Professional Documents
Culture Documents
.G
OICE In this issue...
OF T EORGE
FA L L 2 0 1 0
St. George Serbian Orthodox Church Wrapping it up. Yes, we are spiraling down to the end of the first decade of the
Western American Diocese 2000s. And what a decade it has been! In 2001, we all sat horrified as we watched
of the Serbian Orthodox Church nearly 3,000 people perish before our eyes, followed by our own paranoia and
in North & South American super patriotism as our president started two terrible avenging wars. Now nine
3025 Denver Street • San Diego, CA 92117 years later, we are still at war, and travel by air has forever been changed as the
telephone: (619)276-5827
government legally shakes down, xrays, and scans us, without exception, before
web: http://saintgeorgeinsd.com
we even approach an airplane. In addition, the world has become a less hospitable
Church Officers & Staff place. Temperatures are rising. The glaciers are melting. Summers have been
PARISH PRIEST either too hot or too cold. We either have too much rain or not enough. Earth-
V. Rev. Protopresbyter Bratislav Krsic quakes and tsunami seem common place. But, we all should know very well by
email: frbratso@sbcglobal.net
now—this world is NOT our home, we are just passing through... That said, we
PARISH DEACON
Rev. Deacon Paul Germain
know you will be uplifted by the articles in this Fall 2010 issue. Father Bratso
PRESIDENT inspires us to think about new beginnings and hope with perseverance, even as
Nemanja Selezan we are reminded of how quickly life passes and we are called to meet Our Lord in
1st VICE PRESIDENT Heaven. We are reminded of the importance of attending church and teaching and
Vladan Trifunovic bringing our children to church. We are asked to become more Christlike by shar-
2nd VICE PRESIDENT & 3rd VICE PRESIDENT
ing with our neighbors in need by helping serve meals to the homeless. Then there
Dobrila Unheim & Simona Trifunovic
is stewardship and our church restoration program, with examples of both young
TREASURER
Deacon Paul Germain and old giving to keep the Lord’s work going. And last, you will be encouraged
RECORDING SECRETARY when you read the next chapter of Milanka Vlasovich’s life story of bravery and
Vera Rakic tenacity. Look up everyone. It is Fall, and today is the day the Lord has made. Be
MEMBERS-AT-LARGE happy and rejoice in it. You know you can! —Marsha Jovanovic
Vera Giles, Dejan Jovanovic, Jack Milasinovic
Contents
STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY
Lydia Petric Rhoads, Chair
AUDITING BOARD
Miro Copic, President; Sean Wright, Zeljko Milasinovic
TUTORS/VESTRYMEN Life in Christ with Perseverance and Hope 3
Mico Lukic, Ladislav Tapavcevic, Pete Dopudja, Protection of the Environment 4
Jeffrey Wilgus, Alex Sekanovic, George Skaljac, Role of the Priest in the Parish and in a Secularized Society 5
Vojkan Popovich, Miro Copic, Milan Miljkovic, Reflection from Prologue of Ohrid by St. Nikolai Velimirovic 7
Dejan Jovanovic
Reflections on youth, true happiness, poverty and wealth 8
S.S.S. ST. GEORGE CHOIR
Velimir Jovanovic, President
Five Very Good Reasons to Attend Church Weekly 9
CIRCLE OF SERBIAN SISTERS (KOLO)
The Saints 13
Sylvia Ivanovic, President Some Orthodox Terms 13
CHURCH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT Children In The Church 14
Mira Jovanovic To Those with Children 16
MORAVA FOLKLORE ENSEMBLE Gods Extended Hand—Feeding the Homeless in San Diego 16
Maria (Draskovic) Milasinovic, Director IOCC Responds to Historic Russian Heat Wave and Wildfires 17
ADULT ORTHODOX FELLOWSHIP Church Family News 18
Nemanja Selezan Kolo Sisters 21
VOICE OF ST. GEORGE
SNF Lodge #89 St. George 21
Marsha Jovanovic, Editor
Milanka’s story, Part 3: From Europe to the US via South America 22
(619)988-0650 • FAX (619)588-5767
Stole Report for Jan. 1 – August 16, 2010 25
email: marsha@marshaj.com
Notes From Lydia 26
Father Bratso, Cover art
Continuing Our Legacy 27
St. George Stewardship List 28
Fr. Bratso encourages you 30
Voice of St George Advertising Rates 30
begin anew. By our participation in the tion, and certainly the reorganization of
Life in Christ with Perseverance sacramental life of the Church (i.e., con- the dioceses in North America are just a
and Hope fession), we can erase our sins and con- few highlights accomplished during the
tinuously be renewed. The Apostle Paul Metropolitan’s presidency of the Episco-
With summer behind us, we can think in his Epistle to the Romans links this pal Council and his Archpastoral leader-
about new beginnings on many levels. hope for the glory which shall be ship of the Midwestern diocese.
