SHEPHERD SH RD - sacserbchurch.orgsacserbchurch.org/sac/wp-content/uploads/file/AUGUST_Print 2013.pdf · SHEPHERD A monthly publication ... mnoge molitve Presvetoj Bo-gorodici, koja

SHEPHERDMonthly newsletter of the Serbian

Orthodox Church of the AssumptionFair Oaks, California

August 2013God be with you

P AS T I R

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SHEPHERD

A monthly publicationof the

Serbian Orthodox ChurchAssumption of the Blessed

Virgin Mary

7777 Sunset AvenueFair Oaks, Ca 95628

Very Rev. Stavrophor Dane PopovicVery Rev. William Weir

Church: 916-966-5438Fax: 916-966-5235

Priest: 916-966-6276Cell: 916-606-8808

Shepherd Staff

Editor: V. Rev. Stavrophor Dane Popovic

Written contributions are welcome;Editorial discretion reserved. Please

Submit articles and ideas to:

V. Rev. Stavrophor Dane Popovic7777 Sunset Ave

Fair Oaks, Ca 95628

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Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Dearly Beloved,Each year we celebrate the

Dormition (Falling Asleep) ofthe Holy Mother of God with aperiod of spiritual preparationwhich includes fasting, prayerand the singing of the dailyParaklisis service. In many re-spects, there is a similarity be-tween the Paschal lenten seasonand the short lenten season priorto the Feast of the Dormition.

As with Great Lent, thefast period for the Holy Virgin ismeant to redirect our focus onthe Church and our spiritual re-lationship with God. During thefast of the Holy Virgin, there is aspecial emphasis placed onprayer to the Theotokos, whounceasingly prays to God on ourbehalf. Fasting during the four-teen-day Lenten period helps usto refocus ourselves on God and

His Holy Mother. The feast dayitself, as with Holy Pascha, is acelebration of life through death.

The Church believes thatthe Theotokos was taken up intoHeaven bodily and not just insoul. Therefore, we see in herPalling Asleep and subsequentassumption into Heaven, the ful-fillment of the promise of lifeafter death granted throughChrist's resurrection. By Godgranting this honor upon theHoly Virgin, He proved to man-kind that there is life after death,and that our bodies also will beresurrected on the Last Day.

Many have questioned thevalidity of the bodily assump-tion of the Holy Virgin intoHeaven, especially becausethere is no canonical scripturalbasis for the feast. First of all,we must realize that it is illogi-cal for the Mother of God to en-

Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

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dure bodily corruption, havingbeen the chosen vessel whichcarried the incarnate God. Also,in the history of the Church,there have been countless relicsof saints preserved in variousshrines throughout the Ortho-dox world. The complete ab-sence of bodily relics of theTheotokos speaks for itself; ifthe Church has enshrined relicsof countless saints, surely relicsof the Mother of God wouldhave been the most precious ofall! In addition, the Holy Tradi-tion of the Church has turnedtoward the apocryphal writingsof the Church to substantiatethe end of the earthly life of theTheotokos. We must rememberthat apocryphal writings are noterroneous. They were not in-cluded in the New Testament,because they were not the bestexamples of the total messageof Christ. Nonetheless, theapocryphal writings are rootedin the life experience of theEarly Church.

Feasts such as the Dor-mition of the Theotokos aretruly mysteries and require deepfaith in order to enter into thespirit of the feast. The most im-portant feature of the feast is theHoly Virgin's continued role insalvation history as our chief in-tercessor before the Throne ofGod. God glorified Mary duringher earthly life by making herthe Mother of Christ our Lord.He further glorified her upon herdeath by receiving her intoHeaven fully resurrected inbody and soul in order to con-tinually pray and perform mira-cles and signs for her belovedchildren, the human race. Let usall thank God for the blessingsHe has bestowed upon usthrough the person of the HolyVirgin Mary. the true Mother ofGod

In Christ's love,Fr. Dane

Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

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Dragi Moji,

"Svake godine slavimo Us-penje Presvete Bogorodice saposebnom vremenskom duhovnompripremom, koja uklju~uje, post,molitve i himne. Ovaj periodposta pre praznika Uspenja Pres-vete Bogorodice je u mnogomesli~an Vskr{njem postu ali jeznatno kra}i.

Kao Veliki Post, post prepraznika Uspenja Bogorodice imaza zadatak da nas usmeri nava`nost duhovnog ìvota u jedin-stvu s Bogom. Tokom ovog Ve-likogospoinskog posta ~ine semnoge molitve Presvetoj Bo-gorodici, koja se neprekidno moliBogu za nas. Post od 14 dananam pomaè da se usresredimo naBoga i Njegovu Pre~istu Majku.Sam praznik Uspenja je sli~anVaskrsu, jer proslavlja ìvot kroz

smrt.Crkva veruje da je Presveta

Bogorodica vazneta na nebo nesamo duhovno ve} i telesno.Zbog toga, na ikoni je pred-stavljena Njena smrt i kasnije us-penje na nebo, ispunjenje obe}anja postojanja ìvota posle smrtidato svima Hristovim vaskrsen-jem.

Davaju}i ovu ~ast PresvetojBogorodici, On potvr|uje ~itavom~ove~anstvu da postoji ìvot poslesmrti, i da }e i na{a telavaskrsnuti u poslednji dan zaStra{ni Sud.

Mnogi imaju nepoverenje utelesno Uspenje Bogorodice nanebo, posebno zato {to nema ni-kakvog verodostojnog zapisa uSv. Pismu o ovom prazniku. Presvega, moramo da shvatimo da jenelogi~no da telo Majke Boìjedoìvi telesno raspadanje, jer je


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bilo izabrani sasud koje je nosiloOvaplo}enog Boga. Tako|e u is-toriji na{e crkve se govori omnogobrojnim netrule`nim mo{tima svetitelja koja se ~uvaju upravoslavnim hramovima u pra-voslavnom svetu. Potpun nestanaktela Bogorodice govori samo zasebe. Ako crkva ~uva mo{ti bez-broj svetitelja, sigurno da bi mo{ti Presvete Bogorodi~ine bile~uvane kao najdragocenije od svihmo{tiju svetitelja. Kao dodatak,Sveto Predanje crkve je okrenutoprema nekanonskom pisanju crkveda podkrepi kraj ovozemaljkogìvota Presvete Bogorodice. Mimoramo da se podsetimo da ne-kanonska pisanja crkve nisu pogre{na. Ona samo nisu uklju~ena uknjige Novoga Zaveta, zato {tonisu najbolji primer potpuneporuke Hristove. Ipak nekanonskapisanja su duboko ukorenjena uìvotnom iskustvu rane crkve.

Praznik Uspenja PresveteBogorodice je zaista tajanstven itraì veliku veru da bi se

prodrelo u su{tinu praznika. Na-jva`nija odlika ovog praznika jesteBogorodi~ina neprekidna uloga na{eg spasenja, kao na{a glavnazatupnica i molitvenica pred pred-stolon Bo`jim. Bog je proslavioPresvetu Mariju na zemlji u~ine}ije majkom Isusa Hrista. PosleNjene smrti vazneo je cello telonjeno na nebesa kako bi se nepre-kidno molila i ~inila ~uda i davalaznake svojoj voljenoj deci i svom~ove~anstvu.

Zahvalimo se Gospodu zablagodati koje izliva na nas krozpre~istu Bogorodicu, istinitu majkuBoìju.

Sa ljubavlju Hristovom, Prota Dane

Church Slava

Mark your calendars -Church Slava is coming andwill be celebrated on Sunday,

August 25.We hope to see you there.


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The clarity of father Justin understand-ing of the life in Christ, came from the thoughtthat the smallest mistake that man fails to takeheed and correct, can vanish his “power” of re-pentance.

“We are responsible, said Father Justin,for the spiritual legacy that we leave to our fu-ture generations. Each one of us has a crucialrole in the body of the Church, and by your care-lessness you’ll ruin not only your soul but alsothe Orthodox spirit that those after you will in-herit. “

Father’ period of imprisonment wasexcruciating, but not without spiritual fruits:

“By knowing myself, I’ve discovered thetrue meaning of life, its superior purpose, highabove the daily routine; I’ve discovered myselfstanding strong or weak in the faith… like you’llnever experience in the ordinary circumstancesof life.

Therefore the time we have before us,and the difficulties we face in life, is very pre-cious. Know that the burdens that God places onour shoulders, if they’re carried wisely, with timewill sanctify our soul, will clean it, lighten it andwe’ll no longer entangled with the unnecessary,but we’ll pass with grace any dark obstacles…After we had discovered God’ dispensation forus in those conditions, we were strengthen. Wesuffered this martyrdom with joy; we enduredevery injustice that by our patience and sacrificewe may expiate our sins and the sins of our na-tion. By the grace of God, we understood thatthose abject, humiliating conditions were in facttrue methods of dispassion. Many prisons in

those times be-came, in the deepest sense, fac-

tories thatproduced

countless martyrs.For this reason, the life of a Christian lived infreedom, could not be one of comfort and con-venience”.“Living as Orthodox means self-sacrifice, notfor one minute or one day, not for a week, amonth or a year, but for a lifetime – day by day,hour by hour, minute by minute. Many of usare Orthodox only through our baptismal cer-tificate, while we’ve forgot to become Orthodoxin the way we live and keep the right faith. ““The role of a monk, Father Justin said, is to bea model of prayer, a burning light in the eyes ofthe world, a witness who sacrifices his/her lifefor the Truth.The layman wants to see monastics’ holinessnow and here on earth. And this cannot befaked in any way. We ought to be icons ofprayer, burning with the love for God for all.Our mission here on earth is to live a holy life inthe midst of so many temptations we have re-nounced”.Father Justin, in his humility, was thinking thatalthough he had not accomplished any of theseduties of monasticism, had hope that God in Hisgreat mercy, will find a way to save him.“We all shall be judged by our good or baddeeds. Death does not wipe or simplify things ordeeds, or our words or our thoughts here onearth, but it complicates them, transcendingthem into eternity. At the last judgment therewill be no cover, your actions will show who youwere on earth. They will be the judges, whetheryou were bishop, president, official, priest, lay-man, officer, janitor and so on … “


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We're all ac-quainted withthose nonchurch-goers ofthe Orthodoxand other faiths

who declare with great emphasis that theycan be just as good or better Christians thanregular attendants at Church. Especially ifthey happen to be engaged in some socialand humanitarian work, they find a smugsatisfaction in maintaining that they're justas good or better than church-goers.

