St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Cathedral

“Ravanica”

GLAS RAVANICE NEWSLETTER

JUNE-JULY, 2014

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014

JOIN US IN COMMEMORATING OUR CHURCH JOIN US IN COMMEMORATING OUR CHURCH JOIN US IN COMMEMORATING OUR CHURCH JOIN US IN COMMEMORATING OUR CHURCH

SLAVA VIDOVDSLAVA VIDOVDSLAVA VIDOVDSLAVA VIDOVDAN!AN!AN!AN!

ST. LAZARUS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL “RAVANICA” June 2014 Sunda y Monday Tuesda y Wednesday Thursday Fr ida y Saturda y

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2 DON’T FORGET: CHURCH PICNIC! SUNDAY JULY 27 TH!

3 STS. CONSTANTINE

& HELEN

DIVINE

LITURGY

9 A.M.

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5

6

7 SOUL SATURDAY (ZADUSNICE)

8 TRINITY SUN. PENTECOST

(DUHOVI)

DIVINE

LITURGY

10 A.M.

9 HOLY SPIRIT

DAY!

DIVINE

LITURGY

9 A.M.

10 SPIRIT

TUESDAY!

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13

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15 SUN. 1 AFTER

PENTECOST

DIVINE

LITURGY

10 A.M.

HAPPY

FATHER’S DAY!

16 APOSTLES FAST

BEGINS!

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21 SUMMER BEGINS

22 SUN. 2 AFTER

PENTECOST

DIVINE

LITURGY

10 A.M.

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28 PRINCE

LAZAR

VIDOVDAN

DIVINE

LITURGY

9 A.M.

29 SUN. 3 AFTER

PENTECOST

DIVINE

LITURGY

10 A.M.

VIDOVDAN

CHURCH

SLAVA!

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REMEMBER:

VIDOVDAN

SLAVA

BANQUET!

(Following Divine

Liturgy)

PLEASE COME &

COMMEMORATE

YOUR CHURCH

SLAVA!

HONORED

KUMOVI:

DRAGO &

VIOLET

TIMARAC

CHURCH EXECUTIVE BOARD Mike Balow, President, mikebalow@gmail.com Michael Timarac, 1st Vice President, mtimarac@yahoo.com Bogdan Beslach, 2nd Vice President, butchbeslach@comcast.net Gregory Borchich, Treasurer Milan Golusin, Recording Secretary, milan.golusin@gmail.com Roy Downie, Financial Secretary, rdownie2@gmail.com Bosko Vulinovic, Audit Chairman, bvulinovic@wowway.com Ruza Batanjski, Member at Large, rosemarybat@gmail.com Zivorad (Jim) Petrovich, Member at Large, jim.petrovich@HP.com Donna Rajkovic, Member at Large, donna_rajkovic@yahoo.com Boban Trajcevski, Member at Large, bobant@hotmail V. Rev. Zivan Urosev – Cathedral Dean

Parish Secretary - Sheryl Zatezalo

Affiliated Church Organizations

Serbian Sisters Ravanica President – Donna Rajkovic Ravanica Pensioner’s Club President – Branka Misovski Ravanica Choir President – Dr. Milan Chonich St. Lazarus Church-School Superintendents – Julie Djurich Dr. Ruza Batanjski St. Lazarus Church-School Cultural Program Chairperson – Zoran Djurich & Milorad

Skorich St. Lazarus Sports Club David Willman

ST. LAZARUS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL “RAVANICA” July 2014 Sunda y Monday Tuesda y Wednesday Thursda y Frida y Saturda y

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6 SUN. 4 AFTER

PENTECOST

DIVINE

LITURGY

10 A.M.

7 BIRTH OF JOHN BAPTIST

DIVINE

LITURGY

9 A.M.

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9

10

11

12 APOSTLES

SS. PETER &

PAUL

DIVINE

LITURGY

9 A.M.

13 SUN. 5 AFTER

PENTECOST

DIVINE

LITURGY

10 A.M.

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20 SUN. 6 AFTER

PENTECOST

DIVINE

LITURGY

10 A.M.

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27 SUN. 7 AFTER

PENTECOST

DIVINE

LITURGY

10 A.M.

CHURCH PICNIC!

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St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox

Cathedral “Ravanica”

Services:

Divine Liturgy: Sunday: 10 A.M.

Services are in Serbian, English, and Old Slavonic.

Weekday and Feast Day Services: 9 A.M. (See Church Calendar)

Join us after Divine Liturgy for fellowship lunch/coffee hour in our Cultural

Center! Everyone Welcome!

OFFICE HOURS:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:30 A.M.-2:30 P.M.

Parish Office Phone: (313) 893-6025

Parish Office Fax: (313) 892—6944

Listen to our “Voice of Ravanica” Radio Program-Sundays: 3:00-4:00 P.M.-WNZK 690 AM

“Glas” Newsletter Co-Editors: Donna and Paul Bielich The “Glas” Newsletter Editors and

Church Executive Board assumes responsibility and the right to reject, delete and rewrite any

part or all of the club articles submitted for publication. Any news of social interest should be

submitted to the Editors.

EVENTS

STS. CONSTANTINE & HELEN

JUNE 3, 2014 DIVINE LITURGY 0 A.M.

SOUL SATURDAY (ZADUSNICE)

JUNE 7, 2014

PENTECOST (DUHOVI) Divine Liturgy 10 A.M.

JUNE 8, 2014

RAVANICA CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014RAVANICA CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014RAVANICA CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014RAVANICA CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014

HOLY SPIRIT DAY (DUHOV DAN)

JUNE 9, 2014 DIVINE LITURGY 9 A.M.

SPIRIT TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2014

FATHER’S DAY Divine Liturgy 10 A.M.

June 15, 2014 Happy Father’s Day!

APOSTLES’ FAST BEGINS

JUNE 16, 2014

APOSTLES’ FAST BEGINS

JUNE 16th TO JULY 12th!

PRINCE LAZAR“VIDOVDAN” DIVINE LITURGY

9 A.M.

JUNE 28, 2014

“VIDOVDAN” DIVINE LITURGY 10 A.M.

SLAVA BANQUET FOLLOWING LITURGY

JUNE 29, 2014

CHURCH SLAVA KUMOVI

DRAGO & VIOLET TIMARAC!

SRECNA SLAVA!

JULY 4, 2014

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

JULY 7, 2014 DIVINE LITURGY 9 A.M.

APOSTLES STS. PETER & PAUL DIVINE LITURGY

9 A.M. JULY 12, 2014

ENDING OF APOSTLES FAST!

“RAVANICA” ANNUAL SERBIAN PICNIC!

SUNDAY, JULY 27th ON OUR CHURCH GROUNDS!

GREAT SERBIAN FOOD, MUSIC, KIDS GAMES…

PLEASE JOIN US! SVI STE NAM DOBRO DOSLI!

SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014

This Year’s Slava Kumovi – Drago and Violet Timarac

PLEASE PLAN ON JOINING US IN COMMEMORATING OUR CHURCH SLAVA!

“RAVANICA”“RAVANICA”“RAVANICA”“RAVANICA” CHURCH SLAVACHURCH SLAVACHURCH SLAVACHURCH SLAVA

VIDOVDANVIDOVDANVIDOVDANVIDOVDAN

From the Church’s Records… BAPTISMS: Nathaniel Djordjevich – May 17, 2014 Parents: Danny & Sherri Djordjevich Nicholas Jackman – May 18, 2014 Parents: Greg & Angie Jackman Lucas Apostolovski – May 25, 2014 Parents: Michael & Kelly Apostolovski Lucia Boik – May 31, 2014 Parents: Robert & Nicole Boik Milania Saran - June 1, 2014 Parents: Ognjan & Monika Saran

Maya Timarac – June 1, 2014 Maxim Timarac – June 1, 2014 Parents: Michael & Mirjana (Sally) Timarac Gisele Alpendre – June 6, 2014 Parents: Cristiano & Anja Alpendre Sofia Barach – June 7, 2014 Parents: Nikola & Melissa Barach Marko Fudge – June 8, 2014 Parents: Mark & Gordana Fudge Jon Haezebrouck – June 15, 2014 Parents: Adam & Natalie Haezebrouck

Our Most Sincere Congratulations are extended to the parents, grandparents, kumovi and all relatives of our newly baptized babies. May God bless them all. Mnogaja Ljeta!

