20th Triennial Sabor-Report

The 20th Triennial Church Assembly (Sabor) of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America

Day 1: The 20th Triennial Church Assembly (Sabor) of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America began on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at St. George Church in Canton, Ohio with the Divine Liturgy. A good number of clergy and delegates began their work with receiving the Holy Eucharist. The Invocation of Holy Spirit was then served by His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan.

All the Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America are present: His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher of Libertyville-Chicago; His Grace Bishop Georgije of Canada; His Grace Bishop Longin of New Gracanica-Midwest America; His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan of Eastern America, and His Grace Bishop Dr. Maxim of Western America.

The first Plenary Session began with a greeting by Bishop Dr. Mitrophan as host bishop. His joyful observation that we meet no longer as two different administrations, as two sides, but as one united, was greeted with sustained applause. He called on all to ensure that the Sabor be fruitful for our Church and our people, who are called to unity by God as the one Body of Christ.

The Plenary was then opened by His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher. He said that his feelings today are indescribable, as one who lived through the long history of the past decades. He called this Sabor a commencement, because we see ourselves today gathered as one body and family. He said that it was clear from observing the delegates meeting and greeting each other that this is a new and joyful beginning of a new era of unity and growth. He asked that all rise and join in singing Tebje Boga Hvalim, We Praise Thee O God, in thanks for this great gift of being together.
Bishop Longin also greeted the Sabor and said that he was sure that this unity would be for the good of our church and people and salvation of our souls. He said this unity is a great and holy gift of God to be guarded and extended. Bishop Dr. Maxim also extended his greetings.

Bishop Mark of Toledo and the Midwest of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese greeted extended his greetings as well. He thanked God for the unity he sees here, and said that he hopes this unity will also increasingly extend to all Orthodox in America.

Metropolitan Christopher also noted with joy the presence of two clergy under the omophor of Bishop Mitrophan present for this Sabor from South America.

St Nikolai of Zica Oratorical Festival
Then the delegates heard from the finalists of the second St. Nicholai Oratorical Festival, a project of the Youth Ministry Committee, which worked hard to organize the festival on a diocesan level and to provide guidance and support for the participants. Chris Radanovic presented the finalists, who had been chosen in competition in each diocese. The theme of this year’s Festival was “Light and Salvation: Why being Orthodox is crucial in today’s world.” The judges for this event were Protodeacon who serves at St. George Church in Canton, Fr. Daniel Rogich of the Greek Orthodox Church in Canton, and Fr. Joseph Cervo, retired pastor of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Canton.
The participants are all heavily involved in parish life, school activities, and community service. They were:

Anney Mierski, 17, of St. Nicholas Church of Steelton, PA representing the Eastern Diocese,

Alexander Berger, 16, of St. Andrew the Fool for Christ Church in Anderson, CA, representing the Western Diocese,

Katherine Potkonjak, 17, of Milwaukee’s St. Sava Cathedral, representing the New Gracanica-Midwest Diocese and the Metropolitanate of Libertyville-Chicago.

The judges returned their verdicts, with the results being: First Place Katherine Potkonjak with a prize of $1,000; Second Place Alexander Berger with a prize of $750, and Third Place Anney Mierski with a prize of $500.

The Youth Ministries Committee plans to make the Oratorical festival an annual event within each diocese. Every three years a national festival with a representative from each Diocese will be held in conjunction with Sabor.

The Second Plenary Session began following lunch.

Appointments and reports
Frs. Ilija Balach, Dragan Petrovic, Nedeljko Lunich, and Rodney Torbic were appointed as secretaries for the Assembly.

The Credentials Committee offered a preliminary report of 209 total participants. This number is expected to increase somewhat as some delegates from distances arrive.

Fr. Lunich, Secretary of the Central Church Council, gave the highlights of decisions of the last Sabor and the Central Church Council.

The Standing Ministry Committees each gave its report. These Committees were established six years ago to aid the work of the church, dioceses and parishes in various areas of service. These reports include:

Christian Education, given by chair Protinica Victoria Trbuhovich;
Stewardship, given by chair Brian Gerich;
Youth Ministry, given by chair Prota Stevo Rocknage;
Liturgical Music, given by chair Dr. Nikola Resanovic;
Communications and Publications, given by chair Prota Rade Merick.

Following the Plenary, those interested were able to attend a workshop on Serbian liturgical music prepared by the Liturgical Music Committee. Others were able to visit with each other or sample the wares of a number of vendors present offering books and church articles. The standing committees are also offering various materials for delegates to take home and utilize.