We're well acquainted with the usual cur-rent talk about hypocrisy among Churchpeople, and it's true there are some hypo-crites who are church-goers. But it'sequally true that the fellow who doesn't goto church because so many hypocrites at-tend doesn't hesitate to go to other placeswhere hypocrites stand end to end.Church attendance is not all of Christianity,of course, but it is certainly a vital and nec-essary part of the Christian life, and ourSunday School classes are impressed withthe necessity of coming regularly to thehouse of God. It should be drilled into thechildren at home as well as the SundaySchool. There is no Christianity that haslife-giving power apart from the house ofGod, and no man who stays away fromChurch Sunday after Sunday and monthafter month except for sickness or some

acceptable ex-cuse can be onfire for his par-

ish. The vast majority of excuses heard willnot stand any kind of a test. We all knowof people who can ride miles to some cardparty or to a dinner, or who spend hoursmany times a week on the golf course, butwho darken the door of the Church barelytwice a year. Yet they claim to be membersof the Church. And on special occasionswhen there is a chance for a big display,they will seek the privileges of the Churchfor reasons of respectability and pride.The big problem is that of Church atten-dance. In our own pariah, if every oneof our parishioners would contribute eventhe insignificant sum of 50% a week intheir envelopes, our Church would have nofinancial problems to speak of. Similarly, ifeven 50% of our communicants would be-come ardent church-goers so thatabsence would be the exception rather thanthe rule, our financial problemswould be solved. Church attendance is amatter of life or death to any parish.If there ever came a time when Church at-tendance was restricted to a handful ofold faithfuls, we'd be forced to close ourdoors. Church attendance is vital to ourwitness for Christ. What a wonderful trans-formation would come over ourchurches if even 60% of those on our mail-ing lists would become regular Sundayafter Sunday in their attendance. The spiri-tual, moral and financial resultswould be amazing……..`See you in church Sunday


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On of the characteristics ofthe Feast of Transfiguration is theblessing of grapes. This service isusually performed at the end of theTransfiguration's Divine Liturgy, af-ter the benediction prayer. Thepriest censes the grapes; thetroparion and kontakion are sung,followed by the prayer of blessingand sprinkling of grapes with holywater. The blessed grapes are dis-tributed to the faithful along withthe nafora.

From the contents of theprayer we learn the purpose of thispractice. In the Holy Gospel Jesus iscalled the vine; His fruit is the causeof eternity. Through the blessing ofgrapes, the sanctification, spiritual

progress and bodilyhealth is bestowed upon

the faithful who partake ofthe fruit.

We are also benefitedwith prayers for a peacefullife and eternal spiritual

gifts: beseeching the Lord God,through the grace and love of HisOnly Begotten Son and in commun-ion with the Good and Lif-givingSpirit to bless, multiply and supplythe faithful with vineyard of plentyand households of abundance; sothat man with needs sufficed, mayabide in every good work.Let us therefore preserve and prac-tice this meaningful and beautifultradition.


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The Assump-tion of the Virgin Mary was from earth to Heavenand is known as The Assumption or Holy Assump-tion; it is also properly known as The Dormition ofthe Theotokos. The fact of the Assumption is be-lieved by the Orthodox Church as well as the Ro-man Catholic, some Oriental Orthodox , Presbyte-rian and Anglican Churches. It refers to the takingof the body of the Virgin Mary into Heaven whenher life on earth came to an end. Both the Orthodoxand Roman Catholics believe in the Dormition of theTheotokos, which is the same as the Assumption.“Dormition” is another way of saying “fallingasleep”. In Latin, however, “Assumption” means“taken up”. This led to a theological difference inbelief as to whether Mary had died or not beforebeing taken up to Heaven. Orthodox and RomanCatholics believe that she died on earth before beingtaken up into Heaven. Our belief that she diedwhile on earth is consistent with the fact that herson, Jesus, died on earth as a man and was resur-rected in body and spirit. The question of howcould the Virgin Mary simply be assumed withoutfirst falling asleep on earth is explained by the deathof her son first.

The historical accounts of the events of the Vir-gin Mary’s ending of life are different. This isprobably due to the fact that they were retained in“history” through oral tradition or even fictional-ized. Early traditions place the end of Mary’s life inJerusalem. Later, the event was said to have takenplace in Ephesus. When we get to the 7th centuryanother variation emerges in which one of the apos-tles, frequently identified as St. Thomas, was notpresent at Mary’s death but arrived later and whenher tomb was opened for him, it was empty exceptfor her grave clothes. Later, a tradition was that herbelt was dropped to the apostle from Heaven asevidence of the event.

The earliest celebrations in Christianity related tothe teaching of the Assumption and the celebration

thereof occurred in thefifth century before

there were any divisions within the Church. Em-peror Maurice of Constantinople officially adoptedthe feast day sometime around the year 600. Thewestern patriarchs celebrated starting around the9th century. This is still before a division betweenRome and the East which occurred in 1054. Debateof the theology of the event continued well afterthe Reformation in the 16th century.The Orthodox and Roman Catholics celebrate thefeast on August 15th. The many Eastern Orthodoxwho still follow the old calendar, primarily Slavicbackgrounds, celebrate on August 28th. There aremany countries throughout the world where thedate is a national holiday.

The Assumption is defined dogmatically by theRoman Catholic Church. This means that, due totheir centralized system of authority, the Pope’sofficial declaration of what Roman Catholicsshould believe, or what the “official belief” of theChurch is sufficient. The Eastern Orthodox do nothave a definition that is defined in this manner.We believe that the event is better defined liturgi-cally and mystically through holy tradition. Manyof our doctrines are “authoritative” in the sensethat they have been decided by an infallible earthlyhead. The Orthodox beliefs tend to be based ontraditional practices and “Holy Mystery” with afocus on achieving personal salvation through faithand works.

The Anglican Church and the Episcopal Churchaccept August 15th but celebrate the day only as aday in honor of the Virgin Mary and little more.Most modern Protestants neither teach nor believein the Assumption since there is no Biblical basisfor it. Lutherans do not teach the Assumption butrecognize the date as a lesser feast of the VirginMary.

Here in Fair Oaks, we celebrate this Feast inhonor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary be-cause it is both a major feast day in the life of theChurch year as well as the name of our Churchtemple and the Parish Kresna Slava.

Fr. Bill Weir


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Man’ freedom is at the measureof his genuine love.

Freedom becomes preciousonly when it is lost. Or at least, thisis how we think. All his life manseeks to be free, but does not appre-ciate the gift of his freedom until itis too late. Freedom is in our bodybut also in our heart. Freedom is inaction but also in the mind and theintellect. Man is free by how genu-inely he loves and is attached to thevalues of the faith.

We are free when we acceptGod’s plan for our life, and whenwe strive to achieve it. Being freedoes not mean lethargy and bliss,but the fulfillment of your humancondition.

Freedom does not mean to dowhat I always wish, as many timesby doing what I like I do the will ofthe devil. Freedom is at the measureof man discernment, and his capac-ity to choose between good and evil.Man must realize that only in Truthhe can live freely and with so muchconfusion in this world, he shouldavoid deception. It was what Com-

munists did not understand, that onlyon the Cross the human soul gainstrue freedom, that all their methodsof torture and psychological pressureto re-educate us, have made moresaints than slaves, have sanctifiedour land by the martyrs blood.

Freedom is hard to understandwhen one has not lived in thosetimes [of persecution], and ourChristians today barely reflect of thispast.

The thirst for God and the lovefor all people

The thirst for God directs ustowards the love of our neighbor andvice versa. So great is the power oflove that one who reaches a genuinelove for all people denying oneself,receives the gift of healing.

This is the true “follower” ofChrist! Such man loves with the loveof Christ all those fallen, thus par-takes in Christ’ mission on earth andsave himself.


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On August 19/6 the Orthodox worldcelebrates one most spiritual of feasts: theTransfiguration of our LordJesus Christ. In the Book ofBooks (the Gospel) we read:"Jesus took Peter, James andhis brother John, and led themup a high mountain by them-selves, and was transfiguredbefore them. And His faceshone as the sun, and His gar-ments became white as snow.And behold, there appeared tothem Moses and Elias talkingtogether with Him. Then Peteraddressed Jesus, saying,'Lord, it is good for us to be here. If Youwill, let us set up three tents here; one forYou, one for Moses, and one for Elias.' Ashe was still speaking; behold, a brightcloud overshadowed them, and behold, avoice out of the cloud said: This is My Be-loved Son, in Whom I am well pleased;hear Him!' And when the disciples heardit, they fell on their face, and were veryafraid."

What can we learn from this Feast?This event happened before Christ's Deathand Resurrection to prepare His disciplesand all His followers for another historicalevent. Jesus knew that His disciples were-

n't enlightened by the Holy Spirit yet;their faith and spiritual power were notstrong. They believed in Jesus Christ —that He was the Messiah — but their faithwas weak. Jesus knew what would hap-pen in a few days — what terrible eventwould take place — that is why Hewanted to prepare His disciples more

spiritually and show themWho He really is.

Why Only Three"Jesus took Peter,

James and his brother John,and led them up a highmountain by themselves, andwas transfigured beforethem. And His face shone asthe sun, and His garmentsbecame white as snow."From these words we see

that our Lord took only three apostles tothe top of Mount Tabor. Many people,even theologians, ask: Why did Jesustake only Peter, James and John, and notall the apostles? Peter was taken as "theRock of Faith," who confessed that JesusChrist is the true Son of the Living God,as St. Matthew records in his Gospel: "...Jesus asked His disciples, Who do mensay that I am? And they said. 'Some sayYou are John the Baptist; some, Elijah;and others, Jeremiah, or one of theprophets.' Jesus said to them, 'But Whodo you say that I am?' And Simon Peteranswered: 'You are the Christ, the Son ofthe living God...'" (Matthew 16:13-16).


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The Apostle James was taken tothe top of Mount Tabor as a symbol ofsuffering and humbleness. The LordChrist knew that very soon James wouldbe the first martyred apostle who woulddie for Him.

The beloved Disciple John wastaken to the top of Mt. Tabor as the apos-tle of love. Jesus Christ couldn't take allthe Tabor because among them was JudasIscariot, and Jesus knew that he wouldbetray Him, and so that he would not seethe great Mystery and Christ's glory, Heleft him with the other apostles. Yet Jesusdid not want to ignore Judas prematurelybecause he was to be the betrayer; that iswhy He took only three apostles to thetop of Tabor and the others He left be-hind.

Being in His PresenceAccording to many Holy Fathers'

teachings it was evening or night whenJesus was transfigured, because the apos-tles started to sleep. When they woke up,they saw with Christ two Great Prophetsof the Old Testament, Moses and Elias,talking with Him about His Suffering,Death and Resurrection. "And His faceshone as the sun, and His garments be-came white as snow." The apostles neversaw Jesus in this image before; that iswhy they were afraid. St. Peter, as wellas the other apostles, were not onlyafraid, but also mystified and very joyful.This explains why Peter, with a specialfeeling of gladness, told his Master Jesus:"Lord, it is good for us to be here."