MARRIAGES

Jeremy Adkins & Angelina Novakov – May 31, 2014 Ronald Lund & Michelle Petrovic – June 7, 2014 Robert Savich & Kristina Sears – June 8, 2014 Congratulations to the newly married couples, your families and Kumovi. May God grant you many blessed years of joy united in Love. Mnogaja Ljeta!

DEATHS: +Eva Birdean – May 14, 2014 +Louie Marciniak – May 15, 2014 +Protinica Paulina Mijatovich – May 18, 2014 Grant rest eternal in blessed falling asleep, O Lord, to the soul of Thy departed Servants, and make their memory to be eternal. Vjecnaja Pamjat!

The Sower and the Seed by Fr. Zivojin Jakovljevic. Reprinted with permission.

A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell upon the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away because it had no moisture. And some of them fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold (Luke 8:5-8). In the parable of the Sower and the Seed, Christ explains that the seed is the word of God. People's hearts are the soil. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved (Luke 8:11-12). These are the people who receive God's word but ultimately lose their faith because of the devil's temptations. How does the devil have access to us? Why do we sometimes let him in? The answer is, because we lack humility. True faith is a gift from God—some have it, and some do not—and to receive and keep it requires humility. True faith means that we are certain that God exists. For us to be sure of anything, God must reveal it to us. He reveals His divine truths to the humble, the lowly of heart, and not to the proud and conceited. Just as when rain falls from the sky, the water never stays on the peaks of the highest mountains—it descends into the lowest of valleys. In the same way, revelations from God descend past the proud and are collected below, by the humble. Christians who lived before us were so firm in their belief of the heavenly kingdom, that they were willing to give their lives for that faith. This strength of faith can only come from humility, because humility is the only way in which we keep the devil away. The devil told Saint Macarius, "You fast, but I do not eat. You keep vigil, but I do not sleep. The only thing by which you defeat me is your humility." And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away (Luke 8:13). These are the ones who receive God's revelation but lose their faith because of human weakness. Yes, we are created imperfect, but God expects us to be aware of our imperfections and weaknesses. With His help, we can overcome them. When we fall into temptation, God never says He will not accept our apology. He says, rather, that the only sin that will not be forgiven is the one that is not confessed. He is merciful, but He expects us to do our part. What does doing our part involve? When we sin, we should repent and confess it. When we do not know about our faith, we should learn. When we do not understand, we should seek advice from holy people, read holy books, and visit holy places. By following these examples, we can overcome our weaknesses and preserve our faith. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature (Luke 8:14). These are the people who are tempted by the material world. We are often tempted by worldly things, the desire to accumulate worldly riches. When this desire is not kept in check, it has no limits or boundaries. Our desire for material things leads to greed, and our greed leads to competition—we desire to have more than our neighbors. When we have less, the competition turns into jealousy—nothing less than a lack of love. Instead of loving others, we love what they have. When we devote all of our attention to material things, we no longer have time for God. We become distracted from Him and our faith, and this causes stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed by our vain desires and pursuits. As the wise Solomon states, "Vanity of vanity; all is vanity."

The world offers us many things and promises us everything, but in the end also takes away everything. When we accumulate material things, we frequently forget that this world, the material world, will pass away. When we leave this world, we really do not take anything with us, only our crossed hands—empty hands—and our good deeds. When we forget about the spiritual riches, and focus only on attaining material ones, we lose both. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:15). These are the people who receive their faith from God and keep it. There are always temptations and obstacles to prevent us from being faithful—the devil, our own weaknesses, and the outside world. All of these influences have the potential to harm or even destroy our faith, but we also have the potential to overcome them. To do so, let us keep in mind the following things. When the devil tempts us, we can overcome him if we remember humility. When our weaknesses tempt us, we can overcome them if we remember that God is with us, but that He also expects us to be with Him. And when worldly things tempt us, we can overcome them if we remember that the world is only temporary. In any time that our faith seems threatened by temptation, let us ask God for help and make an effort ourselves. As the saying goes, "Help yourself and God will help you also."

When thinking of the St. Lazarus Serbian Church Ravanica in Detroit, for anyone who has lived

in the colony, the names of “Ravanica” and “Mijatovich” are synonymous. In particular, the one

individual who has contributed the most to the continuity and fiber of the parish was our

beloved +Protinica Paulina.

+Protinica Paulina Mijatovich, age 90, died peacefully on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at her home.

She was instate at the St. Lazarus Serbian Church “Ravanica” on May 21, 2014 where a Pomen

Service took place at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday, May 22, 2014 Divine Liturgy was held at 9:00 a.m.

followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Six Serbian priests officiated at the funeral,

namely: V. Rev. Zivan Urosev; V. Rev. Nedeljko Lunich; V. Rev. Miosav Ghingilovic; V. Rev. Zivko

Kajevic; V. Rev. Srboljub Jockovic; and Rev. Dragan Micanovic. Interment was at the family

plot at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.

+Protinica Paulina was born on Serbian Orthodox Christmas Day, January 7, 1924 in Monessen,

PA. the fifth child of Pavle and Zora Pavlovich. The family moved to Akron, Ohio across the

street from her maternal grandparents, Djuka and Persa Rackov. To alleviate the work load of

the young mother, Baba Persa baby-sat Paulina and she began to spend more and more time

with the grandparents until she became a permanent fixture. When the parents decided to

return to Pennsylvania, they ran into difficulty with the grandparents who didn’t want to part

with their granddaughter. Excuses were made each time the parents came to pick Paulina up,

until Deda Djuka raised his voice and said, “If you take her now, don’t ever cross my threshold

again!” They continued to live together even after the grandfather had passed away in 1931.

Paulina became the spokesperson for her grandmother who spoke very little English and she

ran her errands, even delivering the nafora Baba made to the church on Sunday’s. In was in

1937 that Paulina and Persa joined the family in Ecorse, Michigan and she then became one of

the seven Pavlovich girls.

One day in 1943, the late Bishop Firmilian came to the family home with his young friend, a

seminarian graduate and journalist from Belgrade, to introduce him to a family “governed” by a

strict disciplinarian father, “just like in the middle of Serbia.” It was there Father Mico and

Paulina met and they were married shortly thereafter on May 16, 1943 in Ravanica. He was

ordained and became the permanent priest of this parish, which he served faithfully for thirty-

three years until his death at the age of 59 on July 11, 1976.

+Protinica Paulina Mijatovich

In Memorium

Memoriam

40 Day Parastos Sunday, June 22, 2014

+Protinica Paulina worked at AAA until the birth of Kosa in 1946. Paul (Bata) was born 16

months later in 1947. The demands of the growing parish made it impossible for her to work

out of the home and help subsidize her husband’s earnings, a situation common with all the

clergy at that time. There was no office help, no cell phones, only the telephone at home. The

parish home resembled a social service bureau with a revolving door. There was little time for

a private life or family pleasure.

The demand of the parish increased – the building of the church hall, the new Ravanica Church,

the unfortunate church split in 1963 and the still ongoing settlement of over 300 Displaced

Persons and even more refugees who Father Mico personally endorsed. All this strain had an

impact on his health and life. He suffered his third heart attack while vacationing and passed

away peacefully in his sleep on July 11, 1976. Daughter Kosa passed away in 1984 which added

to +Paulina’s grief and sorrow. Kosa’s two young children, Michael and Paula, were her pride

and joy and helped ease her pain. She offered help to son-in-law Ron, until the children

became teenagers. She never stopped being there for them.

Ravanica Church was her beloved home for her family. It was the beginning and the end of her

life. +Protinica Paulina devoted her entire adult life to her church serving alongside her

husband. Her dedication and eagerness to help those in need continued even after he passed.

