EASTERN DIOCESE HOLDS THIRD ANNUAL
NATIVITY FAST RETREAT
Shadeland, Pa - The Third Annual Nativity Fast Retreat was held at St. Sava Camp-Shadeland held December 28-30, 2008. Participants began arriving in late afternoon. Vespers were served followed by a welcoming dinner.
The Sunday evening program began with Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rade Merick conducting a a “get to know each other” session,. Father Merick was instrumental in planning the retreat.
Following the opening session, Zelkja Vignjevich gave presentation on camps for the needy in Serbia. The presentation was on refugee camps, and Vlade Divac's humanitarian organization which is building houses for the refugees. Afterwards, a video on the Nativity of the Nativity of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, from the Gospel of St. Luke was shown.
On Monday Prota Rade Merick. Prota Djokan Mastorovich and Protonamesnik Zivojin Jakovljevic gave talks throughout the day on the retreat theme “Born to Serve.”
On Monday afternoon the retreat participants were challenged as teams on their knowledge of the Bible as they attempted to identify Bible verses.
His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, a Bible professor and scholar joyfully helped the children and youth work on identifying the Bible verses in the team exercises.
Time for basketball, a hike around the grounds, table games and some craft activities were interspersed during the talks on Monday.
Morning prayers ,Vespers and Evening prayers were part of the schedule on Monday for all in attendance . Confessions were heard prior to Vespers.
Following the evening meal, His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN spoke with the children and youth about the meaning of the Feast of the
Nativity.
The participants also could ask His Grace questions. Many of the questions reflected deep thoughts on the part of the young questioners.
Protopresbyter Stavrofor Rastko Trbuhovich held an instructional session on church music on Monday evening that included the singing of songs associated with the Feast of the Nativity of Christ.
Protopresbyter Djokan Majstorovich completed the evening program with a slide narration of his recent trip to Russia to visit monasteries and
Churches.
On Tuesday morning the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Dr.MITROPHAN with Father Trbuhovich and Father Merick also serving.
Great joy was experienced in seeing a very large number of communicants during the Holy Divine Liturgy.
Additional clergy in attendance for all or part of the retreat or coming for the clergy family gathering that immediately followed the retreat included: Protopresbyter Aleksandar Vlajkovich, Protopresbyter Ivan Marjanovic, Protopresbyter Dragomir Tuba, Protonamesnik Rajko Kosic, Protonamesnik Milovan Katanic, Father Dejan Obradovic and Father Deacon Dragoslav
Kosic.
Protinicas and Popadijas in attendance for all or part of the retreat or the clergy gathering included:Protinica Vera Vlajkovich, Protinica Mirjana Majstorovic, Protinica Marjanovic, Protinica Kristina Tuba, Popadija Vera Kosic,Popadija Georgia Jakovljevic, Popadija Tatiana Katanic and Djakonitsa Rosandra Kosic.
Millie Radovick, President of the Eastern Region-Federation of Circles of Serbian Sisters oversaw the meal preparations for the retreat. Dee Dee Baskot, Vice President of the Eastern Region KSS participated in the advance preparations.
Brian Hayden registered the participants as they arrived. Counsellors included Amanda Bilak, Alexis Vranesevic, Stevan Majstorovic, and Nicholas Korach. College student volunteers included Alex Ostojich and Zachary Krieger.
Representation at the retreat from the Eastern Diocese came from Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. One participant came from Canada.
The retreat registered as substantial increase in the number of participants from the Eastern Diocese from the previous year. His Grace Bishop Dr.MITROPHAN expressed sincere appreciation to the children and youths that came, to the clergy, clergy wives, the KSS President, the counselors and volunteers, to all that helped in any way with the retreat.
Fr. Rodney Torbic