As His followers, we too should beglad at the Presence of our Lord. He didnot show His glory for the apostles only,but for all generations. We don't have togo to the Holy Land and walk to the top ofTabor; we can behold His image in ourChurch. We have in the Church the Trans-figuration Icon, and Mount Tabor for us isour Church. Christ is in every Church, aswe are taught by our faith: "God is inheaven, and on • earth and in every place."Yes, He is here in the Holy Eucharist andwe receive Him when we receive HolyCommunion, and He says to us: "Lo, I amwith you always, even unto the end of theworld." (Matthew 28:20). Through theteaching of His Holy Church we know andsee Him, as He shows Himself while Helived on the earth.

When Peter saw His Master in Hisglory, he said: "Lord it is good for us to behere. If You will, let us set up three tentshere; one for You, one for Moses, and onefor Elias." We as Christians, as Christ'sdisciples, should cry with Peter: "Lord, itis good for us to be here." As I said be-fore, every Church is Mount Tabor; do wecry with Peter when we come to Christ inHis Church on a Sunday or Holyday,'Lord, it is good for us to be here'? Do wefeel something strange, some great glad-ness and also some fear? Are we happy inGod's House? Peter


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Nastavak...

TRE]A ISTINAUPOZNAVAWE @IVOTNOG

ZADATKA I CIQУ светлости Божјег Откривења овај наш

живот на Земљи приказује нам се као времедуховног школовања у нижој школи иприпремања за вишу у другом, духовномсвету. Улогу школе на Земљи врши светаЦрква, улогу главног учитеља -БогочовекаИсуса Христа, чији су помагачи апо-столи ињихови наследници, а улогу уџбеника -Свето писмо, нарочито Еванђеља иапостолске посланице.

Зато је дужност сваког хришћанина,који се крштењем учланио у свету ЦрквуХристову и тиме уписао у ову Божју школу,да у свом нај-вишем интересу слуша ииспуњава све што она од њега захтева, дамарљиво чита и проучава лектиру коју муона препоручује, на првом месту Светописмо, и по примерима које ће у њему наћиизграђује себе у човека савршена, штосличнијег Богочовеку Христу, како то лепооб-јашњава свети апостол Павле, особито уПо-сланици Ефесцима (4, 22-24, 13 имногим дру-гим местима). Уколико у томебуде више напре-довао, утолико ће бољеиспунити свој животни задатак и стећивечно благо које ће уживати у вечномживоту, по одласку с овог света.Из досад изложеног, јасно излази да се сми-сао и циљ нашег живота не састоји у јелу ипићу, стинању материјалног блага, забавамаи телесним уживањима, него у духовномбогаћењу богочовечанским врлинама и

задобијању вечног cарства Божјег, које се,по речи Господњој, осваja sa naporom(Матеј 11, 12). Напор се састоји у борбипротив греха и страсти, који човеку зама-гљују духовне очи, везују за овај пролазнисвет и спречавају да изврши свој животнизадатак: да се уподобљава Богу, стичедуховно богатство и задобије Царствонебеско.

Својим причама о богаташу и убогомЛаза-ру и Страшном суду (Лука 17, 19-31;Матеј 25, 31, 46) Господ Исус Христосоткрио нам је јасно шта људе чека послетелесне смрти у оном загробном свету:једне рајско блаженство, друге - пакленемуке. Од нас зависи шта ће нас онамосачекати. Велика се истина садржи у онојнародној пословици: ,,С ким си, онакавси". Ко се овде удружи са Богом, биће саЊим у заједници и у вечности; а ко се овдедружи са злим духовима, њихово га друштво исудбина чека и у оном свету. Други избор заљуде не постоји. То је само Господ нагласио,кад је рекао: ,, Ко није са мном, против мене је,и ко не сабира са мном, расипа " (Матеј 12, 30).

Зато пазимо добро с ким другујемо у овомсвету: да ли са Богом или са сатаном? Бог нас јестворио за вечни живот (Премудрости Солом.1, 13-14) и нуди нам вечно блаженство уцарству своме, а сатана - грешна чулна ужива-ња за кратко време, а потом вечну муку. Њего-ви пехари чулних сласти, по мудрим речимаједног нашег црквеног беседника, тако суплитки, и на дну њиховом налази се скорпија,тако да је она увек близу усана.

Ове три истине су од највећег и судбоносногзначаја за човека.

Сва мудрост овог света, без знања овихистина, мало ће користити човеку. Ко мудростовог света претпостави знању ових истина, сли-


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чан је човеку који полазећи кроз мрклу ноћ напут, дуг стотине или хиљаде километара, прет-постави слаби жижак снажном светилнику -рефлектору, који би му јарко осветљавао читавпут до краја.

Наш живот је у ствари путовање кроз таму унеизвесност. Творац нам је ставио на распола-гање свој снажни светилник - Откривење своје.Од нас зависи да ли ћемо га користити или не.Он нам га нуди, али га не намеће силом.

Зато прихватимо са захвалношћу овај све-тилник и користимо га, да се касније, кад се бу-демо растајали с овим светом, до чега ћенеминовно доћи, можда још данас или сутра, небисмо горко кајали и проклињали себе, а то намонда ништа помоћи не може.

It is not enough toconsider yourself a sinnerQuotes, Spiritual Elders

The man perfected in humilitydoes not seek opportunities to humblehimself, for he has acquired the gift ofhumility, when he sees himself worthy tobe despised and the first of all sinners.

To gain true humility it is not suf-ficient to consider ourselves sinners, orthe thought of not seeing anything goodwithin us, as indeed all these are true.

In the words of St. Isaac the Syr-ian, “Not every modest and silent man,wise, or gentle by nature, has reached theheights of humility. On the contrary, hu-mility is when man hides deeply within,

something really worthy of praise, yethe is not proud of, but considers it as aspeck of dust. “

So we understand that, it is com-mendable to deeply humble oneself atthe remembrance of sins, yet this is notperfect humility.The man perfected in humility does notseek opportunities to humble himself,for he has acquired the gift of humility,when he sees himself worthy to be de-spised and the first of all sinners. (…)

This change in man, who’s natu-rally proud and self loving, is not accom-plished by flesh but by the supernatural,gracious humble though, and when it isacquired, manifests itself with greatpower.

It was this power, the Holy Apos-tles received at Pentecost in the form oftongues of fire. It is the power of thesaints pleasing to God, acquired afterlong labors and great spiritual toil. Tomany, such toil seems unbearable andsoon they forsake it, but for the spiritualchildren, the harder the toil, the greaterthe thirst, for they taste within it thegrace that strengthens, comforts and fillsthem with joy.

(Arhim. Seraphim Alexiev – commen-taries on the Prayer of St. Ephrem theSyrian)


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Мир и радост свима од Господа, јер сумир и радост најважнија богатства овог и оногсвета. За тим сви ми чезнемо. Можемо имати накугли земаљској што год пожелимо, а да немамомир и радост. А мир долази од Извора Мира, одГоспода. Када се Господ обратио својимученицима, када су они затворили врата збогстраха од Јудеја, прво што им је упутио било је:"Мир вам."

Господ ће вас наградити миром ако сеизмирите и окренете Апсолутном Добру, аАпсолутно Добро је Господ Бог. Он жели да миимамо једну божанску особину - смирење је табожанска особина. Где год смирење царује, билоу породици, било у друштву, оно из себе извијамир и радост.

Свако добро и свако зло потиче одмисли, јер смо ми мислени апарат. Утичемо чаки на биљни свет, будући да и биљни свет иманервни систем. Сви очекују мир, утеху, љубав.

Покајање је измена живота. Потребно једа човек оде до свештеника или свог ближњег ида му каже шта му ремети мир. Чим нашиближњи саучествују у нашем страдању мидобијамо утеху и снагу.

Ако се ми окренемо Извору Живота,Господ ће нам дати снаге да учврстимо у себимисли пуне добра, јер добре мисли, добре жеље,дају мир и утеху свуда. Морамо се ( мислено )изменити.

Наше мисли утичу не само на нас, негона све оно што нас окружује. Морамо даупућујемо добре мисли. Господ заповеда даволимо своје непријатеље, не због њих, негозбог нас самих. Треба опростити све од срца.Када се опрости све од срца, све је опроштено.Ми смо (тада) саучесници мира, тада мир чинирадост и утеху свима око нас. Сви осећају нашемисли мирне, тихе.

Када је домаћин у кући оптерећенбригама о породици нико нема мира и покоја одњегових мисли, чак ни мала деца у развоју. Затоони који руководе кућом треба да се предају

Господу, да Му се моле, и да схвате да је Господсвемогућ, да нас Господ теши.

Морамо од срца све опростити.Унутрашњи мир не може да се сачува докле годнаша савест нешто изобличава. Морамо умиритисавест. Треба свима опростити од срца. Без тоганема унутрашњег мира.

Даће Господ благодат. То је божанскасила која делује свуда, а особито у душама којетраже Господа, Извора Живота. Мир Божији сесвуда сеје.

У Старом Завету пише: "Сине, дај мисрце своје." Господ је једина утеха и анђелима иСветима и свима који Га траже. Он је јединиБесконачан.

"Професор је расејан. Он је такав итакав!" Моли да Господ да благог анђела ипрофесору и теби. Ако заволиш професора, такоћеш лако одговарати и добити оцену. Када сепрофесор и ученик помире, међу њима више нема(мисленог) рата.

Нема нам мира ако мислено ратујемо сародитељима. Духови злобе гледају да се ми посваку цену огрешимо о родитеље. Тада они стичувласт над нама, а ми мислимо да је неко другикрив. Многи то увиде, па поправе мисли. Ја увекто кажем- неки прихватају, а неки су сувишегорди. Што дајемо, то нам се враћа.

Свети Оци кажу: "Сеј љубав, па ћешљубав жњети. Сеј мир, па ћеш мир жњети."Немогуће је да стекнемо мир ако смо пунизависти и злобе. Ако се не ослободимо од тепаклене особине како ћемо у вечност? Једини јеГоспод који може да нас измени. Дух се везујемислима. Каква нам је карактерна особина овде -такви прелазимо у вечност.

Треба да смо мирни. Боље је трпетиувреду, него нанети увреду. Ако претрпимоувреду, Господ ће нам дати снагу и мир. Ако непретрпимо увреду, савест нам неће дати мира.Савест је Божански суд.

Ми можемо свашта радити али нећемоимати ни мира ни покоја. Карактерна особина( овде на земљи ) је основа за прелазак у вечност.


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Ако смо мирни и тихи идемо у ред светих ианђела. Њих је Господ наградио бесплатномблагодати и у тим душама нема особина овогасвета. Човек може стално да га вређа, а он се невређа. Човек може да га изудара, а он се нељути, јер је његова душа руковођена СветимДухом.

Питали су Светог Серафима Саровског:"Шта је циљ нашег живота?" - "Враћање унаручје Оца Небеског."

Ми реметимо мир. Господ нас ( тада )оставља са нашим мислима - ето нам страдања.Нема силе која може да поруши милостГосподњу. Зато мученици нису осећалистрадања, а ако су и осетили, утешио их је тихиГоспод. Када благодат Светог Духа озари душу -она више не осећа страдања.