The door to the parish home was always open and welcomed everyone with no appointment

necessary. Much work and assistance was provided around the kitchen and dining room tables

in the Algonac Street parish home. The manual typewriter she used could tell thousands of

stories from people she assisted with important documents. Perhaps she used it to type out

important papers for an immigration or court case or perhaps she was typing out the meeting

minutes for her beloved Serbian Sisters Ravanica. How many individuals received permanent

United States residence status because of the help Protinica provided? How many families

brought relatives to Detroit from the old country because of the assistance Protinica provided?

How many grateful people did she accompany to court as a translator? Although American-

born, +Protinica Paulina possessed an exceptional command of our Serbian language, both

written and spoken, which enabled her to excel in providing assistance to our newcomers.

“Generous” and “selfless” are terms we can use to describe her contributions, which extended

beyond our church to the Detroit Orthodox community, and beyond. She was a philanthropist

in the truest sense of the word, and she always helped with a smile on her face and Christ in her

heart.

+Father Mico and +Protinica Paulina received many bishops, clergy and dignitaries in their

home over the years where +Protinica excelled in serving as the perfect hostess.

The church had no paid secretarial help during those years, and in addition to assisting +Father

Mico with immigration paper work, +Paulina fulfilled all of the secretarial tasks for the parish.

She received all telephone calls, assisted in scheduling annual house blessings and slavas, typed

whatever correspondence was necessary for the parish, typed memorial donation lists for the

deceased, the copy for “The Voice of Ravanica,” and whatever needed to be prepared for

church membership mailings on the old wax mimeograph stencils. In addition she scheduled

appointments for +Father Mico, worked at the annual Church Serbian Day Picnics at

Transylvania and Hansen Parks, and was responsible for various tasks too numerous to

mention. +Paulina was always present at church or Ravanica Sisters functions where she could

be found organizing and working behind the bake sale table. When she found a moment for

pleasure at a Serbian zabava, like all of the Pavlovich girls, +Protinica could dance a “sitno”

(intricate) “Veliko Kolo.”

Ravanica Church was her beloved home where all parishioners were her family. She saw her

dear friends of her own generation come and go, and their children were her “kids.” She gave

thanks to God for introducing her to that first generation, her parents and grandparents – the

old timers, whose memories she cherished to the very end. +Protinica Paulina was the

secretary of the Serbian Sisters Ravanica for 50 years and one of the original Mother’s Club

members.

+Protinica Paulina has long been famous for her handwritten notes. Many of us have been

recipients of her thoughtful communication, an art form that is not employed often these days.

A beloved wife of a priest of God has great responsibilities; she is an asset to the ministry of her

husband. +Vlajko Lugonja, Founder of the Serbian Singing Federation commented many times

that there should be a school, like the seminary, to prepare popadije, as the popadija could

either make or break the priest in the colony. He often said, “If there was such a school,

+Protinica Paulina Mijatovich should be the dean, as she is an exemplary model for others to

emulate.” The late V. Rev. George Lazich, a close friend and seminary schoolmate of +Father

Mico, commented many times about Protinica Paulina – “Paulina je prava popadija!” (Paulina is

a true popadija!)

For all of her adult life, +Protinica Paulina has been Ravanica. She was our living encyclopedia,

able to recall any of our parishioners and their families, in addition to any and all events that

have been associated with the Detroit Serbian community and parish.

Protinica Paulina is the mother of Paul (Christine) and the late Kosara Balow (Ronald).

Grandmother of Michael Balow (Debbie), Paula Papke (Nate), and Lindsay and Jonathan

Mijatovich. Great grandmother of Tyler, Sophia, Elena, Maria, Blake and Benjamin. Also

grandmother to Christine’s children, Kelly Davis (Greg) and Wendy Parnell (Jeff) and great-

grandchildren, Christian, Allyson and Bella. Sister of Sophia Pavlovich and Milan Pavlovich

(Bojana) and the late Miodrag Pavlovich, Natalia Danilovich (Sam), Naida Cronovich (Charles),

Kathryn Lazovic (Alexander), Alexander Pavlovich (Mary), Eli Pavlovich (Barbara), Desanka

Schallhorn (Basil) and Mildred Vukovich (Pete). 17 nieces and nephews and 28 great-nieces and

nelphews also survive.

Our Detroit Serbian colony has truly lost a wonderfully marvelous human being and foundation

of this parish. Those who knew her well appreciate how much she did for the Serbian people of

this community. She will long be remembered and never be forgotten. “Well done, my good

and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Vjecnaja Pamjat, my dear friend.

Paul S. Bielich

VIDOVDAN

"The Serb people live in Kosovo not to

take from others what belongs to them, not to trample the freedom of others and impose their faith upon them, but in order to defend what is theirs. That is why our ancestors waged battle in Kosovo and laid down their lives. Our Lord, help us in Kosovo to always remember Your words: He who endures to the end will be saved."

His Holiness Pavle Patriarch of Serbian Orthodox Church Every nation has one date in its history which

it considers more important than any other. For the Serbs, the most important date in their history is June 15, by the old calendar - June 28, by the new calendar (Vidovdan). On that day, in 1389, 619 years ago, Serbian and Turkish armies clashed on the Kosovo Field. Both the Serbian ruler Prince Lazar and the Turkish Sultan Murat I died as a result of the battle. In addition, a great number of Serbian military leaders, as well as a great number of Serbian warriors lost their lives. Notwithstanding the fact that according to historical documents neither the Serbs nor the Turks won the battle, Serbia was so exhausted that it was unable to continue resisting the Turks - a few decades later the

heirs of Prince Lazar recognized Turkish suzerainty and five centuries of domination of the Serbs by the Turks ensued. That long and martyr-like enslavement changed the course of Serbian history and interrupted the cultural progress of the Serbs, which was clearly evident during the rule of the Nemanja dynasty. Europe Would Not be the Same Without the Battle of Kosovo. It is difficult to assess the importance of the Kosovo Battle for world history. Such is also the case with the battles at the Alamo or Gettysburg, which are so important for American history. However, it is undeniable that the Battle of Kosovo was exceptionally significant not only for Serbia, but also for Europe and European Christian civilization. It is a fact that on Vidovdan, June 15, 1389, the Serbs, without help from a single European nation, defended on Kosovo Field not only the frontiers of their own territory and lives of their people but, at the risk of losing their national independence, they also defended the interests and security of Christian Europe. In the conflict of two rival civilizations, the Muslim and the Christian, the Serbs checked the wave of the Turkish invasion, interposed themselves as a wall between the Turks and Europe, and enabled Europe to make preparations for its own defense. It is questionable whether the history of Europe would have been the same without the Battle of Kosovo and the sacrifice of the Serbian nation. However, no matter how great the historical value of Kosovo and Vidovdan may be, for the Serbs they have an additional unique dimension and preeminence. Persons of non-Serbian origin may consider Kosovo as only a far-away, strange, and even unimportant geographical territory, and Vidovdan, June 15, 1389, as a date of a battle of which they know little or nothing. As far as the Serbs are concerned, Kosovo is their Holy Land, the cradle of Serbdom, and their inalienable, historical, national, and cultural heritage. As far as they are concerned, Vidovdan, June 15, 1389, is not just the date of a battle, but their nation's identity, and the sacred will and testament which contains religious, ethical, and national principles for all Serbian generations from the Kosovo Battle until the present. In the national consciousness all of Serbian history is divided into two periods: prior to the Kosovo Battle and after the Kosovo Battle. And whereas the other battles in which the Serbs took part are mentioned only in historical textbooks, Vidovdan