Those of us entrusted with raising our revealed in us (Romans 8:18) to another
children in an Orthodox way of life think quality that should be characteristic of He spoke eloquently and lovingly to the
about a new school year, new Sunday our Christian lives—hope with persever- youth, recognizing in them the future
school educational opportunities, and ance. He states, “But if we hope for what leaders of our Serbian Orthodox Church.
perhaps changing gears from vacation we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with His words were both inspiring and
mode back to work and “busy life.” In perseverance.” (Rom 8:25) encouraging. He went on to say that each
other words, a new and fresh beginning one us is entrusted with many gifts and
is presented to us in September of each that it is up to us to recognize that and
year. utilize them in the proper way. Steward-
ship, a faithful management of our life
Similarly, our Holy Orthodox Church and possessions, is something that we are
with her calendar offers us this very called to exercise prayerfully and cheer-
same shift. The Ecclesiastical New Year fully.
or the Beginning of the Indiction is an
awesome opportunity to begin our life, Metropolitan Christopher’s earthly life
as we should every day, by renewing our has ended. We pray that his new life, a
hope in the promises of our Lord in our life in God’s everlasting Kingdom, has
salvation and eternal life with Him. The begun. The future generation will look
beginning of the Church Year is cele- upon his life and talk about the legacy
brated on September 14th (September that he left —a strong emphasis on
1st on Julian calendar). Christian education, the rediscovery of
Christian Stewardship as a total commit-
How many of us would like to have a ment to the good management of God’s
new beginning? Imagine the possibility The message of hope with perseverance gifts, the reorganization of the dioceses
of erasing your sins and starting anew. is what Metropolitan Christopher of of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North
As we approach January 1st of each New blessed memory communicated to our and South America, and an emphasis on
Year, we tend to think about making youth in the summer of 2007. I was maintaining good order in the Church,
changes to better our life and relation- assisting with the Youth Conference of the frescoes in St. Sava monastery, and
ships with God and others. It is all too the Serbian Orthodox Church in North the St. Nicholai of Zicha annual pilgrim-
common to give up on resolute changes, and South America held that year at New age at St. Sava monastery, to name just a
thinking that they in reality cannot hap- Gracanica Monastery in Grayslake. few. In short, he lived a life in Christ with
pen. Is that really so? Among other activities that week was a perseverance and hope, and that life bore
visit to St. Sava monastery and a recep- much fruit for all of us.
Our Lord Jesus Christ entered the syna- tion by His Eminence Metropolitan
gogue on September 1st and read Christopher. As we arrived at the monas- So, what does the Beginning of the
prophet Isaiah’s words: tery, the Metropolitan himself greeted us Church Year offer to us? It offers a new
with great joy. It was apparent that he beginning with hope in transformation
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon
enjoyed the presence of the young peo- into a new person whose sustenance and
Me; because the Lord hath anointed
ple of our church. In his inspiring talk, he life is Jesus Christ. It presents us with the
Me to preach good tidings unto the
meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the pointed out the many ministry opportu- opportunity to claim the Church calendar
brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to nities in our Church, the need for trusting as a main rudder for our life where activ-
the captives, and the opening of the in God’s plan for our life and salvation, ities are centered on Feast Days rather
prison to them that are bound; to and, ultimately, the necessity for hope then holidays.
proclaim the acceptable year of the with perseverance.