После Господа немамо веће добро одсвојих родитеља. Господ каже: "Ја сам тај којизачиње плод у утроби мајке." Родитељи су оруђеу рукама Господњим. Господ благосиља брак.Потребно је време да се попуни (број) онихпавших анђела који су отишли са сатаном, а Богје и за њих, духове злобе, Бог. Они сувисокоинтелигентна бића, али за њих нема нимира ни покоја.

Ми морамо тражити утеху од ближњихбудући да смо створени, ограничени временом ипростором, и не можемо да дамо бесконачно,али тражимо бесконачно. Тражимо мирбесконачни, радост бесконачну - све бесконачно.Али наши најблизи не могу све да нам пруже.Сви смо ограничени и у сталном смо рату сазлим мислима, јер су пали духови пуни злобе( зли духови нападају преко мисли - убацујућизле мисли у човекову главу ).

Господ гледа да ли ми од срца тражимода нам Он помогне. Чујемо многе речи лепогпримера живота и како треба упутити ближњеда то раде. Али, да ли ћемо моћи то даостваримо?

Видимо особу мирну, тиху, све прашта,све трпи. Тај пример нам остаје увек јер и мижелимо то да стекнемо. Како? Окренимо се каАпсолутном Добру, срцем, мислима и целимсвојим бићем. Сјединимо се у апсолутној

љубави са својим Створитељем. Треба битинепрекидно у молитви. Треба молити ПресветуМајку, анђела и Свете ( да нас учврсте својомзаштитом ) да Га тако силно љубимо, јер тада ћемобити блажени и овде и у вечности. Бог је Љубав иСрећа која испуњава све који Га траже.

Кавим се мислима бавимо - такав нам је живот.Ако су нам мисли мирне и тихе - ето нам

мир. Ако су нам мисли негативне - ето нам немир.Ми тражимо помоћ од родитеља и кад ихзамолимо, они раскрваре своје родитељско срце ичине нам по вољи оно што је добро.

Божија енергија свуда делује, а особито уоним људима који су се окренули ка Господу. Богје Мир, Утеха и Радост свима. Зато вам желим мири радост од Господа.

Родитељи имају велику власт над својомдецом. Да ли су они добри или лоши - то је њиховаствар и они ће за то одговарати. Много се у светустрада због непоштовања родитеља.

Мој отац је био много добар човек. Имаосам мисао да је требало да уложи много више умене. Преосетљив сам. Рођен сам 1914.

Нисам смео да упутим такве мисли оцу.Не вреди што сам био бистро дете. Нисам видео дасам ја упропастио свој живот. Када је требалонешто да се оствари, а оно - пропаст. Лекари сурекли: Неће живети више од пет година. Био самтежак плућни болесник. Хтео сам да посветим својживот Господу, па сам отишао у манастир.

Господ ће отворити пут најбољи за децу.Господ ће опростити. Господ је милостив. Ако семи молимо Богу за њих, немогуће је да то не утичена њих. Мисли су огромна снага. Одмах нам сеотвори пут и знак. Монах се у старо времемолио да му Пресвета Богородица укаже шта је томонах, а Пресвета Мајка му је рекла: "Монах јемолитвеник за цео свет."

Ако мислима ратујемо са професорима иродитељима, нема добра.

Господ жали своја створења што такопате, али узалуд кад неће да се покају.

Дође старац Св. Антонију и каже да јевелики грешник и да је много грешио.

NASTAVICE SE………..


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19 Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM 2013Stewardship is our financial response to God and His Church. Through our financial

commitment our Parish will be able to carry on its programs for all its members. Please fillyour stewardship card and mail it to the Church office. “ God has given us everything we

have. He expects from us a generous portion of our blessings for the needs of His Church.”Starateljstvo je ne{ finansiski odgovor prema Bogu i Njegovoj crkvi. Kroz na

{a nov~ano obavezivanje na{a parohija bi}e u mogu}nosti di ispuni sve njene pro-grame prema svim parohijanima. Molimo vas popunite KARTU STARATELJSTVA ipo{aljite je u crkvenu kancelariju. “Bog nam je dao sve {to imamo. On i o~ekuje odnas dobar deo od blagoslova nam dati za potrebe Njegove crkve”.We are grateful to the following Stewards of our parish family for their pledge of support

to the Church and her ministries .THE FOLLOWING PARISHIONERS HAVE RETURNED THEIR 2013 Pledge Cards

Lori Jovovich-AjaxRadomir AntovichBogdanka BobocaicIlija & Anna BradaricNicholas BrownAnnette & Joe ChinnMargaret ChernayLjubinko & Nevenka ChurchinAnna CippaDrago & Andja CvjetkovicPava & Bosiljka CvjetkovicPava Djordjevic Biserka DelicDaisy FreemanLeo & Aleksandra GlebovAndjelka GojkovicJohn GojkovichRobert & Zorka GojkovichHoria GrozaChris & Yuliya JohnsonAngelia & Dragutin JovanovicMichael & Trina JovovichDimitri & Luba Karnaookh

Gladys KatsikisSilvia KenteraJohn & Nevenka KordicPaula KordicSteve & Gail KosachMilos KovacBarbara LobodovskyBorka MalkovichBill & Martha MamikaIlinka MeglemreMirjana MarkovicCarolyn MetzkaRobert MillerAna MileusnicSavka MileusnicMiroslav & Marie MilovanovichPetar K. MilovicDragan i Katarina MirkovicDesanka MojsicStanko & Vesna MojsichBetty MoomeyGail Mraovic

Elsie MrvosVelika PejovicDraginja PetrovicZoran & Milena PopazivanovProto & Protinica PopovicMilos & Mileva RadmanovicMilanka RadosavljevichTodor & Milena RajakDanica Gojkovich RyderDave Garo & Farnces SokitchIvanka StefanovichZlatko & Kim TheodorovicJovo TicaMilan & Betty TicaNikola & Zorka TicaSteve & KathleenVickersDragan & Michael VidovichHelen VukasovichProto & Protinica WeirConnie Ziacan

How to calculate my financial commitmentAmount Pledged Monthly Weekly Daily$1200 100 23.07 3.28$1000 83.33 19.23 2.73$800 66.66 15.38 2.19$600 50 11.53 1.64$500 41.66 9.61 1.36$300 25 5.76 0.82

20Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A U G U S T 2013 A V G U S TSundayNedelja

MondayPonedeljak

TuesdayUtorak

WednesdaySreda

Thursdayêtvrtak

FridayPetak

SaturdaySubota

1 2St. ELIJAHILIJINDAN

Liturgy at 9am

3

Vespers- Ve~ernje6:00 pm

Confession—Ispovest-

46st Sunday after PentecostDivine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

6ta Nedeq Po DuhovimaGospel. Matt. 9:1-8;

Epistle: Rome 12:6-14;

5 6 7

No AKATIST at 6:00 p.m.No Catechism Class 6:20pm

8Mother Paraskeva

9St Panteleimon

10

Vespers- Ve~ernje6:00 p.m.

Confession—Ispovest

117th Sunday after PentecostDivine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

7ma Nedeq Po DuhovimaGospel. Matt. 9:27-35;Epistle: Rome. 15:1-7;

12 13 14

AKATIST at 6:00 p.m.Catechism Class 6:20pm

15 16 17Vespers- Ve~ernje

6:00 p.m.Confession—Ispovest-


8ma Nedeq po DuhovimaGospel. Matt. 14:14-22;

Epistle: 1.Cor. 1:10-18;

19

TRANSFIGURATIONPREOBRAZENJELiturgy at 9am

20 21


22 23 24No Vespers- Ve~ernjeat 6:00 p.m.

Confession—Ispovest---


9ta Nedeqa po DuhovimaGospel. Matt. 14:22-34;


26 27 28DORMITION

USPENJELiturgy at 9am

29 30 31

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CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS? - MENJATE ADRESIf you’re planning to move, please let us know before changing your address.Ako èlite da se preselite na drugu adresu obavestite nas pre nego se preselite.

Write to –Pi{ite nam naAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

7777 Sunset Ave. Fair Oaks, Ca. 95628

Dormition Fast - August 14-28, 2013

KONGREGATIONALInformative

Meeting

Church Slava CelebrationProslava Crkvene slave


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ALL ALTAR BOYS ARE ASKED TOSERVE WHEN ATTENDING CHURCH

Reader Schedule

Message to all readers:Please make note of the days you are

to read and make plans to come tochurch before 10:00 a.m.

August — Avgust 4Reader: Protinica Maryann

Gospel. Matt. 9:1-8;Epistle: Rome 12:6-14;

August — Avgust 11Reader: Natalie Fitzpatrick

Gospel. Matt. 9:27-35;Epistle: Rome. 15:1-7;

August — Avgust 18Reader: Nick Brown

Gospel. Matt. 14:14-22;Epistle: 1.Cor. 1:10-18;

August — Avgust 25Reader: Rade Radulovich

Matt. 14:22-34;Epistle: 1.Cor. 3:9-17;

September — Septembar 1No Service at our church

INFORMATION FOR SEPTEMBERSHEPHERD

If anyone has anything they would like toadd to the Shepherd, the last day tosend information is AUGUST 15th.

INFORMACIJE ZA SEPTEMBARSKIAko imate ne{to da bi èleli da dateza mese~ni Pastir, zadnji dan za to je15 Avgust. Nazovite Protu Dana ili

po{aljite po{tom.

A U G U S T 2013 A V G U S TSundayNedelja

MondayPonedeljak

TuesdayUtorak

WednesdaySreda

Thursdayêtvrtak

FridayPetak

SaturdaySubota

1 2St. ELIJAHILIJINDAN

Liturgy at 9am

3

Vespers- Ve~ernje6:00 pm

Confession—Ispovest-

46st Sunday after PentecostDivine Liturgy 10:00 a.m.

6ta Nedeq Po DuhovimaGospel. Matt. 9:1-8;

Epistle: Rome 12:6-14;

5 6 7

No AKATIST at 6:00 p.m.No Catechism Class 6:20pm

8Mother Paraskeva

9St Panteleimon

10

Vespers- Ve~ernje6:00 p.m.

Confession—Ispovest


7ma Nedeq Po DuhovimaGospel. Matt. 9:27-35;Epistle: Rome. 15:1-7;

12 13 14


15 16 17Vespers- Ve~ernje

6:00 p.m.Confession—Ispovest-


8ma Nedeq po DuhovimaGospel. Matt. 14:14-22;


19

TRANSFIGURATIONPREOBRAZENJELiturgy at 9am

20 21


22 23 24No Vespers- Ve~ernjeat 6:00 p.m.

Confession—Ispovest---


9ta Nedeqa po DuhovimaGospel. Matt. 14:22-34;


26 27 28DORMITION

USPENJELiturgy at 9am

29 30 31

CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS? - MENJATE ADRESIf you’re planning to move, please let us know before changing your address.Ako èlite da se preselite na drugu adresu obavestite nas pre nego se preselite.