alone is included in the [Church] calendar, which registers holidays and the names of saints exclusively. Vidovdan alone has become a national holiday which has been observed through the centuries, and it is observed on this occasion, 619 years after the Battle of Kosovo. Blood of Serbian Martyrs Forever Confirms Serbian Ownership of Kosovo As a geographical territory, Kosovo was Serbian even before the year 1389, before Vidovdan. That ownership was not marked by sticks, in the way the prospectors for gold marked their claims, nor by the deeds written in ink on paper, but by ancient and magnificent churches and monasteries and by Serbian cemeteries and tombstones. The capitals of Serbian kings and the thrones of Serbian archbishops and patriarchs were in Kosovo. Moreover, with the Battle of Kosovo, Kosovo and Vidovdan merged into a single concept and became a synonym with a specific meaning: the Serbdom. After June 15, 1389, one cannot speak of Kosovo apart from Vidovdan or about Vidovdan apart from Kosovo. They are inseparable because on Vidovdan 1389, on the Field of Kosovo, in the blood of Serbian warriors was written an indelible deed that forever confirms the Serbian ownership of Kosovo. Vidovdan commemorations, which have been celebrated annually for centuries, are reconfirmations of both the Serbian ownership of Kosovo and of the Vidovdan-Kosovo ethics, which are the core of the Serbian national image and the essence of Serbian identity. Vidovdan Pledge, Gazimesta It should be emphasized that the Vidovdan commemorations are not celebrations of a Serbian military victory over the Turks for the Serbs were not victorious in the Kosovo Battle. However, it is incorrect, and even malicious, to claim that at Vidovdan commemorations the Serbs “celebrate their defeat in the Kosovo Battle.” Such a statement has no logical or historical support. According to the historical documents, the Turks had not won a victory in the Battle of Kosovo. Neither a military victory nor a military defeat are not and could not have been either the reason or the meaning of Vidovdan commemorations. On those occasions the Serbs honor and commemorate the heroes of Kosovo who laid down their lives defending their faith, freedom, nation, and country. At the same time, Vidovdan commemorations are the annual reviews of the post-Kosovo Serbian generations. They are evaluated in terms of

Vidovdan-Kosovo ethics and on the basis of their reconfirmation of the Pledge of Kosovo. On Vidovdan, June 15, 1389, on the Kosovo Field, the Serbs chose once and for all their religious, cultural, ethical, and national identity. Their choice, in the form of an unwritten pledge, was handed down to all post-Kosovo Serbian generations and, through 619 years, Serbs have lived by that pledge. Fortunately, Kosovo ethics remain unchanged and those values will always endure for all future Serbian generations.

Father Mateja Matejic

ST. LAZARUS SERBIAN ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

“RAVANICA”

CHURCH SLAVA VIDOVDAN SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2014

DIVINE LITURGY, PROCESSION, CUTTING OF KOLAC

SLAVA BANQUET, 1:00 P.M.

HONORED SLAVA KUMOVI-

DRAGO AND VIOLET TIMARAC

Tickets $25 Adults; $10 Teenagers; Children 12-under Free A limited number of tickets will be available at the door providing event

does not sell out

Our Church Slava is the time when we pause to thank God for all His blessings

to our parish and church community, and rededicate ourselves to its mission

and future.Let us join that day in honoring our St. Lazarus Church “Ravanica”,

and all the pioneers, founders and benefactors who have gone before us.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

SVI STE NAM DOBRO DOSLI!

ABOUT VIDOVDAN We are offspring of the Kosovo champions, who sacrificed themselves for the Holy Cross and Golden Freedom; we are the green shoots and luscious branches of the national tree, which was badly cut up at

Kosovo to very nearly its roots. But that tree did not die, because, the blood of the Cross-bearing Martyrs nourished it to life. The small stump that remained did not dry up because, the Heavenly Kingdom, which was chosen by the champions of the Cross at Kosovo, gave it strength to grow new green branches. We are the body of the body, and bone of the bone, and spirit of the spirit of the people, who after Kosovo

lived on in their homes without freedom, in their country under foreign rule -how identical it is with the present state of freedom less servitude of the Serbians at Kosovo and Metohia' -without the earthly

kingdom and earthly prosperity.. Those peasant ancestors of ours, who no longer dressed in gold-braided dolmans, but in hemp and rough wool, looked at Kosovo with sighs, not as if looking down at a valley,

but up to a mountain. From that mountain the people came to expect springs of clean water to wash their wounds and tears, to satisfy the thirst in their hearts and in their spirit, to provide them with heavenly

inspiration to bear it and to hold on.

And truly, the people bore it and held on, thanks be to Kosovo and the Kosovo Pledge in the Church. The church revealed the meaning of KOSOVO and KOSOVO revealed the meaning of everything that happened before and after the fall of the Serbian earthly kingdom. With the help of these two interpreters, the people came to understand deeply the essence of freedom. They came to understand that freedom is a gift of God, that it is a holy state and that it is inseparable from the Holy Cross. Whosoever transgresses against the Holy Cross, he sins against freedom; and vice versa, whosoever transgresses against freedom, he sins against the Holy Cross. Freedom is holy and that is why we came to call it: Holy Freedom. Like clean linen, freedom is given to people; when the people soil it, they have to clean it with blood and tears. Because, freedom is either clean, or it is not at all. Or Golden Freedom is inseparable from the Holy Cross, or it is not at all. In deepest repentance, the people have for centuries washed the soiled freedom with tears of repentance and with the martyr's blood. And when they washed it clean, it was given to them again. We are the offspring of those martyrs and repentors, who gave life to the insurgents (under Karadjordje)...If anyone in the world can be proud of great and honorable characters, holy men and women, heroic champions and the multitude of martyrs for the Cross and Freedom, then, surely, we can ...

The Prince's (Lazar's) choice of the Heavenly Kingdom was made in the name of all of his people and it was the strongest expression of the all-embracing meaning of our history and its regulating idea. Because, Kosovo showed that our national history unfolded on the level of the highest plan, on the tragic and exhaulted border of the heavenly and the earthly (i.e. the historical and eschatological), of God's and man's. If, as a people in the Nemanjic era, we, with Christ in freedom had power, prosperity and foundations, in the after-Kosovo era, again with Christ, in slavery we did not sink, did not fall, did not perish, instead, we showed a surprising depth of soul through manifold national art and through the strength of that same soul we achieved freedom through victorious national insurgencies. Kosovo is our eternal witness that we as a people have never struggled for superficial and insignificant goals and that we can never be sincerely enthused with petty and temporary values."

BISHOP NIKOLAI OF ZHICHA, from the Vidovdan Speech, 1939

Kosovo Curse

"Whoever is a Serb and of Serb birth, And of Serb blood and heritage, And comes not to the Battle of Kosovo, May he never have the progeny his heart desires, Neither son nor daughter! May nothing grow that his hand sows, Neither dark wine nor white wheat! And let him be cursed from all ages to all ages!" Tsar Lazar curses those who are not taking up arms against the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Kosovo.

Inscription of the curse on

the Gazimestan Monument

2014 Marks the 625th Anniversary of the

Battle of Kosovo

The Battle of Kosovo, also known as the Battle of Kosovo Field or the Battle of Blackbird's Field, took place on St. Vitus' Day, June 28, 1389, between the army led by Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, and the invading army of the Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Sultan Murad I. The army under Prince Lazar consisted of his own troops, a contingent led by Serbian nobleman Vuk Branković, and a contingent sent from Bosnia by King Tvrtko I, commanded by Vlatko Vuković. Prince Lazar was the ruler of Moravian Serbia, and the most powerful among the Serbian regional lords of the time, while Vuk Branković ruled a part of Kosovo and other areas, recognizing Lazar as his overlord. The Battle of Kosovo took place in the Kosovo Polje, about 5 kilometers northwest of modern-day Pristina.

Reliable historical accounts of the battle are scarce; however, a critical comparison with historically contemporaneous battles enables reliable reconstruction. The bulk of both armies was wiped out in the battle; both Lazar and Murad lost their lives in it. Although Ottomans managed to annihilate the Serbian army, they also suffered high casualties which delayed their progress. Serbs were left with too few men to effectively defend their lands, while the Turks had many more troops in the east. Consequently, one after the other, the Serbian principalities that were not already Ottoman vassals became so in the following years.

The Battle of Kosovo is particularly important to Serbian history, tradition, and national identity. The Battle of Kosovo came to be seen as a symbol of Serbian patriotism and desire for independence in the 19th-century rise of nationalism under Ottoman rule, including the Kosovo curse, and its significance for Serbian nationalism returned to prominence during the breakup of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo War when Slobodan Milošević invoked it during an important speech.

