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

March 7 / March 20, 2010
Holy Seven Hieromartyrs of Cherson
No. 176
Phone 724-966-7428
Phone 304-534-5321
Phone 304-622-3681

Romans 8:9

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

· Fourteen people came for the Divine Liturgy on March 6, 2010. Seven communicants.

· Donations are being accepted for the suffering in Haiti. Contributions may be made out to Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church or the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America.

· April 15, 2010 will be the Tenth Anniversary of the Holy Trinity Mission being established in the Eastern American Diocese.

· 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.

· Visitors are always welcome at the church services. Bring a friend or relative the next time you come.

· Next service will be on Great and Holy Friday, April 2, 2010 at 9:00 AM.

Important Dates

March 21 - Fifth Sunday of Great Lent 5:30 PM. Deanery Lenten Vespers at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Carmichaels.
March 27 - Lazarus Saturday

If you are Too Busy to Pray...You are Too Busy!

2 Corinthians 6:4-6

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit; by sincere love.

Being a Christian involves sharing the witness for Christ. Even the person living in a remote area will have his or her Christian faith shared when others learn of it. Hermits, ascetics living in the desert or in the mountains, far from civilization are known to God.

Sincere love is a criteria associated with Christian witness. Sincere love passes the tests of authenticity. Sincere love is not easily discouraged or repudiated.

Sincere love is set apart from interest by the casual believer. Sincere love is set apart from the attention of the devious. The Lord Jesus Christ said: "I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." (Jn. 10:14)

As the good shepherd is distinguished from the hireling, so is authentic Christian love distinguished from relationships with others of lesser quality. (Jn. 10:11-12).

Financial value cannot be place on sincere love. The full effects of sincere love cannot be measured. Human life is enriched by the experience of sincere love. Human potential is fueled by sincere love. The Holy Apostle Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 6:4-6) links sincere love with other dynamics of Christian life. Fasting, tumults, labors, purity, knowledge, longsuffering and more are part of the Christian life.

The history of the Holy Orthodox Church contains sufficient material to satisfy the most inquisitive scholar. The history of the Holy Orthodox Church contains sufficient demonstrations of sincere love to busy a scholar for many years.

Formulating questions about sincere love is a good way to begin to seek answers. Turning to the lives of the saints, turning to the Holy Scriptures, turning to biographies of Orthodox Christians through the centuries will provide evidence and leads to learning more about Christian love.

Examining holy icons and frescoes of the Church inspires contemplation of sincere love. Abraham's love of God was obvious when he was ready to sacrifice Isaac. The first martyr Stephen's love of God was evidence that he was willing to endure stoning while witnessing for Christ. (Gen. 22:1-18, Acts 7:1-60).

When the soul is hungry for love, the love of Christ satisfies the hunger. When the soul is hungry for Christ, the love for Christ enables the person experience Christ in diverse circumstances. The love of Christ defies complete description. The love of Christ is best understood in direct experience. Open the heart and mind to Christ's love.

Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission, Fairmont, West Virginia
March 7 / March 20, 2010

Fr. Rodney Torbic

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