Write to –Pi{ite nam naAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

7777 Sunset Ave. Fair Oaks, Ca. 95628

22Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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A very

interesting point was raised recently

in our parish, and we feel it important

enough to discuss it more in depth

now. T h e e point or idea is that

some parishioners feel they are doing

their Church a "favor" by donating fi-

nancially or giving of their time, etc.

We repeat what we have been taught

in Catechism and have heard many

times since from our priests, that is,

EVERY parishioner has the basic obli-

gation to participate i n the affairs of

their parish, eg. financial, work, sup-

port of social activity, etc. You are not

doing your Church or us a "favor"

then, YOU HAVE THAT RESPONSIBIL-

ITY. When you do not participate as a

parishioner, you are consciously ig-

noring your obligation as an Orthodox

parishioner, and according to the

teaching of our Church, you will have

to account for that big failing o n

your part. We are not telling you that,

YOUR CHURCH is!We have often spoken in

amazement of the times some pa-

rishioners have been asked to

participate and DEMONSTRATE

their love for their Church, but they

cannot stand the test apparently. The

"chest thumpers" you will recall are

full of Christian IOVE and duty to the

Church - until you ask for it. To some

it's corny to have or to show love for

your Church - it's more masculine just

to talk about i t ! ! However you de-

scribe it, if you truly have it, you will

display it. We sincerely hope that

those parishioners who have stayed

on the sidelines because they did not

like the priest, President, Board, hall

design, School teacher, or you name

it, will soon realize that by their inac-

tivity they do not hurt whom they

THINK. They hurt their Assumption of

the Blessed Virgin Mary Church and

Orthodoxy in general.

THE CHURCH DOORS ARE AL-

WAYS OPEN, AND WE STAND READY

TO GREET YOU ——


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There is a popular impression that stillpersists that it an easy thing to be a Christian. Allthat one has to do is join the church and all issmooth going and there is not much to do or toworry about.

Some nominal, non-productive church mem-bers help to create and maintain such an impres-sion. To observe them is to get the idea that it ispossible to go to heaven on a 747 jet.

But it is a wrong impression. Being a Chris-tian is difficult business. Christianity is associatedwith struggle, self-sacrifice and strenuous effort. Toread the life story of the great Apostle Paul is tolearn of adventures, anxieties, dangers, sufferings,hatred, persecution, false trial, unjust imprisonment, beatings, scourgings, stoning, hunger,thirst, cold, destitution, shipwreck.

There are certain passages in the New Testa-ment section of the Bible, concerning the straightand narrow way, working out our own salvationwith fear and trembling, fighting the good fight offaith, and putting on the whole armor of God, whichplainly indicate that the Christian must meet seri-ous difficulties and pass through severe testingtimes.

Evil is rampant in our world and there aremany temptations. We are solicited to entertainpolluting thoughts, to speak unkind, ungenerous,malicious words, to lower our standards, to neglectduty, to use our influence for selfish ends, to choosethe popular way of worldliness instead of the path ofsacrifice and service.

In any occupation, in any field of endeavor,progress is the essential thing; not deterioration, notstanding still, but persistently going forward. Thereare so-called followers of Christ who seem to be justthe same today as they were five or 10 years ago.There is no apparent change for the better, no spiri-tual development. It is not easy to keep pushing on

toward thegoal. It involves concentration, refusal to bediscouraged and the very patience of the saints.

Productive service is required of us asOrthodox Christians. We follow a Master whowent about doing good, Whose sacrificial lifewas so transforming, so constructive, that itchanged the very face of the world. We are,therefore, expected to make each and every dayfruitful of good deeds done in the spirit ofChrist. Let none of us think that this is an easyway to travel. It requires careful thought, intel-ligent planning, unremitting exercise of the willand unfailing devotion of the heart.

The richest prizes of life, the finest pos-sessions, cannot be won except by paying thenecessary price. The ability to render music likea Rubinstein or a Heifetz has been paid for bystudy, painstaking care, concentration, intermi-nable practice, self-denial and plain hard work.Those who think that the supreme gifts andsuperlative blessing offered through Christ'sgospel will be handed to them on a silver platterwill have a rude awakening and a bitter disap-pointment.

Some might say that what is writtenhere is calculated to frighten people away fromthe Christian life rather than to persuade andconvince them to enter into it. This, however,is just not so. We all know that there is some-thing very appealing and attractive in at-tempting or tackling something difficult. Hard-ships serve to bring out the best that is in us.We grow strong in times of testing. There a t emany blessings to be gained in life's race, andlife everlasting without end, awaits the win-ners.

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Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sv. Jovan Sangajski

Неутешна и бескрајна би морала битинаша туга за нама блискима када умиру, кад намГоспод не би поклонио живот вечни. Бесмисленби наш живот био ако би се завршавао смрћу.Каква је корист онда од врлине, од добрих дела?У праву су онда они који говоре "јешћемо ипићемо, јер ћемо сутра умрети". Али човек јестворен за бесмртност, а Својим ВаскрсењемХристос отвори двери Царства Небеског, вечногблаженства онима који у Њега вероваху иживљаху праведно. Наш земаљски живот јеприпрема за онај будући и нашом смрћу завршавасе та припрема. "Човеку следује да једном умре, апотом суд. " Напушта човек тада све својеземаљске бриге, тело се распада, да би поновоустало при општем васкрсењу. Али душа његованаставља да живи и ни на трен не прекида својепостојање. Кроз многа јављања мртвих могућенам је да делимично знамо шта се догађа садушом кад она из тела излази. Када се прекинењено гледање очима телесним, тада се откривањено гледање духовно. Оно код оних који умиручесто почиње још пре упокојења и они, видећионе који су око њих и чак разговарајући са њима,виде оно што други не виде. А када изађе из тела,душа се обрете међу другим духовима, добрим излим.

Она обично тежи онима који су јој духовноблискији, а ако је, док се налазила у телу, онабила под утицајем неких, остаје зависна од њих ипо изласку и тела, ма колико непријатни јој биликада их сретне.

Током два дана душа користиизвесну слободу, може да посећује местана земљи која су јој драга, а трећег дана

креће у друге просторе. При томе она пролазикроз мноштво злих духова који јој стају на пут иокривљују је за различите грехе, на које су јеони сами навели. Према откривењима, постојидвадесет таквих препрека, такозванихмитарстава; на сваком од њих се искушава оваили она врста греха; прошавши кроз једно,

душа доспева у друго и тек када успешносавлада сва искушења душа може да настависвој пут, а да не буде одмах бачена у пакао.Колико су ужасни ти злодуси и њиховаискушења показује то што је Сама Богородица,кад јој је арханђел Гаврило најавио скори крај,молила Сина Свога да је избави од тих злодуха ишто се, испуњавајући Њену молбу Сам ГосподИсус Христос појавио са Неба да прихвати душуСвоје Пречисте Мајке и вазнесе је на небо.Страшан је трећи дан за душу преминулог и затосу јој тада посебно потребне молитве за њу.Срећно прошавши искушења и поклонивши сеБогу, душа током наредних тридесет седам данапосећује небеска насеља и бездане паклене, незнајући још где ће се наћи и тек четрдесетогдана одређује јој се место до Васкрсења мртвих.Неке душе се налазе у стању наслађивањабудућом радошћу и блаженством, а друге устраху од мука вечних, које ће коначнонаступити после Страшнога Суда. До тада сујош могуће промене у стању душа, посебно крозприношење за њих Бескрвне жртве (помињањена Литургији), а такође и кроз друге молитве.Колико је при томе важно помињање наЛитургији показује следећи догађај. Предоткривање моштију св. Теодосија Черниговског(1896. год. ), свештеник који је обављаопресвлачење моштију је, пошто се уморио,задремао седећи крај моштију и угледао је предсобом светитеља који му је рекао: "Захваљујемти што си се око мене потрудио. Још те молим,када будеш вршио Литургију, помени родитељемоје" - и изговорио је њихова имена (јерејНикита и Марија). "Како ти, светитељ, од менемолитве тражиш, када си сам крај престола

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Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .небеског и људима пружаш милост Божију" -питао је свештеник. "Да, то је тачно - одговориоје св. Теодосије, - али приношење на Литургији,јаче је од моје молитве. "

Зато су корисна покојницима и опела и кућнемолитве за упокојене, и добра дела која се чинењима у спомен као, на пример, милостиња,дарови црквама, али им је посебно кориснопомињање на Божанској Литургији. Било јемного јављања упокојених и других догађаја којипотврђују колико је благотворно спомињањепокојника. Многи који су умрли кајући се, алинису успели да то покажу за живота, ослободилису мука и добили су упокојење. У Цркви се увекупућују молитве за упокојење преминулих и чакна дан силаска Светог Духа, у молитвама које сеобављају на коленима, на вечерњој службипостоји посебна молитва за "оне што су паклазаточници". А свако од нас ко жели да покажесвоју љубав према преминулима и да им пружистварну помоћ, најбоље то може да уради крозмолитву за њих, посебно њиховим спомињањемна Литургији, када се честице које се узимају заживе и за мртве стављају у Крв Господњу уз речи"Очисти, Господе, грехе овде поменутих ТвојомКрвљу пречистом, молитвама светитеља Твојих".Ништа више и боље не можемо да учинимо замртве него да се молимо за њих, дајући им поменна Литургији. То им је увек потребно, а посебно уоних четрдесет дана, у којима душа преминулогпролази свој пут до вечног боравишта. Тело таданишта не осећа, не види ближње који су сеокупили, не мирише му цвећа мирис благи, нечује говоре надгробне. Али осећа душа молитвешто се за њу упућују, постајући захвална идуховно блиска онима који их творе.

Рођаци и ближњи преминулих! Чините за њихоно што им је потребно и што је у вашој моћи. Нетрошите средства на спољашње украшавањековчега и гроба, него на помоћ онима којима јепотребна, у спомен на блиске покојнике, нацркве, где се за њих упућују молитве. Укажитемилост преминулом, побрините се за душуњегову. Све нас очекује тај пут; како ћемо тада

желети да нас помену у молитвама својим!Будимо и сами милосрдни према покојницима.Чим се неко упокоји, одмах зовите илиобавестите свештеника да прочита "молитву поизласку душе", која је одређена да се чита надсвима православнима одмах по њиховом крају.