Dragan Koprivica is a

member of the Serbian

Men’s Choir “Kosovo”

-----_._.

" ..... '.'.:-:::.".:-:.".".". -

Kosovska Devojka (Kosovo Maiden)

Uroš Predić's Kosovo Maiden.

The Kosovo Maiden or Maiden of the Blackbird Field is the central figure of a poem with the same name, part of the Kosovo cycle in the Serbian epic poetry. In it, a young beauty searches the battlefield for her betrothed husband and helps wounded Serbian warriors with water, wine and bread after the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 between Serbia and Ottoman Empire. She finally finds wounded and dying warrior Pavle Orlović who tells her that her fiancée Milan Toplica and his blood-brothers Miloš Obilić and Ivan Kosančić are dead. Before the battle they had given her a cloak, golden ring and veil for the wedding as a promise of safe return, but they were slain and Pavle pointed to the direction of the bodies. The poem finishes with;

"Unhappy, if I were to grasp a green pine, Even the green pine would wither"

The poem became greatly popular as a symbol of womanly compassion and charity. Noted artist Uroš Predić took up the theme in 1919 with an oil painting of the same title. In 1907, the sculptor Ivan Meštrović created a marble relief of the subject as a part of his Kosovo-sculpture cycle.

Poem

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11 CBe Mer,llaH ,ll0 Mer,llaHa, npe 11 nOCJIe BI1,llOB,llaHa. CBa CI1 KPBlbY 3aJIl1BeHa CBa CY3aMa OMI1BeHa.

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Ho He 00 j ce, MI1JIa MaTI1. Bor he TeOI1 ,llOOpO ,llaTl1. na hellI OI1TI1 HajcpehHl1ja 11 O,ll CBl1jy HajCJIaBHl1ja.

EnHc~on HHKOJIa.j

SONG TO HOLY SERBIA

o Serbia, mother dear,

May you always joyful be,

Your children love you

And to God they pray for you.

Country of our forefathers,

Braves and saints,

For Holy Cross noble martyrs,

And for freedom fighters.

Grave to grave, holy ground,

There peacefully rest Serbian slaves,

And all altar next to altar, legacies,

Monasteries built by our kings.

On Kosovo Gracanica,

In the mountain Studenica,

By Morava Ravanica

In Krusevac Lazarica.

And all battlefield to battlefield

Before and after Vidovdan,

All sprinkled with blood

And by tears washed.

There Kosovo sadly stands,

Five centuries of slavery counts,

A memorial of glory and bravery

And of disunity and treachery.

Do not fear, mother dear,

God will grant you joy again,

And amongst nations

The greatest glory.

Bishop Nikolai

RAVANICA RESPONDS TO FLOOD CATASTROPHERAVANICA RESPONDS TO FLOOD CATASTROPHERAVANICA RESPONDS TO FLOOD CATASTROPHERAVANICA RESPONDS TO FLOOD CATASTROPHE

We sincerely extend appreciation and gratitude to all who assisted in support of the Church’s

Flood Relief efforts with both monetary and contributions of goods.

Responding to the Church’s call for emergency assistance to flood-ravaged areas in Serbia,

Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Hercegovina, to date, our St. Lazarus “Ravanica” Cathedral

community has raised more than $25,000 while additional donations continue to arrive daily.

Fund-raising efforts to alleviate the suffering of victims from the catastrophic floods remain

ongoing and the Church calls upon all people of goodwill to give generously. Monetary

contributions are accepted at the Church Office daily, with checks payable to: St. Lazarus

Serbian Orthodox Church and “flood relief” written on the memo line. For further

information, please contact our church office at: (313) 893-6025.

Our clergy and lay leaders are heartened by the outpouring of love and generosity of our

parishioners who are once again called upon to assist their brothers and sisters in need as they

face the worst natural catastrophe Serbia and Republika Srpska have ever had to cope with.

We thank everyone who has contributed or plans to contribute, and we especially call upon our

parishioners to intensify their prayers for those who have perished, those who lost loved ones,

and those who have lost their homes.

PLEASE HELP!

Relief for Floods – Pomoc Za Poplave u Srbiju

Bosnia and Serbia are facing their worst flooding in more than 100 years. According to news reports, uncharacteristic rainfalls have left 1/3 of Bosnia underwater and many villages and towns are completely submerged in both countries. Thousands have had to flee their homes and dozens have died. Please pray with us as these nations recover from the devastation.

Serbia and Bosnia Relief Line

Our Serbian Orthodox Churches in the Detroit Metro area together are collecting funds and goods needed for our brothers and sisters to recover from this devastation.

There were two radiothons on May 25th and June 1st.

During the first radiothon, guest speakers were: General Consul of Serbia in Chicago; Mr. Dejan Radulovic, Chief of the Crisis Headquarters of City of Obrenovac; V. Rev. Zivan Urosev, St. Lazarus Ravanica, Detroit; V. Rev. Zivko Kajevic, St. Petka, Troy; Rev. Dragan Micanovic, St. Stevan Decanski, Warren; Michael Balow, President of Ravanica; Goran Petkovic, President of St. Stevan Decanski; Susie Ristic, Ravanica; Zlatko Erdeljan, Serbian Unity Congress; Filip Filipi, President Organization 28 June. There were also recorded messages from Predrag Gojkovic-Cune; Merima Njegomir; Miroslav Ilic; Stefan Milenkovic (violinist), and Paulo Cuelo (writer).

Organizers and hosts of the radiothon included: Simo Birac (owner of the radio station); Dorothy Popovich; Ana Djorovic, Marija Nikolic Cvetkovska; Danijela Bijelic; Stevan Simijanovic; Vesna; and Snezana Milutinovic.

In addition to the radiothons donations of humanitarian items were received at all three of the Metropolitan Detroit Serbian Churches.

We sincerely extend appreciation and gratitude to all radiothon organizers and all who assisted with pledges and contributions to the Relief for Flood efforts.

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED!

SUNDAY

JULY 27, 2014

1:00 P.M. — ???

RAVANICA CHURCH PICNIC

RAVANICA LADIES-

PLEASE BAKE FOR OUR

CHURCH PICNIC! YOUR

HELP IS GREATLY

APPRECIATED!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

JOIN US FOR A FUN FILLED DAY

AT OUR

ST. LAZARUS RAVANICA

PICNIC!

ON THE CHURCH GROUNDS

JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL

PICNIC! GREAT SERBIAN,

FOOD, PASTRIES, MUSIC,

GAMES FOR KIDS.

EVERYONE WELCOME!

SVI STE NAM DOBRO DOSLI!...

Hummingbird Cake

If you are looking for the perfect cake recipe, here it is!! Besides being unbelieveabley delicious, it’s super easy to make – literally just dump and stir the ingredients for the cake. Only the frosting requires a mixer. This cake is similar to a carrot cake, especially when filled and frosted with the ever popular cream cheese icing.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour • 2 cups white sugar • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 3 eggs- lightly beaten • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 1 1/2 cups oil • 1 (8 ounce can) crushed pineapple -do not drain • 2 cups bananas, mashed or about 3 – 4 large bananas • 1 cups pecans or almonds/ walnuts chopped

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon.

1. Mix together with whisk. Add eggs, vanilla extract, oil, pineapple, bananas and pecans(or nuts of choice) and mix until all ingredients are moistened

2. Spray 3 (9 inch) round cake pans or one 9 x 13 inch pan. Cook in preheated 350 degree oven 30 to 35 minutes until cake is done in center. Then Frost with cream cheese frosting or any favorite frosting you may have!

Pecan Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature • 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature • 1 pound box (about 3 2/3 cups) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Cook’sCook’sCook’sCook’s

CornerCornerCornerCorner

1. In this parable, Jesus represents the sower, the seeds represent His messages, and the ground represents our hearts and how

we react to His messages.

4.

Parables are God's way of giving us messages. These messages are hidden so

that only true believers can understand them. The parable of the sower is about sowing seeds

and how their growth depends on where they land. They can land in fou r different places and

only thrive in one of these. Through this parab le, Jesus is trying to show us that there are four

human reactions to God's word, but only one path to salvation. He chose the apostles to

continue to s pread His messages, or sow His seeds, and they appointed future sowers of

seeds who we call Bishops.

