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

September 30 / October 13, 2007
Hieromartyr Gregory of Geater Armenia
No. 139
Phone 724-966-7428
Phone 304-534-5321
Phone 304-622-3681

Ephesians 1:13

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

· Fifteen people came for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on September 29, 2007. One communicant. His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN blessed the newly renovated chapel and officiated at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Father Deacon Dragolsav Kosic accompanied His Grace and served. Father Zivko Velimirovic was visiting from St. Sava Cathedral in New York City and also served. Sonia Janson and Joseph Katusa came from the St. George Choir to sing responses.

· The Holy Trinity parishioners and friends worked hard to prepare the luncheon for the Archpastoral visit of His Grace.

· Sharren Paroda spoke at the luncheon about the two year period when the chapel was being renovated.

· The return to the newly renovated chapel has improved the hopes for the future of the Mission.

· Let us remember the men and women in the military and their families.

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

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

· Remember the miners, those in law enforcement, parole and corrections and others in dangerous occupations.

· Remember the students at St. Sava School of Theology, Libertyville.

· Since the last service, one parishioner was visited in a rehab center and a friend of the parish was visited in the hospital.

From the Desert Fathers

Abba Pambo said: "If you have a heart, you can be saved.

Acts 9:36-37 - At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, the laid her in an upper room.

Peter was summoned when Dorcas died. He went into her room, knelt and prayed. She became alive. (Acts 9:39-42). Miracles happen. They still happen. Believers only need eyes to see the miracles taking place each day.

See people severely injured in accidents recover and return to productive lives. See individuals with physical limitations achieve well beyond expectations. See individuals having lost all of their material possessions in war or catastrophes begin new lives in new countries or communities.

The Epistle to the Hebrews (Chapter 11) documents lessons of faith. The Lord Jesus Christ said: "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Mt. 17:20)

Not everyone is willing to take the risk of faith. Not everyone is willing to place full faith and trust in God. Proceeding in faith is really not risky. God does not fail to honor efforts of faith. God honors believers acting in faith.

The Holy Prophet Isaiah said: "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.

Individual having abused their bodies, individuals having failed to make use of their minds and talents, can begin anew in Christ. The Holy Apostle Paul wrote: to the Ephesians: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:15-17)

Every person has talents, abilities, gifts and time from God. Each person determines whether to use his or her time, talents, resources, or gifts for the glory of God or purposes contrary to the ways of God.

Sooner or later, the results of a person's life become known. The Lord Jesus Christ said: "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." (Mt. 7:16-17)

Abuse of the body, abuse of the mind, abuse of others leads to a lack of peace and to periods of pain and discomfort. Sickness manifested in bodily ailment and in behavior has root causes. Some of the root causes are external. They may be related to the environment.

Some root causes can be connected with genetics which cause people to have certain tendencies. Choices always exist. The wise person will look to God and choose to react to illness in ways pleasing to God.

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission, Fairmont, West Virginia
September 30 / October 13, 2007

Fr. Rodney Torbic

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