Постарајте се да се, ако постоји могућност,опело изврши у цркви и да се пре опела надпокојником чита Псалтир. Опело не мора битираскошно, али се мора обавити у потпуности,без скраћивања; немојте тада мислити о себи исвојим погодностима, него о преминулом, одкога се заувек опраштате. Ако је истовремено уцркви неколико покојника, немојте се противититоме да их заједно опоју. Боље нека опоју двојеили више покојника заједно и још ће усрднијабити молитва свих њихових ближњих који су сеокупили, него да опело буде за свакогпојединачно и да се, у недостатку снаге ивремена, скраћује служба, када је свака речмолитве за преминулога као кап воде жедноме.Обавезно се одмах побрините да се обави"сорокоуст", тј. свакодневни помен на Литургијитоком четрдесет дана. Обично се у црквама, укојима се одвија свакодневна служба,преминули који су тамо опојани помињу токомчетрдесет дана и више. А ако је опело у црквигде нема свакодневне службе, ближњи морајусами да се побрину и да закажу "сорокоуст"тамо где постоји свакодневна служба. Добро јетакође давати на помен у манастире и уЈерусалим, где је непрекидна молитва на светимместима. Али се "сорокоуст" мора почети одмахпосле смрти, када је души посебно потребнамолитвена помоћ и зато се помињање почиње унајближем месту у коме постоји свакодневнаслужба.

Бринућемо се о онима који на другисвет одлазе пре нас, да бисмо за њих учинилисве што можемо, сећајући се да су "блаженимилостиви, јер ће бити помиловани".

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Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Calendar of EventsWe are publishing a calendar of events

so that you and your familycan join us for these events. All are welcome

and we hope to see you at Church,as well as these events.

More details will follow.

August 4, Informative meetingAugust 25, church Slava CelebrationSeptember 29, 7th Annual Cevapi Cook-ofPicnic and Registration for Sunday schoolOctober 12, Serbian FestivalNovember 10,Stewardship SundayNovember 16, Slavic Festival

Your Church Board Welcomes you.


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CHARGES FOR RELIGIOUS RITES - TREBESteward Non-Steward

Wedding $50 $500Baptism Donation DonationChurch Funeral Donation $300Chapel $50 $300Parastos—Panihida $25 $100Pomen $15 $ 50Certificates $10 $ 20

Parish StatisticsBAPTISM: July 7, Sarah Nicol, daughter of Gabriel & Ionela Dinca

July 9, Eva Victoria, daughterof Gabriel & Ksenia Gheorghe

July 26, Simon Metzl, Son of Rainer & Kristina Metzl

July 26, Katharina Metzl daughterof Rainer & Kristina Metzl

FUNERAL: July 8, Lusia M. Simic from Sacramento, Memory eternal! – Vecnaja Pamjat!

PARASTOS: June 2, Tamara Levsh Memory eternal! –Vecnaja Pamjat!

BECOME A SHEPHERDSPONSOR FOR 2013

Please consider becoming a Shepherd Spon-sor. For $ 25 you will become a bronze

Sponsor, for $ 50 a Silver Sponsor and for $100.00 a gold Sponsor. Your name or the

name of a loved one will be listed.You could advertise your business thru our

SHEPHERD

QUESTIONS-QUESTIONS-QUESTIONS

Do you have a question of a spiritual orreligious nature? If you do, please write it

down and give it to one of our tutors or Priestsany Sunday. One Sunday a month we will an-swer the question during the usual time for theSunday sermon. Please try to keep your ques-tions to things that may be of broader interest

to others as well.

SHEPHERD SPONSOR for2013

GOLD SPONSORSHIPFor good health of his family

ByGene Pleces

SHEPHERD SPONSOR for2013

SILVER SPONSORSHIPFor good Health of their family

byMilivoje & Cveta Radovanovic


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YOU AND YOUR FAMILYARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND OUR

CHURCH SLAVA– CRKVENA SLAVAAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

SundayAugust 25,

2013

NedeljaAvgust 25,

2013

10:00 - Hierarchical Divine Liturgy –Arhijerejska Liturgija

Concelebrated by Bishop Maxim andlocal clergy

Follow with Parastos for deceased founders, membersand contributors of our church

11:30 am Procession around the church -LITIJA-

12:15 am Blessing/cutting of Slava Kolac &Banquet at Serbian Center


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Parishioners hospitalized, sick at home or in nursing homes…Proto Miladin Garic Greta Ljubisavljevic Alexandra FitzpatrickNikola Dragovic Ana Bozinovic Milli MatacicDusko Pesevic Marta Mamika Persa Dragovic

Sandy Tobe Michael Melnikov Nada KosanovicMilos Kovac Ana Mileusnich Daisy FreemanMichael Sadownikov Oleg & Irina Butin Ana LisnichFrancis Sokitch Milanka Miladinocvic Mihailo KruskaOlivija Taso Danilo Pavicevich Djorge Janjic

Dear Brothers and Sisters, please remember these people in your daily prayers. If you know anyone who is sickplease let Father Dane know. He would like to visit them and pray for them. His telephone number is 966-6276

or 606-8808.

When your are making a donation to our Church,please note on the check (under the memo field) what itis for. This is because we have no way of knowing yourintent for the donation. Otherwise, if there is no suchnotation, and if you are already a steward, the donationwill automatically apply towards your stewardship. Ifyou are not a steward, it will be applied as a church do-nation.

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

An atheist was seated next to a little girl on an airplane and he turned to her and said,"Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow pas-sengers. The little girl who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, "Whatwould you want to talk about?"Oh, 1 don't know," said the atheist. How about why there is no God, or no Heaven or Hell, or nolife after death?" as he smiled smugly."Oh," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, acow, and a deer all eat the same stuff-grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turnsour a flat patty, but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?" The atheist, visiblysurprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea." Towhich the little girl replies, "Do you feel qualified to discuss why there is no God, or no Heavenor Hell, or no life after death, when you don't know shit?"


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In Memory of my Father Ilic Miroslav…….Miroslav & Zorica Ilic…….$ 100.00

In Memory of Deacon Plefka for Endow-ment FundDaisy Freeman ……………………$ 10.00

In Memory of my mother Vukosava Berak

Zorka & Nikola Tica …………..$ 100.00

U pokoj Duse Kume Vukosave BerakStanley & Vesna Mojsich ………….$ 50.00

Bill & Martha Mamika …………..$ 30.00Mirjana Ilic …………………...$ 25.00

EasterZlatko & Kimberly Theodorovic ….$ 250.00Gene Plecas …………………….$ 100.00Donald & Nada Halkovic…………..$ 50.00Carolyn Metzka…………………….$ 50.00Korbe/Cheremeteff………………...$ 20.00

Easter Flowers for good Health: Ilija, Ana,Julie, Dragoslav, Eli & BogdanIlija & Anna Bradaric……………...$ 20.00

Easter Flowers Za zdravlje Milan, Betty,Jovan, Milena , Aleksanear and Natasha Ticaand In Memory of Majke Bebe Petre

Milan & Betty Tica ……………..$ 25.00

Easter Flowers In Memory of Jelka Sapon-jic,Milka Prijic,Milan Prijic, Ilija Grbic &Danilo CulamicAngelia Jovanovic………………...$ 20.00

Easter Flowers In Memory of Peter MrvosElsie Mrvos……………………….$ 25.00

Easter Flowers In Memory of Boris Pet-rovich Draginja Petrovich……...$ 50.00

Easter Flowers In Memory of the familyNada Kosanovic…………………...$ 50.00

Easter Flowers In Memory of my MotherMartha KardumPatricia Culjak ………………...$ 100.00

Za Pokoj Duse Mojoj braci Simo, Mirko,Veljko, Branka, Lubomir, Majka Joka, OcuPetar, Svekru StojanuI Svekrvi DraginjMilica Turjacanin………………….$ 20.00Milanka Radosavljevic …………..$ 20.00Paula Kordic …………………...$ 10.00Robert Miller …………………... $ 10.00Biserka Delich …………………... $ 5.00Pavle & Bosiljka Cvjetkovic……... $ 20.00Daniel & Elena Morrow…………. $ 50.00Robert Miller …………………...$ 10.00Walter & Rexene Plecas…………. $ 50.00

In Memory of Michael PlefkaDanica Gojkovich Ryder ………..$ 80.00Robert & Zorka Gojkovich………..$ 25.00

Donations for March

Shepherd Donations

Donations for April

Easter Flowers


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In Memory of Marko & Boya PiljaRobert & Daisy Eisenberg………..$ 50.00

May God continue to bless our beautifulnew grandbabies: Nikica & ElizabethMilunovich throughout their lives as he hasblessed our family with their birthNeda & Dusan Milunovich……...$ 200.00

Patricia Culjak …………………..$ 25.00Paula Kordic …………………..$ 25.00Walter & Rexene Plecas ………...$ 50.00Djoko Micanovic………………….$ 25.00

Bronze Sposorship for Bob Richardson'sgood healthMilton & Vera Richardson………..$ 25.00For bread donationMilos & Mileva Radmanovich ….$ 10.00

May Donations

Easter - UskrsJoseph & Annette Chinn………….$ 500.00Elia & Milena Kentera …………..$ 100.00Robert Miller …………………...$ 50.00Steven & Gail Kosach …………..$ 50.00Ana Mileusnic …………………...$ 50.00George & Patricia Saraba………….$ 25.00Paula Kordic …………………...$ 25.00Savka Mileusnic ………….. $ 20.00Mirjana Markovic ………….. $ 30.00Michael Melnikov ………….. $ 20.00Drazenka Trkulja ………….. $ 40.00Marcia Kovac …………………...$ 20.00Frances Havens …………………..$ 500.00

David Sokitch ………………….$ 200.00Jovana Ilic …………………. $ 200.00Silvia Kentera ………………….$ 100.00Nina Sadovnikov ………….$ 100.00Bisrka Delich ………………….$ 100.00Margaret Chernay ………....$ 100.00Natalie Fitzpatrick ………….$ 100.00Proto & Protinica Popovic ...$ 130.00Ilinka & George Meglemere……..$ 100.00Dosta & Vojislav Nikolic ……….$ 50.00Savo & Bosiljka Petrovic ………. $ 50.00Dragan & Michelle Vidovich ….$ 50.00Vinka & Obren Petrovic………….$ 50.00Radmila Bogdanich …………..$ 50.00Trina & Michael Jovovich……….. $ 50.00Borislav & Mirjana Ilic …………..$ 25.00Anne Cippa …………………….$ 25.00John, Helen & Sofija Feutz Pasic ….$ 25.00Daisy Freeman …………………….$ 25.00Ilija & Anna Bradaric …………... $ 50.00Mirjana Markovic …………...$ 50.00Milos & Mileva Radmanovich …..$ 300.00Bozidarka Thjeodorovic …………..$ 30.00Zarko & Nedeljka Petrovic………...$ 100.00Zorka Theodorovic …………... $ 100.00Ivanka Stefanovic …………... $ 50.00Ljubodrag Ljubisavljevic…………..$ 250.00Joe & Helen Rodriguez …………...$ 100.00Borka Malkovich ………….. $ 100.00Kim Glazzard …………………... $ 20.00Velika Pejovich…………………...$ 40.00John & Nevenka Kordic………….. $ 100.00Boris & Milica Jeremic ………….. $ 200.00Nada & Zoran Jokic …………..$ 40.00Robert & Zorka Gojkovich ……….$ 50.00Zora Crnogorac…………………….$ 20.00

Shepherd


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Often time, man complains aboutbeing unfortunate, but he is not

always right.