2. The seeds that land on the path are eaten by the birds. This represents people who pay no attention to God and

reject His word.

The seeds that land on rocky ground grow at first, but soon die because they cannot take root. This represents people who lis

ten to God but are easily swayed away from Him.

The seeds that land on 6. good ground can take root We can see that we will be and thrive. This represents rewarded if we follow God's people who embrace God's messages. We will not find

messages and remain salvation automatically, but faithful and serve Him in only if we show God that we

good and bad times. They truly want it by our actions. shall find true salvation.

The Parable of the ower

The seeds that land among the weeds are easily overtaken by them when they try to grow and

soon die. This represents people who hear and are touched by

God's messages, but aren't sure. They are more impressed by

wealth and success rather than God.

"A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed. some fell by the way SIOf:t and it as trodden down,

and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered

away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thoms; and the thoms sprang up with it,

and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up. and bare fruit an hundredfold ... " Luke 8:5-8 Why are messages given through Parables?

·Who hath ears to hear, Jet him hear. " Matthew 13:9

O~N-ed03

~ ~ Orthodoxa b TM

Name:______________ Date:__________

Put the drawings in the correct order,

then color the icon of Jesus - the Sower .

/I

PRAYER

.. " ... . . • i

" . . . .... . .

Lord, to You I have fled. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.

For You are the source of life, And in Your light we shall see light.

- Doxology

026-EN-ed03

c&rn: Ja rrw-J.ty 1, 191../

(Dir.!: '.lI47 1'. 10/../

gdO

Protonica Paulina joined the sisters in 1949, and was the sister's secretary for over 50 years. She was also one of the original mother 's club members. All of the sisters notes and minutes were written on her manual typewriter, which she still used today, and signed her name "Paulina" in her own handwriting.

She always found time to send personal notes on a happy or sad occasion and always type written. Even during her most difficult period due to the pain from her neuropathy, and only able to type with one finger, she wanted to let you know how much she cared for you. I was always deeply touched and honored to receive personal notes from her.

Protonica Paulina was a constant prescence at church and at our Ravanica sisters functions. For years she donated baked goods, organized bake sales, craft sales, and peeled potatoes in the kitchen. She worked the annual church Serbian day picnics, and was responsible for various tasks too numerous to mention, and when she found a moment of time, she would dance a Kolo or two at a Zabava. She said the Pavlovich girls were known for being exceUent Kolo dancers.

In the prime of her life, she was the catalyst that inspired our sisters to work tirelessly on behalf of our church to raise large sums of money to help purchase the property for thischurch, as well as, all the arch facet stained glass windows in our church, on the north , south and west front walls. The mosaic of the icon of the Mother of God , the twelve apostles on the ceiling wall above the holy altar. The tabernacle on the alter table, two carved wooden Icon stands in the church and so many other items too numerous to mention that still stand in our church today. [n addition to Our church the sisters purchased stage curtains for our hall , 500 place settings of silverware/ dishes , a stove in the basement of the old church and that list goes on. Leaving a legacy for us and for our children to enjoy and treasure today.

She was our teacher, mentor, cheerleader, and historian. She was our beacon of light!

She kept up with and accepted change. When the mother's club merged with the sisters, she was delighted to see so many young and energetic faces that she loved. She told me how proud she was of the sisters , for their zeal, togetherness and love for their church and children.

Her lifetime of dedication and self-sacrifice serves as a monument to the woman she was. Her humility, integrity and hard work continue to inspire those who knew her.

Protonica sent me a quotation she found in the St. Sava newslener from a sister's publication.

To me, this quote defines who she was:

"'Be 50 HI'ona that notfiina can distur6 your peace of mind. Ta(~ hea(th, haypiness, andprosperity to every person you meet. 'Ma~e a((your

friend.

Paulina Mi jatovich ,

". f

; w,. ., I• .. .. -T: ,~ , " 0' f ' ,\,' ,r .. ., '"'. ... .. f'

. " ' ' ~'\. . q' '~, .

Thank you to the Sisters for your hard work and the wonderful food donations for our End of Year BBO. A shout out to all the dads for helping set uP. cook and clean up - THANK YOU! A special thanks to our cochairpersons, Danielle Daher and Nina Radisavljevic, everything turned out beautifully and the children had a great time. Everyone really came together and all the compliments we received are due to the wonderful ladies of our organization.

Hope everyone enjoys their summer vacation and we will see each other in the fall!

Saturday, June 7th at 9am, we will be hosting another "Sack Lunch" for the homeless with 000. If you would like to help, please contact Natasha Nestorovski at natasha713@hotmail.com

"VIOOVDAN"- Sunday, June 29 The Sisters will be sponsoring a table with their own unique centerpieces.

The Sisters will be sponsoring our children who wish to go to Church Camp this summer.

Sunday, July 2rhour annual Church Picnic will be held on the Church grounds. Please look for volunteer sign up sheet, as we get closer to the date.

SAVE THE DATES:

1. September 141 2014

"BACK TO SCHOOL BBQ"

2. October 51 2014

SISTERS 80TH

ANNIVERSARY

3. October 14, 2014

SISTERS SLAVA

4. October 29, 2014

"TALIJA"

5. November 11 2014

10TH ANNUAL GRAPE HARVEST BALL

mailto:natasha713@hotmail.com

Correspondence

"

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WishinB a{{ the lJ"athers, §ran4fathers and Xum a very

'}{ayyy lJ"ather's 'Day!

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'11ie Sisters afso sait£8°oa-6ye to our dear 6efovetfSUter Vicki Vukov. vicki was our Sisters Presidentfrom 1950-1954. sfU was very acttve andfoveaher lUlvanfca Sisters. sfU wartruCy 6e missed. ~ !Etemaf.

A Special “Thank You” to all the A Special “Thank You” to all the A Special “Thank You” to all the A Special “Thank You” to all the donors for their generous donors for their generous donors for their generous donors for their generous donations to help Sara have her donations to help Sara have her donations to help Sara have her donations to help Sara have her second eye surgery. Your second eye surgery. Your second eye surgery. Your second eye surgery. Your kindness in Christian love will kindness in Christian love will kindness in Christian love will kindness in Christian love will always be appreciated by the always be appreciated by the always be appreciated by the always be appreciated by the Živkovic family.ivkovic family.ivkovic family.ivkovic family.

Adamov, Amelia

Anderson, Kathy and Art

Balow, Michael and Debbie

Basta, Svetlana

Batanjski Dijana/Dukic, Nevena

Bednarz, Mila

Bell, Beth and Bill

Birach Broadcasting

Bogoevich, Alex and Verica

Brach, Monika

Bulajic, Ksantipa

Citywide Collision

Comlete Care Chiropractic Clinic

Daher, Daniela and Eli

Damjanovic, Desanka and Budimir

Dimovski, Lolita

Direct Optical of Canton

Djuric, Zoran and Julie

Dobrasevic, Zdravko

Dr. Kittides,K.Z.

Dr. Schall, William and Mileva

Downie, Roy and Mary

Dwyer, Mirjana

Gasic, Snezana and Vito

Goich, Nicholas

Golata, Mary and Jeff

Golusin, Olivera and Milan

Grabovac, Slobodan and Natasha

Grba, Eli and Regina

Haezebrouck, Adam and Natalie

Hamameh, Nidal and Kathy

Harris, Allison/Ko, Alvin

Hoffman, Lexie and Dave

Isakovich, Dara and Pero

Isakovich, George and Sally

J&J Spring Enterprises, LLC

Jankovic, Mrdjan

Jurisic, Dusica

Kaurin, Mirko and Ljiljana

Kavaya, Bruce

Koroman, Zeljka

Kovac, Milica and Zdravko

KSS-St. Nikola Wisconsin

Lukich, Danny

Lukich, Grozdana

Margulis, Gordana

Marienthal, Kelly

Martens, Deanna

Mazian, Helen

Medich, Donna

Merkouris, Lidija

Mihajlovic, Rasko and Dragana

Mijac, Marija and Robert

Mikich, Milan and Biljana

Milutanovic, Snezana

Misovski, Ljupco and Vineta

Morley, Anne

Mrdaj, Dusanka and Zdravko

Mrdalj-Mirkovic, Nevena and Stevan

Musicki, Jelena and Misho

Nesovski, Denyeal and Steve

Nestorovski, Natasha

New Gracanica Serbian Monastary

Nezich, Mark and Linda

Nickson, George and Marie

Novi Book Club

Oklejas, Robert and Katherine

Papich, Lillian

Papich, Paul and Angela

Patrash, G.M.

