FRESCOE EXHIBIT AT ST. SAVA CHURCH IN BOSTON
Boston, MA - With the blessings of His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America an exhibit of frescoes and replica-frescoes from the Serbian monasteries of Kosovo and Methohija was held at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Boston, MA.
It was yet another traditional frescoe exhibit of the students of the Serbian Orthodox Church Academy for the Arts and Preservation of Professor Goran Janicijevic. Thanks to the efforts of parish priest V. Rev. Aleksandar Vlajkovic and the Boston parishioners, this exhibit was made possible for the first time in Boston, after being in Belgrade and Munich.
The exhibit was formally opened on Friday, June 30, 2006 as Fr. Aleksandar Vlajkovic welcomed the guests from Serbia. Afterwards, Professor Goran Janicijevic spoke of the Academy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, of the exhibit dedicated to Kosovo and Metohija as well as the efforts of the students and professors of the Academy in the field of iconography, renovation and preservation of frescoes. Finally, Mrs. Silvana Hadzi Djokic spoke of the work in renovating the destroyed and damaged churches and monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija and the efforts taken by both the Serbian Church and State. As the representative of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of the Serbian Republic Mrs. Hadzi Djokic answered many questions after her lecture. Following the lecture the Boston parishioners were able to view the exhibit and speak with the professors about contemporary Serbian iconography.
The dean of the Academy, Protojerej-Stavrophor Radomir Popovic served Vespers on Saturday evening. On Sunday Fr. Radomir and Fr. Zeljko Djuric con-celebrated with Fr. Aleksandar at the Divine Liturgy. A parastos for all Serbian soldiers since the Kosovo Battle was served following liturgy. Fr. Zeljko Djuric spoke of the necessity of knowing the theological significance of the Kosovo Testament and cited the Gospel text that was directly connnected with it.
Following the service Fr. Radomir gave a lecture in the church hall on the history of the Serbian Orthodox Church with special mention of the Battle of Kosovo and the period of Turkish rule on Serbian lands. Fr. Radomir spoke of the martyrdom of Prince Lazar and the Serbian nation all of which he tied with the Christ's suffering and His resurrection. At the end of the lecture, Fr. Radomir mentioned that the answer of contemporary Christians to the challenges of this day must be evangelical since Christ is the same yesterday, today and unto all the ages of ages.
The representatives of the Academy are grateful to their hosts Fr. Aleksandar Vlajkovic, his Protinica Vera and the entire Boston parish for their Christian welcome and hospitality.
The frescoe exhibit is moving to New York where it will formally open on the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Friday, July 7, 2006 and last until Sunday, July 9th.
Ivica Cairovic