Once, a poor man went to church tocomplain to God that he has no

shoes to wear.

But in front of the church he saw aman with no legs.

Then our man, ashamed of histhoughts gave thanks to the Lord for

his healthy legs.

(Elder Justin Pārvu,

Andja & Dragoljub Cvjetkovic…….$ 100.00Jovo Tica …………………….$ 25.00Nikola & Zorka Tica …………...$ 100.00Pavo & Bosiljka Cvjetkovic………. $ 50.00Gariela Kirilova Iliev …………...$ 10.00Stanley & Vesna Mojsich ………..$ 138.00Anonymous …………………....$ 108.00Slavko & Milica Turjacanin .….$ 40.00Dorothy Milosovich …………...$ 50.00Peter & Donna Djukanovich……...$ 50.00Proto & Protinica Weir …………...$ 100.00Borislav & Radmila Milanovic …...$ 100.00Daniel Visnich …………………….$ 100.00

Easter In Memory of Jovan & BoroAdriana & Ray …………………...$ 50.00

Easter In Memory of Stephen RyderDanica Gojkovich Ryder ………...$ 50.00

Good FridayDavid Sokitch ……………………$ 20.00

Merrilee Mason…………………..$ 24.00George & Mary Mileusnic ……….$ 24.00Michael & Catherine Tarbot……..$ 25.00

Shepherd In Memory of Kuma Jelka SaponicAngelia Jovanovic…………………. $ 100.00

Donation Supica Foundation-Save the Chil-drenCircle of Serbian Sisters ………...$ 300.00

Shepherd

In Memory of Mike “Cougar’ Evasovuic ByMark & Susan Evasovic ………...$ 500.00KK & BM Lobodovsky ………... $ 24.00Anne Cippa ………………….$ 24.00

In Honor of Elsie Mrvos' BirthdayGladys Katsikis …………………..$ 50.00

June 2013 Donations

Shepherd

Annual Serbian FestivalOctober 12th 2013


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Bogovidac,~udotvorac, rev-nitelj vereBoìje, Sv. Ilija

bi rodom od plemana Aronova izgrada Tesvita, zbog ~ega bi prozvanTesvi}anin. Kada se Ilija rodi, otacnjegov Savah vide angele Boìjeoko deteta, kako ognjem detepovijaju I plamen mu daju da jede.To bi predznamenje Ilijinog pla-menog karaktera I njegove bogo-dane sile ognjene. Svu mladostsvoju proveo je u bogomisliju I mo-litvi, povla~e}I se ~esto u pustinju,da u ti{ini razmi{lja I moli se. U tovreme carstvo jevrejsko be{e razdel-jeno na dva nejednaka dela: carstvoJudino obuhvataju}I samo dva ple-mena, Judino I venijaminovo, saprestonicom u Jerusalimu, I carstvoIzrailjevo obuhvataju}I ostalih 10plemena sa prestonicom u Samariji.Prvim carstvom vladahu potomciSolomonovi, a drugim potomciJerovoamovim, sluge Solomonova.Najve}I sukob ima{e prorok Ilija saIzrailjskim carem Ahavom I njego-vom opakom ènom Jezaveljom. Jerovi se klanjahu idolima I odvra}ahu

narod dasluÌ Bogu

jedinome Iìvome pri tome jo{ Jezavelja, kaoSamarijanka, nagovori muà te podièhram Sirijskom Bogu Baalu, I odredimnoge sve{tenike na slu`bu tomela`nom bogu. Velikim ~udesima Ilijadokaza silu I vlast Boìju: on zatvorinebo, te ne bi ki{e tri godine I {estmeseci; spusti oganj s neba I zapali`rtvu Bogu svome, dok `re~evi Vaa-lovi to ne mogo{e u~initi; svede ki{u sneba molitvom svojom; ~udesnoumnoÌ bra{no I ulje u ku}I udovice uSarepti, I vaskrse joj umrlog sina;prore~e Ahavu, da }e mu psi krv li-zati, I Jezavelja, da }e je psi izesti, {tose I dogodi; I druga mnoga ~udesau~ini I doga|aje prore~e. Na Horivurazgovara{e s Bogom I ~u glas Bo`ju utihom svetlom povetarcu. Pred smrtuze Jeliseja I odredi ga za naslednikau proro~kom zvanju; svojim ogrta~emprese~e vodu u Jordanu: I najzad biuzet na nebo u ognjenim kolima saognjenim konjima. Na Tavoru javio sezajedno sa Mojsijem Gospodu na{emIsusu Hristu. Pred kraj sveta opet }ese Ilija javiti, da suzbije silu Antihrista(Otkrovenje 11.).

Srpski Festival12-ti Oktobar, 2013


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There is an enigma in American soci-ety today regarding the very question of God.Although our currency proudly notes that it is"in God we trust", and though we vocally pro-claim in our 'Pledge of Allegiance' that we are"one nation under God", the evidence suggeststhat such faith is hardly as encompassing asone might expect. Countless churches havemore than an abundance of empty seats onSunday morning. Public morality often is morein tune with the mores of the media than of theScripture. Finally, the ranks of agnostics andpractical atheists hardly seem depleted. Why isit that religious faith appears to be in jeopardyin 21st century America?

Although the reasons are varied andcomplex, many would simply conclude that theresponsibility is a consequence of the techno-logical age in which we live. However, thisthesis has been radically challenged in a re-cently published book by James Turner enti-tled: "Without God, Without Creed". He sug-gests the shocking proposition that "the naturalparents of unbelief turn out to have been theguardians of belief... One comes at last to real-ize that it was religion itself that gave birth tounbelief." His argument is based on the prem-ise that many in the West, "in an effort to berelevant, ignored the transcendence" of God.Rather than challenging man to grow in thelikeness of God, it was man who thus sought tomake God into the very image of man.

Eastern Orthodoxy has a unique poten-tial to respond clearly to the notion of the de-mise of God which has already begun to bearits fruit in our society. This is so because theOrthodox Church offers contemporary man thesame gift it has offered throughout the ages, a

way of life,as BishopMaximoshas noted,

that "is known for its expe- riential ap-proach to life and doctrine."

The Anglican Canon of Canterbury Cathe-dral, A.M. Allchin, in his recent work, "TheKingdom of Love and Knowledge", contendsthat Orthodoxy is" capable of making a contri-bution which is more important than commonlyrecognized through the specific Orthodox char-acter and insight in its approach to God...Though its witness is little heeded in the West,it has a right to claim that it has faithfully pre-served the inner experience and understandingof the first Christian centuries."

For Orthodox Christians, the way tothe knowledge (experience) of God rests in thewillingness to proceed along the journey whichleads man from the image to the very likenessof God. Theosis, oneness with God, is the con-sequence of responding to the call for repen-tance, of actively seeking to know and live thewill of God, of finding nurture and strengththrough the community which is the Church tolive in faith, charity and in love. In such a way,modern man can come to encounter the veryOne who is ever-present, yet so seemingly ab-sent in the world in which we live.

Make no mistake about it. OrthodoxChristianity offers to the non-Orthodox a seri-ous response to the dilemma of despair andmeaninglessness in the modern world. Yet lestwe succumb to the sin of pride, we need to bekeenly aware that such a response can only berealized if Orthodox Christians themselves,heirs to the ongoing life of the Church, activelyare about the business of living their faith. Solet the Light shine that the inheritance which isalready ours may brighten the lives of count-less others and enhance the quality of faith andlife in modern America.


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From the mundaneactivities of life a pearl occa-sionally jumps out. Standing inline to make a purchase at asupermarket, I glanced oversome nearby magazines—nodoubt placed there to motivatelast minute spending—and no-ticed a headline which read:"Get balance back in your life.Americans are working fewerhours, exercising more, surfingthe Net less and spending mbretime with family. You can too."Although "spending more timewith family" came last in theorder of presentation, its inclu-sion made me purchase themagazine (the May 2003 issueof Smart Money). It seemed to

me an interesting article for this type of magazine.

Perhaps Americans want to make their livesmore meaningful by investing in relationships withfamily and friends and being less driven by theircareers and material success. "We are shaving downour working hours," read the article, "and plantingseeds in other half-forgotten areas of our lives: fam-ily, friendship, spirituality, hobbies. We are busyredefining ourselves—who we are and what we careabout."

"Who we are and what we care about"

Commitment to family is an integral part ofOrthodox teaching, defining "who we are and whatwe care about." Throughout the Bible we learn ofmany families and their trials. God said, "It is notgood that the man should be alone; I will make ahelper fit for him" (Genesis 1:18). After creating

Adam, God took a rib from him and "the rib that theLord God had taken from the man he made

into a woman and brought her to theman" (Genesis 2:22). This was the first

family as created by God,Adam and Eve. In thebook of Ruth we dis-

cover Ruth and Naomi, her mother-in-law, joiningtogether after they are both widowed. Imagine abride and her mother-in-law together as a family,suffering hardships, supporting each other.

In Matthew 12:48 we find Jesus extending the defini-tion of family when he points to his disciples andsays, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Forwhoever does the will of my Father in heaven is mybrother and sister and mother." The Church is a fam-ily of those who follow the will of the Father. As afamily headed by Christ, we do not follow socialtrends but ground our lives upon worship and obedi-ence to God.

This implies, of course, that we must make timefor family, praying together at meals and in thehome. Parents, as St. John Chrysostom says, are in-structors in the home, guiding their children in thelove of God. We also must come together for com-munal prayer and worship with the larger family ofthe local parish week after week. Sundays spent wor-shiping in the Divine Liturgy are the bookends of ourweekly life. We come together to be fed by the HolyEucharist, edified by the Gospel, and supported bythe community of the faithful so that we can bearmed and able to live, work, and play the remainderof the week. We set aside for God his Day—kyriaki—the Day of the Lord. The Church also designates fast-ing periods such as Great I.ent, the Dormition of theTheotokos, the Disciples' Fast, and the Nativity Fast.In her wisdom, the Church gives us these specialtimes to help us re-ptioririze our lives. Knowing thatwe easily fall away from Christ-centeredness throughthe everyday living of life, the Church teaches us tomake God, Jesus Christ, the and Family our priori-ties, litis is an interesting concept—to live life for thejoy of God and the salvation of otve's soul. If we dothis with humility and love, then family will naturallybe a major concern and source of joy.

Fr. Constantine L. Sitaras

“Be Carefulthen how

you live, Notas unwisepeople but

as wise,making themost of the

time.Because the

days areevil”

Ephesians 5:15-16


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Very Rev. Bill WeirIt could have been a hot, steamy, damp

day in a jungle far away or in a tent on thesweltering desert sands. We can imagine ayoung soldier sitting alone, deep in thoughtas he stared at a picture of his wife andchildren back home in the United States.His mind begins to wander across the milesto other Sunday mornings that seemed solong ago and so far away.

