Lenten Vespers in Youngstown on Sunday of St. John of the Ladder
Youngstown, OH - The Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, Ohio (Racoon Road) hosted the Lenten Vespers on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, the Sunday of St. John of the Ladder.
V. Rev. Stavrophor Dragan Filipovic was the evening's homilist. He reminded all those gathered for the evening service that with the following day we embark upon the fifth week of fasting, meaning if we have not done well at fasting thus far we have three weeks remaining. He called upon all to take these days seriously and wisely that we all might worthily and joyously await the great feast of the Lord's Resurrection. Fr. Dragan also spoke earnestly about the gifts we offer to God, emphasizing that when we give something it is no longer ours. Hence, the arguments over church property must always be seen in this point of view, that we have offered all of this to God and dedicated to His glory, not our own.
V. Rev. Stavrophor Janko Rajlich, dean of the Cleveland Deanery, led the evening service. Also serving at the holy altar were V. Rev. Stavrophor Zvonimir Kotorcevich, V. Rev. Dragomir Tuba, Protonamesnik Milovan Katanic, Rev. Dragan Goronjic, the host priest and Deacon Milan Medakovic.
A lenten dinner was prepared by the hard working ladies from the Holy Trinity parish.