christina Berchock, Dori & Doug Bert, Jonathan Bertsch, Carole Blitva, Stephan and Barbara Blitva, Walter “Bud” Brown, Guiliana & Aleksandar Carricato, Maria Chigrintseva, Susan & Jim Cibort, Leann Cox, Victoria Cox, Tommy & Kara (Blitva) Dorsey, Edward Dry, JoAnn Filepas, Anaya Garvin, Eric Garvin, Christian & Melanie Geib, Michael Geppert III, Dr Andrea Govelovich, Nick & Terry Govelovich, Kata Gruich, George Gutshall, Dan Hazlett, Travis Heilman, Adam Herigan, Edith Herigan, Kay Himes, Nicole Stefan Imschweiler, Susan Jacobs, Slobodan Jovicic, Tony Kepp, Myong Sook Kim, Caryn Kiraly, Dorothy Krnjaich, Dragica Kuzmanovic, Henry Laichak, Peter Lalic, Dragan Lalovic, Stella Wren Lappas, Sue Leis, Jovan Lemajic, Dick Livingston, Maggie Livingston, Boro Lojpur, John Luksic, Stephen Lundingrin, Penny MacDonald, Dianne & Jim Martin, Jean & Paul Martin, Rowan Martin, Jack McFall, George Milakovic, Marija Miljkovic, Daria Milletics, Rosanda Mitrovic, Diane & Slobodan Momic, George Myers, Patty Navarro, Bosiljka Ninkovic, Jenny Moore Oliver, Lila Packer, Daniel Paddock, Vid & Marica Pejcic, Hope Pesner, Kobe Petrovich, Duke & Sue Petrovich, Tracy Petrovich, Milena Pilipovic, Christopher Radanovic, Logan Roszkowski, Chloe Ruff, Michael Schaffner, Maryann Seiders, Greg Selman, Steven Semic, Benjamin Shaffer, Tessa Shaffer, John Sheaffer, Milan Shumkaroff, Branko Smitran, Zorka Starcevich, Tim Stefan, Michael Stepanovich, Stevan & Mary Stojic, Patricia & Joseph Sypniewski, Linda Szeerba, Leonard Tepsich, Leroy Tepsich Jr, Savka Trivun, Edie & Michael “Bo” Venesevich, Michael Vishnesky, Rita Vorkapich, Kristina Vukalo, Steve Vulich, Paula Werner, Draga Worman, Tosh Yanich, Dewey Yetter, Mila “Millie” Yezdimir, Marija Zabrodnaya, Jason Zeigler, Ashley Ziobrowski, Miriam “Mim” Codan Ziolkowski, the unworthy presbyter Christopher Rocknage
Those Who Need Special Care
ECUMENICAL (COUNTRY MEADOWS) Jane Rush, HOMELAND: Draga Donato; MASONIC HOME: Ray Foltz; RS: Cedo Lukic
Those to be Baptized
Caleb Ereno Lewis, Barrett Scott, Nora & Maeve Van Huysen, Sloane & Šeren York, Jacob Bebeau
Our College Students
Sophia Adams, Cameron Barber, Kyle Barber, Michael Geppert, Anastasija Gligorevic, Natalija Gligorevic, Cayden Healy, Matthew Hoover, Kalei Howard, Faith Kingsbury, Sophia Mummert, Kobe Petrovich, Christina Radanovic, Luis Antonio Radanovic, Madison Vorkapich, Anastasija Vukalo
Our Seminary Students
Elizabeth Bare
Our Dearly Departed Loved Ones
Archbishop Anastasios, Peter Mrgich, Katherine Radoicich, Vladimir Djordjic, Vasil Mihailoff, Fyodor Kochnev, Donald Semic, Alexandra “Soni” Dimond Martorano, Julian Naumenko, Eleni Ziogas, Miloš Balać
~Vigils Offered~
MIKEY YORK Offered in celebration of his birthday (Feb 24). May God grant you Many Years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Given with much love from Baba Kata & family.
JANET KRNJAIC Offered in celebration of her birthday (Feb 24). God’s blessings for many more healthy happy years! Mnogaja Ljeta! Kat and family.
DYLAN PETERSON Offered in celebration of our Dylan’s birthday (Feb 28). God’s blessings for many more healthy, happy and successful years! Mnogaja Ljeta! With all our love, your Babi, your daddy and Djedo in heaven & the whole family.
TOOTSIE KRNJAICH Offering vigils and prayers for our Kuma Tootsie. May God’s blessings be with her during her rehab period. From her Godchildren, Kat and families.
MICHAEL GEPPERT Offered prayerfully by Mom & Dad for improvement in health and God’s blessings and loving care during his recovery.
†ALEXANDER, †AGAFIA, †YURIY, †TAISIYA, †GRIGORIY, †TATYANA, †IVAN, †TATYANA, †FEODOR Offered by Katya Kotchneva and family as they remember and pray for their deceased Orthodox Christian relatives. Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
†DEE (GRUICH) BRESKI Offered by her loving family in remembrance of her repose (17 years—Feb 29). Vjecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!
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Please continue to pray for all of those currently being persecuted for Christ's sake in Kosovo, Metohija, Montenegro, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Egypt, the Sudan, China, North Korea, for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ suffering throughout the world, especially in Ukraine, that they might be comforted with the Joy of our Lord, and for all of those suffering from the pandemic, for those who minister, and for those who are unjustly persecuted that they may be strengthened by the love of Christ which knows no race.
We also pray for the Orthodox clergy in Alaska, that the Lord might grant them more than enough to feed their families.
LET US PRAY TO THE LORD!
