North Canton, OH - The Twenty Seventh Annual Christian Education Meeting was scheduled by His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN to be held at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Canton, Ohio on February 27, 2016.

Deanery meetings are intended for clergy and church school teachers. The intent is to focus on parish educational efforts in a learning atmosphere. The exchange of information strengthens existing efforts.

The Cleveland Deanery consists of the following parishes in Ohio: Akron(2), Canton,  Cincinnati, Cleveland(2),, Columbus, Lorain, Norton, Warren, and Youngstown(2) Parishes in the Deanery also exist in Hermitage, Pennsylvania;  Lackawanna, New York; and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. St. Mark Monastery in Sheffield, Ohio and Monastery Marcha in Richfield, Ohio are also located in the Deanery.

Host priest Reverend Father Aleksa Pavichevich warmly welcomed the meeting participants. Very Reverend  Dr. Zivojin Jakovljevic , Dean of the Cleveland Deanery, spoke of the challenge of getting youths involved.

Reverend Father Bosko Stojanovic was designated by His Grace to be the featured speaker. Father Stojanovic’s well-developed timely presentation was entitled: “The Church at Risk: Meeting the Challenging Needs of Teenagers.”  The presentation focused on the Church’s concern, message, ability to help, leadership and effective ministry. A healthy discussion ensued.

Oral and written reports of participating parishes added depth and breadth to the meeting. Participants in addition to His Grace, Father Jakovljevic,  Father Pavichevich and Father Stojanovic were: Very Reverend Stavrophor Djorde Mileusnic, Very Reverend Milan Medakovich, Very Reverend Mijoljub Matic, Reverend Father Dejan Obradovic, Reverend Father Milan Pajic, Reverend Father Isak Kisin, Reverend Father Milan Katanic, Reverend Father Dragan Goronjic, Reverend Father Sinisa Hravacevic, Reverend Father Vladislav Golic, Reverend Father Deacon Larry Soper, Sister Anastasia, Mira Lazich, Mile Andjelkovich, Rajko Radonjich. 

His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN cited the influence of priests’ children on others. His Grace said adult classes should be held in parishes. The question was asked as to how children were educated. Do we educate the mind? Do we educate the heart? A man having strong faith, having faith stronger than interest in a job that went against his beliefs was an example given by His Grace.

The hospitality of Father Aleksa Pavichevich, the Canton parish and participants in the meeting were gratefully acknowledged. The Deanery meetings are valuable in stressing the importance of  parish Christian Education.

Article by Father Rodney Torbic