Lord, and the day of vengeance of our Finally, life centered on Christ is only
God; to comfort all that mourn. The Serbian Orthodox Church in North possible through perseverance, hope,
(Isaiah 61:1-2) and South America persevered as with and trust in God’s providence, knowing
God’s help she saw unity firmly planted that apart from Him we can do nothing.
These prophetic words were fulfilled in her life. The new Constitution that
that day in Christ, Who is our salvation enshrines administrative unity and pro-
and our hope. Each day He calls us to vides for the Church’s better organiza- Protopresbyter Bratso Krsic
Reflections on youth, true happiness, (clergy, youth workers, peers, et al.). us to try harder and to seek
and poverty and wealth perfection in order to gain eternal
life.
Youth, the time of life that follows child- This year the Standing Committee for
hood, is a time of vitality and freshness; Christian Education of the Serbian Poverty and wealth are one of those
a time when one feels invincible before Orthodox Church in North and South topics that we need to talk about
this fallen world. No one can deny the America chose the theme Through the more, but what’s even more important
tendency of a young person to dive into eye of a needle: poverty and wealth in is to practice what our Orthodox
the world to “experience” what it has to the Orthodox Church. Church teaches us, that is, to share
offer. Those of us who have gone what God has entrusted us with. It is
through this tumultuous period only The comments that camp goers provided important not to judge others if they
don’t share their gifts, rather say a
wish we knew then what we know now. on this theme and overall camp ministry
prayer for them so that they realize
Consequently, older people typically are encouragement for further develop-
what God gave them and that it
advise young people to slow down and ment of this very important ministry to belongs to Him after all. Especially
not rush ahead and want everything the children of our Church. during these times people seem to be
immediately. preoccupied with worries about their
The following are some of their com- wealth and money, but we should
The Church recognizes these dynamics ments: realize that the most important thing
of life and patiently points out the neces- is our relationship with God.
Poverty and wealth has to do with the
sity to have a close relationship with God
amount of live and support I have in I learned this year that being rich and
through the sacramental life of the
my life. Those who keep others away having money does not bring you
Church. The lives of saints, our Faith from Christ and His Church are poor, happiness, it actually prevents you
heroes, are great role models for those while those who practice their faith from being open to God. That’s why I
who seek true love and authentic happi- and are kind and loving are wealthy. practice my Faith, go to church and
ness. participate in events as much as I
At camp this year I learned that can. I understand that as many
In addition to youthful exuberance, the wealth isn’t about money, rather it is wealthy people there are in the world,
about what you do with it. The role there are even poorer and less
notion of acceptance or rejection is also
that faith plays in my life is the center fortunate. The ones that are more
often on the minds of young people. It
and the guideline that I live by. The fortunate could probably help even
perhaps comes from their insecurity only way to gain eternal life is to more to reduce poverty.
because of their inexperience and lack of follow our Lord each day of our lives.
knowledge. But we know true knowl- Sometimes we think that we are good,
edge comes from God, and our security moral persons, but God always wants Father Bratso Krsic
is in God. How reassuring it is to
know that our loving Lord, His
saints, and our loving Church
family are always there waiting
for any of us to start a new God-
desired relationship. All we have
to do is to seek our sustenance in
Jesus Christ, live profoundly in
Him, and of course, be patient
with the youthful tendency to
demand immediate gratification
(editor: many older people have
this same problem!).
