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

October 18 / October 31, 2009
Beheading of St. John the Baptist
No. 172
Phone 724-966-7428
Phone 304-534-5321
Phone 304-622-3681

Acts 15:8-9

And God Who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith.

· Three people came for Divine Liturgy on October 17, 2009.

· Today is St. Luke, the Slava of the parish for Washington D.C.

· The St. George Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania was consecrated fifty-five years ago today.

· Clergy from the Eastern Diocese attended a seminar at Shadeland this week.

· The Diocese will hold a retreat for children and youths at Shadeland beginning December 27 and concluding on December 30, 2009.

· Believers can help this Mission by being faithful believers everyday.

· Believers can help the Mission by being grateful to God for the blessings bestowed.

· Remember the men and women serving in the military each day.

· 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 and all suffering people. .

· Remember the men and women working in dangerous occupations including those in the mines and criminal justice agencies, the police, correctional officers and parole agents.

· Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers are needed in Harrison County. Support every child's right to a safe and permanent home, Contact Vesna Meinert, Volunteer Coordinator for the Harrison County CASA Program at 304-623-5749.

A Thought from The Very Reverend Protos Stavrofor Vojislav Dosenovich.

No other social organization, gathering or contact produces such a deep unity among the people as does the Divine Liturgy. And one can ask: "Why is it that way?" Because in the Divine Liturgy each person is seen and felt as an unique, unrepeated and irreplaceable being. Here each person is a spring of inexhaustible light, personality, and at the same time inexplicable mystery which is in constant search and hunger for eternity. Furthermore, that person is capable to give to other persons the joy, emanating from his (her) eyes-that joy with which itself will never be filled. Here, in such an environment, one experiences how love and eternity go together unto the life after this life.

(On the Divine Liturgy of St.John Chrysostom. Omaha, Nebraska, p. iv )

John 13:35 - By this they will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

Followers of Jesus Christ are expected to have love for one another. Love for another is evidence of being a follower of Christ. Having love for one another on a continuous basis and under various circumstances is part of the challenge of being a Christian.

To achieve and maintain love for one another requires continuous love for and unity with Jesus Christ. Only in Christ, learning from Christ, turning to Christ in prayer and for nourishment through His Precious Body and Blood can love for one another be established and maintained.

Holy Confession and Holy Communion provide the means by which believers can maintain balance, perspective and relationships consistent with the way Christ would have relationships to be.

The standards set by Christ are the highest of standards. The standards set by Christ are considered achievable. The standards set by Christ require adherence to the way of Christ.

Critics will say it is not possible to love one another. Critics will say the expectation to love one another is beyond reach. Critics will say circumstances will arise that will cast love aside and replace love with feelings other than love.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mk. 9:23). If we want to call ourselves followers of Christ, we must do our best to love one another.

To do less than our best is deceptive and dishonorable. Being a Christian carries with it the responsibility to do what is expected by Christ. The purity of belief in Christ is measured by the love shown toward others in the name of Christ.

Love for Christ is made visible in love for others. The degree to which one loves Christ will be revealed in the love shown toward others. Christ is identified with the least of the brethren (Mt. 25:31-46)

Believers must confront feelings impeding love for others and with the help of Christ address the feelings. Enemies of Christ can take great satisfaction when Christians fail to show love for one another.

Parish churches are healthier when the love for one another is dominant. Families are healthier when love for one another is dominant. Work environments are healthier when love for one another is dominant.

A person loving others genuinely in the name of Christ makes a difference. True love in the name of Christ is respected. True love in the name of Christ becomes obvious over time.

Love for one another comes as the believer loves Christ and grows in Christ. Christian love for others comes when pride and resentment are cast aside.

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission, Fairmont, West Virginia
October 18 / October 31, 2009

Fr. Rodney Torbic

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