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Stewardship Offering Information
Date 2/16/2025
Collection: $1,873.00
Date 2/9/2025
Collection: $2,880.00
Date 2/2/2025
Collection: $8,343.00
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Remaining February Birthdays
Janet Krnjaic (Feb 24), Michael York (Feb 24), Natasha Milanovich (Feb 26), Steve Cashman (Feb 27), Emma Howell (Feb 28), Alan Radanovic (Feb 28)
Remaining February Anniversaries
Ferris & Jody Atty (Feb 28)
March Birthdays
Ruth Yovanovich (Mar 1), Gregory Yanich (Mar 1), Karen Stefan (Mar 2), Matea Jovic (Mar 3), Dasha Gencturk (Mar 4), Alex Bazdar (Mar 5), Nick Ressetar (Mar 7), Eric Garvin (Mar 8), Kirsten Geib (Mar 10), Monroe Semic (Mar 10), Sylvia Velencia (Mar 11), Stephani Yanich (Mar 13), Millie Trayer (Mar 14), Vega Stevenson (Mar 14), Tootsie Krnjaich (Mar 16), Donna Carricato (Mar 18), Tosha Yanich (Mar 19), Natalija Gligorevic (Mar 19), Rohan Radanovic (Mar 19), Palmer Semic (Mar 19), Mileva Jovic (Mar 21), Danielle Van Huysen (Mar 21), Protinica Carole Balach (Mar 22), Val Radosevich (Mar 26), Anastasija Vukalo (Mar 27), Ava Kingsbury (Mar 28), Zorka Starcevich (Mar 29), Beba Yanich (Mar 30), Blagica Raic (Mar 30), Clark Filepas (Mar 30), Mya Rose Petrovich (Mar 30), Mitch Matovich (Mar 31)
March Anniversaries
Igor & Brankica Skinder (Mar 21)
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LENTEN RETREAT—APRIL 5
Our parishioners have early access to sign up for the Lenten Retreat on April 5. There will be onsite childcare available and lunch will be provided. Starting this week, registration will open up to all other parishes. Call or email the office at 717.939.3872 or office@stnicholassteelton.org to reserve. Space is first come, first served, so please reserve your space today!
THE SAINTS OF OUR FRESCOES (ADULT EDUCATION)
Our adult education class continues today Sunday, February 23 after Church with the Serbian Saints (Part II): Vidovdan and Serbian Christianity under the Ottoman Yoke. Come learn more about the saints that are depicted on the icons in the Church. Mrs. Martha Rakowski, Th.M., will be teaching the lives of these wondrous saints—many of whom we call our patrons!
SOTAYA GIFT CARD FUNDRAISER
Thinking of a gift for someone, a special occasion, birthday or a reward for yourself? Gift cards are a good choice! And there is no need to go to the store, SOTAYA is selling Texas Roadhouse and Darden Restaurant Group cards (which includes Olive Garden, Longhorn, Cheddar’s, Yard House, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52) at a face value of $50. Just see any SOTAYA member or Sladjana for a purchase. Thanks for your support!
HOUSE BLESSING 2025 POSTPONED (SIGNUP FOR BLESSING)
Due to ongoing recovery, Father Christopher will be postponing house blessings until he is able to walk unassisted. Notification will be given once this is possible. If you would like to be put on the list for House Blessing notification, please let Daria know (call 717-939-3872 or email office@stnicholassteelton.org). Thank you for understanding.
2025 ORGANIZATIONAL DUES
To pay your 2025 dues (or if you still owe 2024 dues) please see Daria Milletics for KSS/Mothers Club, Jovanka Shaffer for Seniors, Jason Milletics for Choir and Protinica Andreja for Serb Club.
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PLEASE HELP - BETHESDA MISSION WOMEN’S SHELTER OUTREACH
On the second Saturday of every month (the next one is this Saturday, March 8th), volunteers from our four Orthodox churches prepare and serve lunch for shelter residents. In March, Holy Apostles Orthodox Church is hosting. We also help with various projects and activities that assist with shelter operations. If anyone would like to volunteer or learn more about this important program, please contact Andrea Gunther.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 9 am until noon. You may call the office during these hours at (717) 939-3872 or come by the office in person. Office hours will be adjusted when services are occurring during those hours.
BULLETIN DEADLINE
Please send all Bulletin Requests to the Church Office at office@stnicholassteelton.org
You may also call (717) 939-3872
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February Charity
St Sava School of Theology -- Libertyville IL
St. Sava School of Theology is named in memory of St. Sava, the first archbishop, teacher and enlightener of the Serbian people. On January 26th we celebrated St. Sava’s Day and it is fitting that we also offer support to the theological seminary in the US named for him. The main mission and goal of the school is to provide religious education and train candidates for the Holy Priesthood in the Serbian Orthodox Church specifically as well as interested Orthodox Christian individuals of other ethnic jurisdictions. St. Sava School is the educational center for individuals committed to serving the Serbian Orthodox Church and her people in a multi-lingual environment. The school presently offers study leading to the Bachelor of Divinity Degree. Graduate level programs of study are also being developed at the School and in conjunction with other institutions. Funding is provided by an annual budget proposed by the School and adopted and implemented by the Central Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the US and Canada. Financial support is sought from all the Serbian Orthodox Dioceses and church congregations. More information about the School’s programs, plans and course of study may be found at the diocesan website at the following link: http://www.serborth.org/education.html
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WHERE ARE YOU, ADAM? (SHOWING TODAY!!!)
Orthodox Movie on monastic life is being shown at the Annville Theater on Sunday, February, 23, 2025 at 3:00pm. After the movie, all are welcome for fellowship and a Q&A session at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, PA. Tickets are available for $15.00 payable to Holy Resurrection Church.
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