The St. George Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania has a history of hosting Lenten Vespers on the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent. St. Mary of Egypt is very dear to the parish and has been a continued blessing through the years.

Parish priest, Protopresbyter Sasha Nedic spoke with great joy to all in attendance on Sunday evening, April 2, 2023, at the conclusion of Vespers. Father Sasha said St. Mary of Egypt fills St. George Church every year.

Faithful from throughout the Pittsburgh Deanery attended the service. Clergy participating in addition to Father Sasha included: Episcopal Deputy Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Rade Merick, representing His Grace Bishop Irinej,

Dean Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Stevan Rocknage, Protopresbyters-Stavrophors Dr. Rodney Torbic and Rajko Kosic, Protopresbyters Dejan Barac, Rumen Stoychev and George Veselinovic, Presbyter-Economos Branislav Golic; Presbyter Dragan Dragan Vukovic and Deacons Daniel August and Mark Matejevich. Reader John Buffalini and Stevan Kosic assisted in the Altar.

The choir of St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in McKeesport sang the inspiring responses.  Chanters from McKeesport and Carmichaels seamlessly rendered antiphonal chanting of the Vesperal vesrses. Father Dejan Barac gave an extensive homily on the life of St. Mary of Egypt which detailed her great transformation from being an active sinner to becoming a renowned saint celebrated throughout the Orthodox Church.

Following the service, Father Sasha invited all the attendees to partake of Lenten meal in the church hall. The Circle of Serbian Sisters under the leadership of President Sonia Janson served the hall full of guests. St. George Church Executive Board President Stan Brozik and all the faithful members of the Board were in attendance.

The Lenten services in the Deanery nourish the faithful and serve to unite and strengthen the Deanery parishes. Repentance is the common theme of Great Lent and certainly St. Mary of Egypt exemplifies repentance.

St. George Church in Carmichaels has a long history of hospitality  The parish is always grateful to host the Lenten Vespers and is appreciative of the clergy and faithful making the drive to be present.

God has blessed St. George Church abundantly. The parish continues to glorify and worship the Lord Jesus Christ. The parish is strengthened each year when clergy and faithful of the Pittsburgh Deanery join together in Great Lent.

Thank God for this wonderful evening. Thank the clergy and faithful attending. Thank Father Sasha Nedic and the St. George parishioners for the wonderful hospitality.

Father Rodney Torbic