How many of these souls attend Liturgy Who then can debate the benefits of the
on Sunday morning, and how often? The energy created when we get together Fr. Demetrios Kavadas (Reprinted from
numbers become smaller, percentage- with God in Church? Orthodox Observer, July 1994)
wise, as the number of households
increases. A house of worship with a Here are some answers that our together-
seating capacity of 500 is not filled every ness declares every Sunday morning in From the Holy Fathers
Sunday of the year. Furthermore, one Church:
wonders how many are not parish mem- The best inheritance you
1. It is great to love life. Accept life a pre-
bers and are considered “unchurched” by cious gift and strive to make the most of it. can leave your sons, the
their own volition… Is it because of Do not forget the Lord under any circum- richest dowries you can
habit? Is it because the wish to relax, stances.
sleep, golf, read the paper, go boating, prepare for your
2. It is great to serve life. The most impor-
work? Is it because they truly feel they tant thing in life is not what people can do
daughters, is a truly
do not need God or man to stay happy for you, but what you can do for people. Christian upbringing.
and healthy? Lose yourself in a cause bigger than your-
self. Serve God and humanity to the best
—Bishop Irenaius
All the above have been real situation of your ability.
that turn into second natures and strictly
And again we say: it is not only The holy maidens Faith, Hope, and
natural, psychological effects that Love, and the holy young bride Perpetua,
take place in children’s souls in who became martyrs, are witnesses to
church, but the action of grace. the fact that adolescence is an age pre-
When we, the adults, organize church Our whole concern should be that the pared even for the highest active partici-
services, make arrangements for them, soul of the baby, child, or youth should pation in Christ’s Church. The baby in
shorten or lengthen the order of service not be closed to holy impressions, but his mother’s arms in church who cried
and so on, we are accommodating our- should be freely opened; and then it will out, “Ambrose for bishop!” and by his
selves to our own concepts and needs, or no longer need effort, force or any other exclamation determined the choice of
simply convenience, understood in adult form of self-compulsion; it will be nour- the renowned Ambrose of Milan for the
terms. But in so far as the concepts, ished free1y and easily and joyfully. episcopal cathedra—this baby is a
needs and spiritual strivings of children defender of children’s rights to an active
are not taken into account, the surround- There is one thing that must not be for- participation in Christ’s Church.
ings are often not conducive towards gotten: human nature requires at least a
making children love church. This is minimal degree of active participation. And so let us take some trouble over our
nevertheless one of the most important In church this can take the form either of children: first let us give them the chance
means of religious education; let the reading, or of singing, or of decorating to take more part in church—and in a
children come to love the church, so that and cleaning the church, or of some other wider and more elevated form than just
they may always attend church with a activity, even if it is only indirectly con- giving the censer to the priest; and sec-
pleasant feeling and receive spiritual nected with the services. ondly, let us adapt ourselves somewhat
nourishment from it. And since parents to our children when praying together
often cannot help here, if only because The indisputable importance of the with them.
not infrequently they are irreligious church and of communal church services
themselves, we are often compelled, for the religious upbringing of children Let the children be conscious that they
when we think about our Orthodox chil- constitutes one of the arguments in favor are members of Christ’s family!
dren, to place this work into the hands of of the Orthodox understanding of the
the Church. mystery of Baptism: that is to say, an Let the children come to love church!
argument in favor of baptizing children
Just as we are not afraid of destroying a at a very young age, as we do in the
devotion to learning and books, or love Orthodox Church. Baptism is the door Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky
for our national literature and history by through which one enters the Church of http://holytrinity-la.org/engl/pages/
making our children come running to Christ. One who is not baptized—which bltn800/artcl3.html
class at the sound of a bell and sit at means he is not a member of Christ’s
desks, and by immersing them in an family—has no right to participate in the
atmosphere of strict discipline and com- life of this family, in its spiritual gather-
pulsion; so also, one might think, we ings and in its table—the Lord’s table.