He knew that in his homeland his familywould soon be going to Church to pray forhis well-being and his safe return. As hemused on these thoughts, he reached for adeck of cards and started to spread themout across his bunk. As he did so, a ser-geant stopped by and asked: “You plan-ning on a game? You know that gamblingisn’t allowed.” The young soldier replied:“No, I’m going to spend some quiet timewith the Lord.” The sergeant said, “Son, itlooks to me like you’re fixin’ to playcards.” The soldier replied: “No, you see,I don’t have my Bible and since we can’tdisplay our religion in public here, Ibrought along a deck of cards.” With that,the young soldier started his story.

“You see, when I look at the Ace, it re-minds me that there is but one God.The deuce reminds me that the Bible is di-vided into two parts, the Old and the NewTestaments.

When I look at the trey, I think of theFather, Son and the Holy Spirit.When I see the four, I’m reminded of the

Four Evangelists who preached the Gospel;they were Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.The five brings to mind the five wise vir-gins who trimmed their lamps while await-ing the bridegroom and were admitted tothe feast or the five foolish who were shutout.

The six tells me of the six days thatGod made heaven and earth and the sevenreminds me of the day that God rested fromHis great work.

The eight tells me of the eight righteouspeople God saved when He destroyed thisold world. There was Noah, his wife, theirthree sons and their three wives.

The nine brings to mind the nine of theten lepers who were cured when they werecleansed by our Saviour, and who nevercame back to give thanks, just the one.

The ten, of course is the ten command-ments God handed down to Moses on thetablets of stone.

The King reminds me that there is butone King of Heaven, God Almighty. TheQueen, of course, is the Blessed VirginMary, Queen of Heaven. The Jack, orKnave is Satin.

Then I count the spots on a deck ofcards. I count 365, the number of days in ayear. There are 52 cards, the number ofweeks in a year. Four suits, the number ofweeks in a month and the number of sea-sons in a year. The twelve picture cardsequal the number of months. If you playany games, you know there are thirteentricks, the number of weeks in a quarter.So, you see, sergeant, this deck of cardsserves me as a Bible, an Almanac, a calen-dar and a prayer book.”


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Avgust 28Gospod koji je na Sinaju zapovedio

petom zapove{}u: “Po{tuj oca svoga i matersvoju” (5. Mojs.5:16). Pokazao je primeromSvojim, kako treba po{tovati roditeljku svoju.Vise}i na krstu u mukama, On se seti Ma-tere Svoje i pokazuju}i na apostola Jovanare~e joj: “@eno, eto ti sina! Potom re~eu~eniku: Eto ti majke!” (Jn.19:26-27). Itako zbrinuv{i Svoju Majku, On izdahnu.Jovan ima{e dom na Sionu u Jeru-salimu, u koji se nastani i Bo-gorodica i osta da ìvi do krajasvojih dana na zemlji. Svojim molit-vama, blagim savetima, kroto{}u itrpljivo{}u ona mnogo pomaga{eapostolima Sina svoga. Uglavnomsve vreme do smrti provela je ona u Jeru-salimu obilaze}i ~esto ona mesta, koja su jepodse}ala na velike doga|aje i na velika delaSina svoga. Naro~ito je ~esto pohodila Gol-gotu, Vitlejem i goru Jeleonsku. Od njenihduìh putovanja pominje se njena poseta sve-tom Ignjatiju Bogonoscu u Antiohiji, posetasvetom Lazaru ~etvorodnevnom, episkopu ki-parskom, poseta Svetoj Gori koju je ona bla-goslovila, i bavljenjem u Efesu sa svetimJovanom za vreme velikog gonjenja hri{}ana uJerusalimu. U svojoj starosti ona se ~estomolila Gospodu i Bogu svome na Jeleonskojgori, na mestu Vaznasenja Njegova, da je {topre uzme iz ovoga sveta. Jednom prilikom javijoj se arhanmgel Gavril, i objavi joj , da }ekroz tri dana biti upokojena. I dada joj angel

Bo`ji jednu granu palmovu, koja }e senositi pri njenom sprovodu. S velikom rado{}u ona se vrati domu poèlev{I u srcu, dajo{ jedanput u ovom ìvotu vidi sve apostoleHriostove. Gospod joj ispuni ovu èlju, isvi apostoli, no{eni angelima i oblacima,najedanput se sabra{e u dom Jovanov naSionu. Sa velikom rado{}u ona svete apos-tole, ohrabri, posavetova i ute{i; potommirno predade duh svoj Bogu bez ikakvemuke i bolesti telesne. Apostoli uze{ekov~eg s telom njenim, od koga izlaà{earomatni miris, i u pratnji mno{tvo hri{}ana

prene{e u vrt Getsimanski ugrobnicu svetih Joakima i Ane.Od zlobnih Jevreja zaklanja{eih oblak po Promislu Bo`jem.Neki sve{tenik jevrejski, An-tonije, dohvati rukama kov~egu nameri da ga preturi, ali u

tom ~asu angel Bo`ji odse~e mo obe ruke.Tada on zavapi apostolima za pomo}, i biisceljen po{to izjavi svoju veru u GospodaIsusa Hrista. Apostol Toma be{e izostao,opet po Bo`jem Promislu, da bi se takoopet otkrila jedna nova i preslavna tajna oPresvetoj Bogorodici. Ttre}eg dana stiè ion, i poèle da celiva telo PresvetePre~iste. No kada apostoli otvori{e grob,na|o{e samo pla{tanicu, a tela ne be{e ugrobu. Toga ve~era ona se javi aposto-lima—mo{tvom angela okruèna, i re~e im:“Radujte se, ja }u biti s vama navek”. Nezna se ta~no, koliko stara be{e Bogorodicau vreme uspenija svoga, ali preovla|uje mi{ljenje, da je bila pre{la {ezdeset godinasvoga zemnog veka.


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Celebrated August 28thThe Lord who on Mt. Sinai

gave the commandment to honor fatherand mother showed by His own examplehow one must reverence one's parent. Evenwhile hanging in agony onthe Cross He rememberedHis mother, and indicatingthe Apostle John said,"Woman, behold yourson!", and to John, "Beholdyour mother!" With this con-cern for His mother, Hebreathed His last. John had a home onZion in Jerusalem where he settled theMother of God and where she passed theremaining days of her life on earth. By herprayers, her kindly advice, her meeknessand patience, she was of immense help toher Son's apostles. She spent virtually therest of here life in Jerusalem, often goinground the places that reminded her of thegreat events and the great works associ-ated with and performed by her Son.She especially visited Golgotha, Bethlehemand the Mount of Olives. Of her journeysfarther a field her visit to St. Ignatius theGod-Bearer is recorded as are those to St.Lazarus the Four-days-dead, Bishop ofCyprus, to the Holy Mountain, to which shegave her blessing and her stay in Ephesuswith John during a fierce persecution ofChristians in Jerusalem. In old age she of-ten prayed to her Lord and God on theMount of Olives on the spot from which Heascended, to take her from this world. One

day the Archangel Gabriel ap-peared to her

and revealedthat shewould

enter into rest in threedays' time. The angel gave her a palmbranch to be carried in her funeral proces-sion. She returned home with great joy with

the heartfelt hope that shewould see Christ's apostles oncemore in this life. The Lord ful-filled her desire and all theapostles brought by angels onthe clouds, gathered togetherat John's house on Zion. It waswith great joy that she saw theholy apostles and she encour-

aged, advised and upheld them, thenpeacefully gave her soul into God's hand;without the slightest physical pain or struggleThe apostles took the coffin containing herbody from which an aromatic fragrancearose, and accompanied by many Christians,took it to the Garden of Gethsemane to thegrave of Sts. Joachim and Anna. It was leftto the Apostle Thomas, who was delayed,again by God's providence, to reveal a newand glorious mystery about the Holy Motherof God. He arrived on the third day anddesired to embrace the body of the holyand most pure. When the apostle openedher grave, he found only the winding sheet -the body was not in the grave. That eveningshe appeared to the apostles, surroundedby a multitude of angels and said to them,"Rejoice, I will be with you always!" It is notknown exactly how old the Mother of Godwas at the time of her falling asleep, but theprevailing belief is that she had reached theage of sixty.

39Serbian Orthodox Church of the Assumption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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PA@NJA SVIM UÊNICIMA NEDELJNE [KOLEPISMO RODITELJIMA

Po~etak nove {kolske godine se pribliàva…. Po~etak novihuzbu|enja i napora za decu, kao i novih obaveza i odgovornosti za ro-ditelje…

Ove godine, kao i pro{lih goadina, na{a nedeljna {kola po~e}e 6 Ok-tobra. Upis dace u {kola obavi}e se u Nedelju 29 September, a 6 Oktobrapo~e}e sa radom.

Kao va{ sve{tenik jo{ jednom èlim da naglasim va`nost verskogvaspitanja, koje Nedeljna {kola daje na{oj dece, kako u pogledu u~enja os-novnih istina na{e Pravoslavne vere, tako i u pogledu njihovog pona{anjaprema roditeljima i bli`njima i pona{anja uop{te u savremenom dru{tvu, ukom ima i suvi{e mnogo {tetnih uticaja. U ovoj plemenitoj èlji Crkve i{kole, moè se uspeti samo ako roditelji pruè svoju saradnju.

ATTENTION ALL SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTSA LETTER TO PARENTS

The beginning of the new SCHOOL YEAR is approaching. Along with it - new excite-ments and efforts for children and new responsibilities for parents and teachers arecoming nearer.

In October (as in past), Sunday School will start with its program for the SchoolYear 2013/2014. Registration for Sunday School will take place on Sunday, September29th , on 6 Oktober the priest will offer a special prayer and School will begin.

Once again, your priest would like to stress the importance of Orthodox Christianeducation for our children. No one Is too well informed about our Holy Orthodox Faith.The time has come for us to put forth every effort possible In helping our children tolearn about Orthodoxy.

To succeed with our educational program, I have to ask, once again, the cooperationof our parents in this important matter. Proto Dane

40Serbian O

rthodox Church of the A

ssumption

7777 Sunset Avenue

Fair Oaks, C

alifornia 95628

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This Issue of theShepherd is dedicatedto the loving m

emory

of Mike

-“Cougar”Evasovic

born April 11,1928

died June 10, 2013by his son

Mark Evasovic

NO

NPR

OFIT

OR

G.

US PO

STA

GE

PAID

PER

MIT

NO

. 576

Documents

SHEPHERD SH RD - sacserbchurch.orgsacserbchurch.org/sac/wp-content/uploads/file/AUGUST_Print 2013.pdf · SHEPHERD A monthly publication ... mnoge molitve Presvetoj Bo-gorodici, koja