Payok, Ron and Michalene

Petrovic, Bozidar and Desanka

Petrovic, Goca

Petrovic, Jelka and Nikola

Petrovic, Margita

Popadic, Aleksandar

Popadic, Nela

Popovic, Slavko and Lepa

Radakovich, Roy and Sophie

Rajkovic, Mike and Donna

Ravanica Folk Group

Ristic, Susie and Sasha

Ristic, Zvezda

Robinson, Rebekah

Saint Isaac Jogues Parish

Saisic, Miki and Sonja

Serbian Orthodox Church/Bishop Fund

Serbian Singing Society

Serbian Sisters of E.Chicago, IN

Serbian Sisters of Holy Ascesion/Ecorse MI

Serbian Sisters of St. Louis

Serbian Sisters Ravanica

Shelby Pub and Grill

Shinkel, Peggy

Shuput, Evelyn

Silver Pine Medical Group, PLC

Simasko, Katarina

Simmons, Donna and Steve

Simovski, Dusica

Skoric, Ljiljana and Milorad

Somma, Georgia and Rande

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox

Church/Merrillville IN

St. George Serbian Church/Monroe

St. Lazarus Ravanica

Stawick, Paula

Stevanovic, Zlatko and Amelia

Stevanovich, Sandra and Saso

Stojanovic, Maryana and Slavko

Subotic, Anne and Nikola

Suvak, Lou and Angel

Tasich, Jelena and Jordan

Tasich, Michelle and Jason

Timarac, Drago and Violet

Timarac, Sally and Michael

Todorov, Martin and Karen

Todorov, Michael and Lynda

Tomic, Aleksandar and Kellie

Urosev, Fr. Zivan and Brigita

Vucenovic, Goranka

Vucenovic, Sonny

Vujovich, Constance

Vukasovich, John and Milica

Vukmirovich, Sylvia

Vulinovic, Patty and Bosko

Zatezalo, Sheryl

Zdravkovic, Violeta and Srecko

On behalf of Ravanica Sara’s Sight we

would like to thank the following donors

once again for their generous donations for

Sara Zivkovic’s Surgery, April 7, 2014. We

have collected a total of $25,868. Hospital

Bills, doctor fees and medications totaled

$20,994.15. The remaining $4,873.85 will

stay in the account for a possible additional

surgery and continued eye drop

medications. Dr. Trese is pleased with the

results of the surgery so far, as Sara is able

to see light and shadows in both eyes. Updated as of 5/19/2014

Total Ravanica Sara

Sight

$20,868

Donated Directly to William Beaumont Hospital:

Eastern American Diocese/Bishop Mitrophan $5,000

Applied to

hospital fee

Grand Total

Donations

$25,868

Hospital Fee

($8,907.60)

Doctors Fee Current and Past Balance

($11,735.00)

Medications 21-Apr-14

($157.47)

Medications 29-Apr-14

($194.08)

Balance In Account

$4,873.85

Take God On Vacation With You!

The summer months are upon us and we must consider that God does not go on vacation but is always present and loves us! Humbly all of us should make every effort to attend our local holy Orthodox Church even during the summer months. When we attend Church, we are able to witness Christ our Lord, and to be aware of the Mother of God, who prays for us.

All of us know that the Church is a place for healing, as we encounter the Physician of our souls Christ our true God, who is reaching out to help us, save us, and keep us by His grace, as this in itself is a great blessing for us all! How compassionate indeed is Christ our loving God!

Within the Church we find the love and compassion of Christ our Lord!

Within the Church we find hope!

Within the Church we who are all sinners, find forgiveness!

Within the Church we find true prayer, and the answer to all prayers!

Within the Church we find truth, and are no longer misguided!

Within the Church we are all spiritually filled, and go hungry no more.

Within the Church we truly find spiritual joy, rather than sadness in our lives!

Within the Church we find salvation, and now know the correct path to take during our lives!

Within the Church we partake of the Holy Mysteries that cleanse us and nourish us all!

Within the Church we behold the Mother of God, His holy prophets, His saints, holy martyrs, and the holy Fathers, who indeed all nourish us with spiritual guidance towards the Kingdom of God!

Let us spiritually make every effort to attend Divine Liturgy and the many services offered to us even during the summer months in realizing God never goes on vacation.

God will accompany you during your vacation! God will also be present when you return! Remember God is with you and loves you! Have a spiritually rewarding summer!

Humbly in Christ our Lord, +Very Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes

Serbian Chant: Traditional Liturgical Singing in the Serbian Orthodox Church

+His Grace Sava Vukovic

Serbian chant, traditional liturgical singing in the Serbian Orthodox church, is an important and specific form of cultural heritage. It was created on the foundations of Byzantine Christian tradition, and has been developed over the centuries through the liturgical practice in Church Slavonic language in various historical circumstances in which the Serbian Orthodox church worked since the times of its autocephaly (A.D. 1219)

In the more recent history (18th-19th century) the development of the church chant has mostly been tied to the region of the Metropolitanate of Karlovci, where the central role was played by the monasteries in Fruška Gora and later by the Serbian schools founded first in the Habsburg Lands and later in the Principality then Kingdom of Serbia where church chant was a part of the regular curriculum. Most of the Serbian composers in the 19th and the first decades of the 20th centuries learnt the music basics through the church chant.

After the First World War, in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, church chant was eliminated from the state schools, and remained only on the curriculum of the Orthodox seminaries. In the atheist Yugoslavia, created after the Second World War, there was no place for the church chant. Thus by the end of the 20th century church chant was only a segment of the liturgical practice, maintained only through the oral tradition, and only in the seminaries and monasteries. In these circles music literacy was rare, manuscripts and printed chant collections were only known to a few individuals, while the production of recorded music almost did not exist, and even today has not caught up with the demand. With little awareness of what really is being given up, this part of the music heritage is easily neglected and belittled, especially during the last two decades. For some unknown reason Greek church chant known as the ‘Byzantine

chant’ and its Bulgarian variant have been upheld as preferable to the Serbian chant tradition, and even declared to be the ‘Old Serbian’ chant (in a published Octoechos).

After publishing several editions of scores of Serbian church chant, the idea is to make accessible to the next generation audio recordings of the church chant sung by the best singers of the traditional chant. These recordings of chant, sung by the bishop of Šumadija Sava Vuković (1930-2001) were made during the 1980s and kindly made available by Dr Nenad Ristović, for whom they were originally made. This rich collection was supplemented through the kindness of the abbess of Grnčarica monastery, mother Domnika, by all three Stases (Lamentations) on Holy Saturday, the recordings of which were made for the nuns of Grnčarica in the early 1990s.

It needs to be stressed that these are amateur recordings, made through the exceptional personal effort of the singer – bishop Sava, and later technically cleaned (digital mastering) with lots of patience and skill by Zoran Jerković.

We hope that this edition, as the first one in the series, will be not only an example of how an important part of the Serbian music heritage can be preserved, but also help to all those who want to improve their knowledge of the church chant, and an inspiration to those who have recordings of old chanters to make them accessible to the general public.

Danica Petrovic Translated by Marija Petrovic

Why Are Vigil Lamps Lit before Icons?

by St. Nikolai Velimirovic

FirstFirstFirstFirst - because our faith is light. Christ said "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). The light

of the vigil lamp reminds us of that light by which Christ illumines our souls.

SecondSecondSecondSecond - in order to remind us of the radiant character of the saint before whose icon we light

the vigil lamp, for saints are called "sons of light" (John 12:26, Luke 16:8).