would have no reason to be afraid of
using a certain amount of compulsion in
We’re happy to welcome you and your children to St. George What does it mean to love one’s neighbor as we love ourselves?
church! Here are some guidelines to encourage you and to set You can find an answer by visiting the shelter at God’s
you at ease: Extended Hand off 16th Street in downtown San Diego. You
will see gathered there every Wednesday our Orthodox brothers
• Relax! The Lord put the “wiggle” in children, and Jesus
and sisters serving meals to the homeless with love and joy.
showed us that He was both comfortable and pleased to be in
This isn’t an annual Lenten sacrifice or an occasional obliga-
the presence of children.
tion, but a committed effort on a regular basis to provide for
• We do have a nursery available. Please ask an usher/tutor if those who need help right here in our community.
you need assistance finding the appropriate area for your
child (children’s chapel in the narthex). Or, if you prefer, According to FOCUS (Fellowship of Orthodox Christians
your child is welcome to remain with you during the service. United to Serve), a SCOBA-sanctioned charitable organization,
• We don’t mind traffic in and out of our worship if you need there are 49 million Americans who lack adequate food. In
to come and go in order to tend to your children. 2009, the NY Times reported that hunger in the US was at a 14-
year high. We sometimes overlook the tragedy that is happening
• You might like to sit up front where your child can see in our own back yard. When you visit the shelter, you see more
more—you may also want to sit near the doors where you young families who are unable to support themselves and are
can reach the bathrooms more easily. instead living on the streets. Homelessness is no longer a con-
• We love to see parents with an arm around their child, quietly sequence of the drug addicted or mentally unstable. Hunger and
explaining anything the child might not understand**. homelessness truly is affecting regular families and people with
many different backgrounds.
• Please, bring your child forward at Communion time! If your
child is baptized, she or he is welcome to receive. If they are
God’s Extended Hand is one of the oldest shelters in San Diego,
very small, please encourage them to stand to receive.
having begun its ministry in 1924. In 2008, they served more
• There are books and children’s bulletins available at the than 84,000 meals and sheltered hundreds of homeless. A typi-
entrance (children’s chapel) for children to enjoy during cal evening meal can include 90 to 140 people. Because they are
worship. so experienced with helping the homeless and the hungry, the
• We’re glad you’re here! Please let us know if there’s atmosphere is filled with love, understanding, and God’s grace.
anything else we can do to help you feel more at home here. For some time, they have been able to provide breakfast and
dinner every day except Wednesday. That all changed when
• Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop FOCUS and a local team of faithful Orthodox decided to put a
them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God plan together to fill that gap and offer support every Wednesday
belongs.” (Luke 18.16) night.
**If you as the parent, grandparent or friend of a child are asked a
question which you aren’t able to answer, please feel free to inquire On July 14, 2010, the first dinner was served by our local Pan-
of the priest by seeking him out after the service and asking or make Orthodox faithful. Churches represented were St. Anthony
an appointment with him. Sometimes the priest may help right then Antiochian Orthodox parish, St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek
and there; he’s happy to speak with any child about any subject. Orthodox parish, St. Helen and Constantine Greek Orthodox
(Sometimes parents and other adults learn lots from these small parish, St. John of Damascus OCA, St. George Serbian Ortho-
conversations, too!)
dox parish, and St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox parish. There
were more than 28 people, including the national directors of
FOCUS, Fr. Justin Matthews and Bryan Dahms. A special guest
was also present, Theodora Polamalu with her son Paisius.
Troy Polamalu and his family are faithful Orthodox amidst
Troy’s busy schedule as a two-time Super Bowl Champion with
the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are also board members for
FOCUS North America.
May our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ see this good work
that is taking place at God’s Extended Hand. May He grant
peace to those who are hungry and food to nourish their bodies.
May He bless this ministry and bring us closer together. Amen.
Nada Pantovich
Coming to America!