Following vespers and dinner, the evening featured a panel discussion on “The Joyful Opportunities of Orthodox Christian Stewardship” led by the Stewardship Standing Committee. Those participating in the young adult program (aimed primarily at those 18-30) being held in conjunction with the Assembly used this time for a presentation on “Relationships in Christ.”

Wednesday at the Assembly is to include a keynote address by V. Rev. Dr. Paul Tarazi, the reception of further reports, diocesan caucuses and a workshop on developing youth leaders in the parish.

Day2: The Divine Liturgy on the second day was followed by taking of the official sabor photos and breakfast.

Metropolitan Christopher thanked God that our Assemblies have put greater emphasis on learning and deepening ourselves in the Faith, both in our presentations of committee work and in our speakers. He especially commended the young participants in the St. Nikolai of Zica Oratorical Festival, who edified us with their thoughts on Christian life.

Fr. Paul Tarazi then gave the keynote address of the Assembly, on the theme of the Light of Christ. The light image is of a candle, which provided light to see in the dark. The candle was held in front of one to be useful, and you followed it. The light helps to move us from one place to another. It does not imply staying in one place, but in moving, going, and the light leads us. This is what Christ means by saying He is the Light. We are to allow Him to illumine us, and to follow Him as He leads us to the Kingdom.

The Light allows us to see. And to see in all languages also means to understand. Christ brings us to true understanding. The Light of Christ is seen in His voice, His commandments, His teaching. Christ says He is the resurrection, and if we listen to Him, follow and obey, He will also be our Life at the last day in the resurrection. The Light of Christ is the Light of His teaching, and we are to walk in the Light of that teaching. He gives His teaching in the community of the Church, not simply to individuals, and that Light and teaching is preserved, proclaimed, experienced and followed in the Church. The Church is the place where the Light is found. And so to be in the Church is to follow Christ’s teaching. The Church is the place where that teaching is proclaimed in the reading aloud of the Word of God in the Scripture. Loving God is doing His will. The Church is the community where God’s will is done. To recognize the Light of Christ means to obey and follow it to our Life and salvation. This is our calling as followers of Christ.

During lunch the chairpersons of the Standing Committees met to plan for the next three years.

Reports were heard at the afternoon session from the Young Adult and College Student Ministry committee by Fr. Aleksa Micich and Christopher Rocknage, and from the Serbian Language and Culture Committee given by Fr. Zivojin Jakovljevic.

Central Treasurer Brian Gerich presented the financial report of the Central Church Council for the past three years. In relation to this, questions concerning the participation of the Canadian Diocese in the financing of the central Church bodies was discussed, as was the investment of church funds.

Fr. Nedeljko Lunich presented the decisions of the Central Church Council over the past three years.

The Auditing Report was presented in a letter from Eugene Bowen. Fr. Dragoljub Malich presented the report of the Clergy Pension Fund.

Following vespers and dinner, the evening events included a Young Adult Conference and a workshop on “Developing Youth Leaders in the parish” presented by the Youth Ministries Committee.

Thursday’s events include an 8:00 am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the fifth plenary session with a presentation on church ministries, and the final plenary session which will confirm the election of new Central Church Council members, adoption of the Central Church budget, consideration of proposed amendments to the church’s constitution and other miscellaneous business, and adjournment. The closing banquet will follow vespers.

Day 3: The final day of the Assembly, Thursday August 13, began with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. The Liturgy was concelebrated by all the hierarchs present: His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher of Libertyville and Chicago, His Grace Bishop Georgije of Canada, His Grace Bishop Longin of New Gracanica and the Midwest, His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America, His Grace Bishop Mark of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, and His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America.

A large number of clergy and delegates received the Holy Eucharist. Responses were sung by a clergy choir directed by V. Rev. Milos Vesin.

Following breakfast the fifth plenary session began, with consideration of legislative matters. A number of minor revisions to the Constitution were considered. These changes were meant to bring certain phrases and terminology into conformity with the administrative reorganization approved by the Holy Assembly of Bishops in May.

After a very thorough discussion and a number of revisions, the changes were accepted as amended.

Following lunch the final plenary session began. The previous Central Church Council was released from its duties with thanks for its service, and the new Central Church Council was elected pursuant to the votes of the Diocesan caucuses and was sworn in.

Several Sabor resolutions were presented and adopted, which will be published in the near future.

A number of concerns and matters were brought up and discussed under miscellaneous, with a number of motions made and voted.

The Sabor concluded with the singing of the hymn “We Praise Thee O God.”

Following vespers Sabor participants enjoyed followship at a concluding banquet. A greeting to the Sabor was read from His Eminience Metropolitan Amphilochije on behalf of His Holiness Patriarch Pavle and the entire Mother Church.

Full details of the Sabor will be published in upcoming issues of the Path of Orthodoxy.

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