The Orthodox Mission

Chronicle of the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission
Diocesan Bishop - His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN
Aministrator - Fr. Rodney Torbic
408 Morgantown Avenue
Fairmont, West Virginia 26544

April 30 / May 13, 2006
Holy Apostle James
No. 112
Phone 724-966-7428
Phone 304-534-5321
Phone 304-622-3681
Fax 724-966-7780

Joel 2:28-29

And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, you old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

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· Six people came on Great and Holy Friday for Royal Hours and Typica.

· The next service is scheduled for May 27, 2006.

· Let us rememeber the sick, the suffering, the imprisoned, those in care homes and rehab centers and the staffs and caretakers.

· Let us remember miners living and departed.

· Let us remember those in the military and their families.

· Let us thank God for the blessings bestowed on the Mission.

· Let us pray for continued growth and stability of the Mission.

· Let us remember the suffering Serbian People in Kosovo and Metohija.

· Let us remember the students at St.Sava School of Theology, Libertyville.

· Let us support the Shadeland Camp.

· Let us be mindful of Monastery Marcha.

· Let us remember the good friends of the Mission.

· Read the Bible daily for the benefit of your soul.

· Help the Mission by leading an Orthodox Christian life each day.

Important Dates

May 14 - Sunday of the Paralytic - Holy Prophet Jeremiah
May 15 - St. Athanasius the Great
May 19 - Transfer of Relics of St. Sava.
May 21 - Sunday of the Samaritan Woman - Holy Apostle John the Theologian
May 22 - Transfer of Relics of St. Nicholas -

From the Desert Fathers

The priest of Niria asked him how the brethren ought to live. He replied, 'With much labour, guarding their consciences towards their neighbor.'

Increased Life in Christ

What can be done for believers to increase attentiveness to the period between Pascha and the Sunday of All Saints including attention to the daily liturgical messages?

Orthodox believers face choices each day. The daily nourishment from the Church enables believers to have a foundation and criteria for the making of these choices.

Obviously daily each believer cannot spend extensive hours in Divine church services. Each believer can be attentive to the life of the Church and the daily order of the Church.

Each believer can structure his or her life to conform to the order of the Church throughout the year. Each believer can be conscious of the Church as he or she goes through each day.

Each believer can attempt to pray as deemed appropriate by the Church throughout each day. Each believer can be sensitive to the daily cycle of services of the Church and draw strength from them.

Each believer can structure his or her family life to be consistent with the life of the Church, honoring days of fasting and being knowledgeable of the meaning of each day in the life of the Church.

Each believer can examine his or her daily life and determine if the joy of the Resurrection is reflected in his or her outlook. Each believer can examine his or her life and draw strength from the message of the Resurrection proclaimed during the period from Pascha to Ascension.

Believers can make an effort to be in church on the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. Believers can make an effort to think seriously about Christ's Ascension and His glorious Second Coming.

Believers can weigh each day and measure the way each day is used. Believers can take steps to ensure each day is lived to the glory of God. Believers can heed the words of the Psalmist and number each day to gain a heart of wisdom (Ps.89/90:12)

Believers can be appreciative being given each day as a gift of God. Believers can make a determined effort to live each day to the glory of God. Believers can recall Christ upon the Cross and cherish the love of Christ demonstrated by the Crucifixion.

Believers can incorporate the love of Christ in daily life. Believers can examine themselves to determine the love of God shines forth in their hearts, their homes and their lives.

The First Epistle of St. John states: "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (I John 4:8).

Finding and maintaining the vision of the Kingdom of God on a daily basis is a challenge for believers. Living true to that vision is a challenge. Every day, every moment believers make decisions to draw closer or depart from the Kingdom.

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission, Fairmont, West Virginia
April 30 / May 13, 2006
St. James the Apostle, brother of St. John the Theologian.

Fr. Rodney Torbic

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