CONSECRATION OF CHURCH AT SHADELAND
Shadeland, PA -
Anticipation for this year’s Diocesan Day on August 8, 2010 at
Shadeland was building for months.The Dormition of the Most Holy Mother
of God Church was finally going to be completed and consecrated. His
Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN traveled regularly from the time construction
began to view the progress and ensure all was going well. The Monastery
of the Most Holy Mother of God at Shadeland was moving to a new level
of development.
This year the camp season experienced
increased enrollment and the camp season was increased by a week.
Diocesan Day represents the culmination of the camp season and is a
highlight as the campers fill the church for the Hierarchical Divine
Liturgy. Great Vespers were celebrated on Saturday evening August 7 as a
prelude and preparation for the historic day that would follow on
August 8, 2010. When Sunday arrived, His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN and
His Grace Bishop LONGIN of the Midwest-New Gracanica Diocese officiated
at the consecration and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Twenty-nine priests
and six deacons served with the hierarchs.
During the Divine
Liturgy, Diocesan Secretary Deacon Dragoslav Kosic was ordained as a
Presbyter to the Holy Priesthood. The Dormition of the Most Holy Mother
of God Church was filled with campers, their families and faithful from
throughout the Diocese. Six priests were in attendance in addition to
those serving bringing the number of clergy in attendance to a record
number. Monastery Marcha was represented as well as parishes throughout
the Diocese. Milan Damjanovic directed the choir that was assembled.
Campers joined in the singing on this momentous day.
During the
afternoon program the campers danced and sang in joy as they
demonstrated the learning taking place during the Tambura Week leading
up to Diocesan Day. God blessed the Diocese with the newly consecrated
church and with beautiful facilities at Shadeland. His Grace Bishop Dr.
MITROPHAN, the Diocesan clergy, the Diocesan Council, the Eastern Region
KSS Federation and the faithful of the Diocese are working with due
serious to develop the Most Holy Mother of God Monastery and St. Sava
Camp at Shadeland. This Diocesan Day was a day of great wonder and glory
given by God and through the intercession of the Mother of God.
Thanksgiving and glory were given to God and the Most Holy Mother of God
many times during this Diocesan Day which will be remembered for years
to come.
V. Rev. Rodney Torbic