St. George
Serbian Orthodox Church
Carmichaels, PA
Historical Festal Celebration!
December 25, 2003 / January 7, 2004
For the first time in memory, the Diocesan Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated
the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels,
Pennsylvania on the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, Bishop of Eastern America, successor to the Holy Apostles
through the canonical laying on of hands, embodied the joy of the Feast when He officiated
this year at the St. George Church on December 25, 2003 according to the Church Calendar.
1
The Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ is a true feast of joy, the celebration of the
divine taking on human flesh, the celebration of Jesus Christ coming to the hearts and homes
of believers.
The St. George Church in Carmichaels is a parish of dedicated and hardworking Serbian
Orthodox Christians primarily from the counties of Greene and Fayette in Southwestern
Pennsylvania and areas of neaby West Virginia.
Divine services are held daily in the St. George Church. It was truly fitting and
exceedingly joyful for the long preparation for the Feast of the Nativity to culminate with
the presence of the Diocesan Bishop celebrating the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy lifts believers to new levels of Christian experience
each time it is served. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy radiates the presence of Christ to
immeasurable distances. The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy unites the Church Militant and the
Church Triumphant.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy transcends and unites believers from all of the centuries.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy transcends georgraphic boundaries.
When the Diocesan Bishop serves, the whole Diocese is the beneficiary of the worship
experience. His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN is steadfast and learned in holding to the
established liturgical practices of the Holy Orthodox Church.
Accompanying and assisting His Grace at the Divine Liturgy was Father Deacon Dragoslav
Kosic, Diocesan Secretary for the Eastern American Diocese. St .George Parish Priest,
Father Rodney Torbic also served. The St. George Choir was directed by Andrea Janson.
This historic visit by the Diocesan Bishop was shared with believers located in far
distances from the St. George Church, but connected by heart and spirit. For the first
time ever, the Feast of the Nativity Divine Liturgy was rebroadcast on the radio.
Tom Hunter provided the idea and necessary skills for recording of the service.
The joyful memories of this Feast are written in the hearts and minds of those present
and will remain for years to come. Mir Bozji! Hristos se Rodi! Peace of God! Christ is born!
1January 7, 2004 according to the civil calendar.