Essays on Orthodox Christianity and Church History
Christian Philosophy in the Patristic and Byzantine Tradition
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When the Eastern American and Canadian Diocese was created in 1963,
a long-standing need for more direct Episcopal guidance in this very large
territory was met. The diocese comprised the United States from Ohio to
the east, and all of Canada, still a huge geographical area. Nonetheless,
the diocesan bishop would be able to devote more time and attention to
this area than was possible before under the single diocese. Bishop Stefan
(Lastavica) had the very difficult task of establishing diocesan structures
and procedures from nothing at all. Beginning with his residence in Clairton,
Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh, Bishop Stefan moved his diocesan see to
Cleveland, near St. Sava Cathedral. Although in poor health, Bishop Stefan
was able to lay the groundwork for the future of the diocese. He fell
asleep in the Lord in 1966.
In 1967 the Holy Assembly of Bishops elected Bishop Dr. Sava (Vukovich),
vicar bishop to the Patriarch and professor of liturgics at the Theological
Faculty, as the new bishop of the widowed diocese. Bishop Sava gave more
organization to the functioning of the diocese and made the diocese an
active and effective agent for growth and development. Under his guidance
the diocese became active for the first time in publishing and Christian
education, and began to offer help to parish educational programs. A diocesan
newspaper, the Path of Orthodoxy, began publication (this became
in 1980 the newspaper for the entire Serbian Orthodox Church in the United
States and Canada). Mission work bore fruit in the establishment of parishes
in Columbus, Ohio and St. Petersburg, Florida, and serious pastoral concern
was shown for Canada, resulting in the founding of new parishes in many
areas of that large country. A serious concern was also shown for theological
students and their education, resulting in a program of financial aid
to students of the diocese.
In 1977 Bishop Sava was elected bishop of Sumadia in Yugoslavia
and in 1978 the Holy Assembly elected as the new bishop Father Velimir
Kovacevich, parish priest of St. Archangel Michael Church of South Chicago.
Very active in the life of the Midwest Diocese, Father Velimir had spent
the first half of his ministry as a priest in Johnstown and Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, and so was familiar with the Eastern United States. He took
the monastic name Christopher and was consecrated bishop in Belgrade.
Under his supervision the diocese has expanded its work in education,
publications, and other activities. Among recent publications is the service
Book of the Eight Tones with English text set to Serbian music. The bookstore
was expanded and became a center for distribution of church school materials
to parishes of the diocese and of other jurisdictions as well. Teacher
training seminars and materials have aided the parishes in their educational
programs. Committees have been established for mission and outreach and
for stewardship, and a diocesan census is underway. The parish in North
Miami, Florida was founded. Financial reporting and organization has also
been improved and systematized, putting the diocese on a much sounder
financial footing, and a computer system has aided in the administrative
and publishing activities of the diocese. The diocese has also been the
source of a substantial number of seminary students, whose education it
has subsidized for service to the church.
As the diocese grew and matured, it became clear to all that a
separate diocese for Canada was necessary. The need was apparent to everyone
on both sides of the border, and in 1984 Bishop Christopher proposed to
the Holy Assembly of Bishops that a separate Canadian Diocese be established.
This was done, and in 1985 Bishop Georgije was named the first bishop
of the new diocese with his see in Toronto. This development gave great
joy to all the members of the diocese, both in the United States and in
Canada, for it showed that the Canadian Church was growing and moving
forward.
Diocesan Center
In 1969 a large tract of land was purchased by the diocese for
a monastery and diocesan center in Richfield, Ohio, south of Cleveland.
This became Monastery Marcha. In 1974 a mansion was purchase din Sewickley,
a suburb of Pittsburgh near the airport. The diocesan center was moved
to this site, where it has remained. The Sewickley Episcopal Residence
includes a chapel, bishop’s quarters, guest quarters, reception areas
and offices. Major recent renovations have repaired the building and finished
the basement, providing additional meeting room, a library, office facilities,
and an improved bookstore area. Landscaping and sandblasting has improved
the appearance of the property. It is frequently used for meetings and
conferences.
Monastery Marcha
Meanwhile, Monastery Marcha has continued to grow. It now has a
resident monastic priest, an igumanija (abbess), a tonsured nun
and three novices, and a monastic liturgical life has been established.
The home has been expanded and improved to add additional living and work
space. Further expansion of the living areas will soon be necessary. A
chapel and cemetery are in the planning stages for the property, which
is the only functioning Serbian Orthodox monastery on the continent. The
Eastern Diocese is fortunate indeed to be blessed with such a center of
true Orthodox monasticism, which will even more in the future provide
spiritual food and comfort to all the people of the diocese.
Children’s Camps
In 1966 the Federation of Circles of Serbian Sisters of the Eastern
Diocese purchased property in Doylestown, Ohio, near Akron, for a children’s
summer camp. This property was called the Stefaneum and functioned very
successfully from 1967 to 1979 as the diocesan children’s camp. Consisting
of wooded land with a lake, dining room and dormitories, the property
became redundant when the Shadeland property was regained in 1979. It
is now up for sale.
Shadeland was the children’s camp for the eastern part of
the old single diocese. Regained in 1979 after years of litigation, the
camp has undergone substantial improvements in facilities since then,
and further improvements are planned. The camp itself is a cooperative
venture of the Diocesan Federation of Circles of Serbian Sisters and the
Diocese. Camp programs and attendance have been undergoing a steady improvement.
Parish Activities
The parishes of the diocese have also shown great activity. At
least 13 new churches have been built since 1963, together with a sizeable
number of social halls, school complexes, and picnic areas. Other parishes
have purchased property, and new parishes have been founded in Ohio, Florida,
Canada, and New Jersey. Parish growth has not been limited to finances
and physical plant. A greater cooperation between parishes has been fostered,
and the spiritual and educational activities of most parishes have improved
over the years.
As we look back over a quarter of a century, we thank God for the
great gifts of leadership, love and cooperation He has given us, and for
the fruits of much labor invested in this part of His vineyard. At the
same time we look forward to the future with hope and confidence in God’s
love and care for us and for His Diocese of Eastern America and his Diocese
of Canada.
From 1998 Calendar
of the Serbian Orthodox Church
in the United States of America
and Canada
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