Continued on page 24
US Army Transport General W.M. Black
Baptisms-Chrismation
Weddings
Funerals
...And a little child shall lead them Thomas “Tom” Dyke, a successful San
(Isaiah 11:6) Diego businessman and philanthropist,
has once again made an extraordinary
When the Continuing Our Legacy cam- gift to the St. George parish—he has
paign was launched in 2008, 90 people donated $50,000 toward the church res-
and families made three-year pledges to toration project.
support the renovation of our social hall.
A few came from young adults and chil- For old timers (those of us who have
dren. One of these children was Katarina been around St George for 30 or 40
Trifunovich, or “Kiki” as we like to call years), Tom is well known for the amaz-
her. Kiki is 12 years old and is the third ing and noble gesture he made in mem-
of four children born to Robert and ory of his wife, Donna Rose, who passed
Simona Trifunovich. away in 1974 at the age of 38. Because
she was of Serbian ancestry and a mem-
Robert and Simona have brought their this time. We are so close to completing ber of St. George Church, he chose to
children up in the Serbian Orthodox the first phase of the renovation. Every retire the debt the parish incurred to build
faith. They have created a spiritual foun- donation of time, talent, and treasure we the current building. Over the years, Tom
dation for them and guide them in the receive will help us to achieve this goal. also donated additional thousands to
basic principles of stewardship: time, tal- help complete the mosaics that adorn the
ent, and treasure. Kiki is a true steward church interior.
of St. George. You may have seen her The youngest steward
dancing with Junior Morava or working God has blessed Tom for his generosity
in the kitchen, side by side with her I'd like to welcome our newest and to our church; but Tom should not stand
mother, wearing her apron, and always youngest steward, Marko Milicevic. alone in devotion to this work, nor
with a smile on her face. Marko is one year old and is the son of should the friends and members of this
Jim and Melanie Milicevic. Marko’s parish hold back and depend on people
On the evening of our Legacy dinner, parents want to start the tradition of giv- like him to support this project. No, it is
Kiki signed her three-year pledge and ing a small donation every year from time for each of us to make our own
made her commitment to St. George. I Marko’s birthday money. They want to extraordinary contributions in love for
was so happy to see that she understood teach him a valuable lesson and teach our beloved church. Many of you already
what needed to be done at our Church him early about Stewardship and yearly have donated or pledged generously. But
and was willing to do her part in realiz- giving. They want him to learn to give not enough of you have. Please prayer-
ing our goal. back to God! fully consider making a financial com-
mittment to the renewal project.
A few months ago, I was in the kitchen at
St. Petka helping Simona prepare the Stewardship Pledge Drive is coming
meal for our Church Slava banquet. Kiki
came into the kitchen and told me that A reminder that the end of the year is
she had something for me. She was so approaching, and it is time to fulfill your
excited, grinning from ear to ear. She 2010 stewardship pledge, if you have not
handed me a small, very heavy gift bag. done so as yet. Your church should not be
Kiki had filled out the gift card on the the last thing you pay—in reality, it
bag by writing her name, address, and should be the first thing you pay. But Our
“Continuing Our Legacy.” I looked in Lord is a loving, patient God, and He
the bag and saw several rolls of coins and understands your financial situation.
some dollar bills that had been folded up Whatever you give to Him, you will
and put in a plastic bag. I immediately receive back many times over.
got a lump in my throat. Kiki was so
happy to give St. George this gift, to ful- Jim and Melanie are also expecting God bless you all.
fill more than half of her three-year another baby! Congratulations to your
pledge. But I was even happier to have family.
received it on the Church’s behalf. Lydia Petric Rhoads, Stewardship &
Continuing Our Legacy chair
I hope that we can each learn from Kiki
to give back to our Church, especially at
we do them if they want him to do so, and add their names to the
weekly prayer list.
it all. • Call him at any time; with questions, with concerns, with
suggestions. If it’s important to you, it’s important to him!