ThirdThirdThirdThird - in order to serve as a reproach to us for our dark deeds, for our evil thoughts and

desires, and in order to call us to the path of evangelical light; and so that we would more

zealously try to fulfill the commandments of the Savior: "Let your light shine before men, that

they may see your good works" (Matthew 5:16).

FourthFourthFourthFourth - so that the vigil lamp would be our small sacrifice to God, Who gave Himself

completely as a sacrifice for us, and as a small sign of our great gratitude and radiant love for

Him from Whom we ask in prayer for life, and health, and salvation, and everything that only

boundless heavenly love can bestow.

Fifth Fifth Fifth Fifth - so that terror would strike the evil powers that sometimes assail us even at the time of

prayer and lead away our thoughts from the Creator. The evil powers love the darkness and

tremble at every light, especially at that which belongs to God and those who please Him.

SixthSixthSixthSixth - so that this light would rouse us to selflessness. Just as the oil and wick burn in the vigil

lamp, submissive to our will, so let our souls also burn with the flame of love in all our

sufferings, always being submissive to God's will.

Seventh Seventh Seventh Seventh - in order to teach us that just as a vigil lamp cannot be lit without our hand, so too,

our heart, our inward vigil lamp, cannot be lit without the holy fire of God's grace, even if it

were to be filled with all the virtues. All these virtues of ours, after all, [are only] like

combustible material, but the fire which ignites them

proceeds from God.

EighthEighthEighthEighth - in order to remind us that before anything else the Creator of the world created light,

and after that everything else in order: "And God said, let there be light; and there was light"

(Genesis 1:3). And it must be so also at the beginning of our spiritual life, so that before

anything else, the light of Christ's truth would shine within us. From this light of Christ's truth

subsequently every good deed is created, springs up in us and grows in us.

HAVE YOU HEARD?

Parishioners in the News

• Emme Kathryn Ream would like to welcome her new sister Cali Nicole Ream into the world. She was

born on April 19 @ 1:02 P.M. She was 19 in. and weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. Her parents are Sara Goich and

Eric Ream. Proud Deda and Baba are Richard and Kathy Goich. Proud Great Deda is Nick Goich.

Proud Aunt Nicole and Uncle Eric Gerbens, and happy cousin Mike Grace Germans. God bless her!

• Congratulations to Milan Kulics for getting admitted to the double M.A. Program at Boston University. One year down…MPH…one year to go for M.A. in Medical Science. Ponost!

• We are proud to extend congratulations to several of our parish graduates: Teddy Vulinovic, son of Bosko and Patty Vulinovic graduated from Stevenson High School in Sterling Heights. He plans to

continue his education at Oakland University with a major in Business and Finance. Julia Milenkovic,

daughter of Greg and Sladja Milenkovic graduated from Henry Ford High School in Sterling Heights.

She plans to attend Macomb Community College in the fall.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Markovic upon her graduation from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School.

Elizabeth plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall majoringin business administration.

Mom, Radmila and Dad, Dragan with sister Nicole are proud of Elizabeth. We also congratulate

other high school graduates, namely: Marko Beslach, Strahinja Ljubevic and Marko Saisic! Goran

Crnomarkovic, son of Zoran and Branka Crnomarkovic received his Bachelor’s Degree in Health

Services from Oakland University. He plans to continue his studies to become a Physician’s Assistant.

Congrats are also due to our other college graduates: Sara Nezich and Svetlana Stefanovski. We

wish all of our graduates every continued success!

• On Saturday, May 10th several individuals from the Serbian Sisters Ravanica came to help box up books in the Church Library in preparation for painting and carpeting of the library. We would like to

thank the following individuals who gave of their time: Donna Rajkovic, Patti Vulinovic, Snezena

Milutinovic, Marie Nickson, Mila Bednarz, Marija Mijac, Silvana Martinov, and Paul Bielich. On

Monday, May 12th

Donna Bielich, Stevan and Daniel Rajkovic, Snezana and Vojkan Zivkovic helped

to move the boxes out of the library. We wish to most sincerely thank ALL of those who helped to

prepare our church library for its exciting renovation!

Dear Readers: If you have any news that requires “our special attention” or if we have missed

your news please send us an email so that it can be included in our next issue. We would love to hear from you.

Please email us at: dbielich@walshcollege.edu pbielich@umd.umich.edu

68 YEARS AGO

+Draza Mihailovich

(April 27, 1893-July 17, 1946)

Dragoljub "Draža" Mihailović ; also known as "Čiča Draža", April 7, 1893 – July 17, 1946) was a Yugoslav Serbian general. A staunch Serbian patriot, he retreated to the mountains near Belgrade when the Germans overran Yugoslavia in April 1941 and there he organized bands of guerrillas known as the Chetnik movement The Chetnik organization, officially named the Yugoslav Army in the Fatherland (JVUO, ЈВУО), was founded as a royalist/nationalist Serbian resistance movement and was the first Yugoslav military opposition against invaders but by late 1941 they had fallen out with the communist resistance forces, the Partisans From early 1942 Chetnik factions began collaborating with Italian forces and, after the collapse of Italy as an Axis power, with German occupation forces.

After the war, Mihailović was tried and convicted of high treason and war crimes by the Yugoslav authorities, and executed by a firing squad .

General Draza Mihailovich Honored

During World War II, many American pilots were downed by German fighters. Many of these pilots were rescued from certain doom by General Draza Mihailovich. His efforts in the German-occupied Yugoslavia saved many American lives by smuggling them back to friendly territory.

Due to the efforts of Major Richard L. Felman and his buddies, President Harry S. Truman, on the recommendation of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, posthumously awarded Mihailovich the "Legion of Merit", for the rescue of American Airmens by Chetniks.

Legion of Merit medal for General Mihailovich's heroics in WWII

4th of July Independence Day 4th of July Independence Day 4th of July Independence Day 4th of July Independence Day -------- The History of the Holiday The History of the Holiday The History of the Holiday The History of the Holiday

Independence Day is the national holiday of the United States of America commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. Leading up to the signing, there had been growing unrest in the colonies surrounding the taxes that colonists were required to pay to England. The major objection was "Taxation without Representation" -- the colonists had no say in the decisions of English Parliament.

Rather than negotiating, King George sent extra troops to the colonies to help control any rebellion that might be arising. The following timeline will give you a crash course in the history that lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and America's break from British rule.

1774 - The 13 colonies send delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. While unrest was brewing, the colonies were far from ready to declare war.

April 1775 -- King George's troops advance on Concord, Massachusetts, prompting Paul Revere's midnight ride that sounded the alarm "The British are coming, the British are coming."

The subsequent battle of Concord, famous for being the "shot heard round the world," would mark the unofficial beginning of the American Revolution.

May 1776 -- After nearly a year of trying to work our their differences with England, the colonies again send delegates to the Second Continental Congress.

June 1776 -- Admitting that their efforts were hopeless, a committee was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee also included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman.

June 28, 1776 -- Jefferson presents the first draft of the declaration to congress.

July 4, 1776 -- After various changes to Jefferson's original draft, a vote was taken late in the afternoon of July 4th. Of the 13 colonies, 9 voted in favor of the

Declaration; 2, Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted No; Delaware was undecided and New York abstained.

John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. It is said that he signed his name "with a great flourish" so "King George can read that without spectacles!"

July 6, 1776 -- The Pennsylvania Evening Post is the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence.

July 8, 1776 -- The first public reading of the declaration takes place in Philadelphia's Independence Square. The bell in Independence Hall, then known as the "Province Bell" would later be renamed the "Liberty Bell" after its inscription - "Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."

August 1776 - The task begun on July 4, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, was not actually completed until August. Nonetheless, the 4th of July has been accepted as the official anniversary of United States independence from Britain.

July 4, 1777 -- The first Independence Day celebration takes place. It's interesting to speculate what those first 4th festivities were like. By the early 1800s the traditions of parades, picnics, and fireworks were firmly established as part of American Independence Day culture

Feast of the Holy, Glorious, and All-Praiseworthy Chiefs of the Apostles, