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11-14-2004
SLAVA OF THE CHURCH OF ST. KING MILUTIN IN JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville, FL - On Sunday November 14, 2004, through God's
blessings, the Serbian Orthodox Church-School Congregation
of the Holy King Milutin of Serbia in Jacksonville celebrated
their church Slava. Fr. Ljubisa Brnjos, parish priest in Orlando
and temporary administrator of this mission, officiated at
the Divine Liturgy, serving his first liturgy in Jacksonville.
This young Serbian Orthodox community in Jacksonville has
some 300 Serbian homes, most of which settled here within
the past few years. The majority of the families arrived in
this city after surviving the wars, concentration camps for
Serbs on Croatian territory as well as Bosnia and Hercegovina,
where they spent the most difficult moments of their lives.
After a relatively short period of adapting to life in America,
these families, with the help of then priest Fr. Dragan Zaric,
began to build the living church, serving and praying to God,
renting space in the different churches of Jacksonville. Soon
after this, they purchased property where today a small church
is dedicated to the holy King Milutin.
This year's kum for the Slava celebration was Mr. Stanko Precanica
and his family and it was from him that Mr. Momcilo Nikolic
received the honors of playing the role of kum for next year.
Many guests from Chicago, Orlando and throughout Florida joined
the faithful in the celebration of their Slava. After the
luncheon music from Chicago entertained the gathered faithful
until late that evening.
Addressing the gathered crowd were, among others, Fr. Ljubisa
and the President of the Church-School congregation Mr. Cedo
Zlatkovic, who expressed his hopes that this young church
congregation would soon become complete with their own parish
priest and become one community gathered around the true Pastor
Christ our God.
The next Divine Liturgy in Jacksonville will be on Saturday
November 27. Fr. Ljubisa announced that he would serve liturgies
at the mission twice each month. Bishop of Eastern America,
Dr. Mitrophan, has already announced his next archpastoral
visit to be February 5, 2005.
May the holy King Milutin, through his intercessions before
the Holy Throne of God, be the protector and guide of these
honorable and Christ-loving people on their salvific path
now and always.
February 5-6-2005
BISHOP MITROPHAN
VISITS MISSION PARISH IN JACKSONVILLE
Jacksonville, FL - This past weekend, February 5-6, 2005,
His Grace Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America visited the
parish in Jacksonville, FL where he blessed this parish’s
new place of worship.
His Grace first visited the community and parish of St. Petka
in Orlando. Following Vespers, served by parish priest Fr.
Ljubisa Brnjos, a meeting was held with the parish priest
and members of the board, sworn in after Vespers. Topics discussed
at the meeting varied, focusing on the progress of this small
community in central Florida and the possible building of
the a church on the Longwood property since the existing building
is already in worn down and this would be the best time to
begin such a project.
The Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and the blessing of the
new place of worship began promptly at 10:00 am the following
day in Jacksonville. Joining His Grace Bishop Mitrophan and
Fr. Ljubisa, was Fr. Dragan Zaric from the Charlotte, NC parish,
who was the first administrator of the Jacksonville mission
and is most deserving of the credit for it’s establishment.
In his homily Bishop Mitrophan touched on the living examples
of Christian love and mercy and then called on the people
to help their brothers and sisters in Kosovo and Metohija,
a plea that was issued only a few days prior to this by the
Holy Synod, issuing an urgent appeal. Following the Divine
Liturgy the sisters prepared a wonderful luncheon for all
of their dear guests. Talking to the newly elected members
of the parish Trusteeship following the lunch, Bishop suggested
that they prepare themselves financially that a full time
priest might be sent to them as soon as possible. The members
agreed with His Grace and hope that they will be ready by
the coming fall, for their Church Slava. With God’s
help, therefore, our Clergy brotherhood of Florida might become
bigger in the coming months, while the faithful of Jacksonville
and the church will receive a pastor and leader.
July-1-2006
FIRST ST. PETERSBURGH
DEANERY MEETING ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Jacksonville, FL - His Grace Bishop Dr.MITROPHAN scheduled
the First Annual Deanery Meeting on Christian Education for
the St.Petersburg Deanery to be held on Saturday July 1 at
St.King Milutin Mission Parish, Jacksonville, Florida.
The day began with the very well attended Divine Liturgy.
Following the lunch in the church hall, host priest Father
Stanislav Kravljaca warmly welcomed the attendees.
Protopresbyter Stephen Zaremba, Dean of the St.Petersburg
Deanery was assigned by His Grace as the designated speaker
on Christian Education for this first Deanery Meeting.
The St.Petersburg Deanery consists of parishes in Jacksonville,
St.Petersburg, Orlando and North Miami, Florida; Atlanta,
Georgia; and Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Reports were received from each of the parishes on the plans
and programs for Christian Education.
Priests in attendance in addition to Proto Zaremba and Father
Kravljaca, included Father Dragan Zaric, Father Ljubisa Brnjos,
and Father Sasa Turkic. Protnica Zaremba, Popadija Brnjos
and Popadija Kravljaca attended.
Teachers and interested individuals present at the meeting
were very attentive.
His Grace Bishop Dr.MITROPHAN made the long journey from the
Diocesan Center in Mars, Pennsylvania demonstrating by His
presence and participation the importance of Christian Education
in the St.Petersburg Deanery and throughout the Diocese.
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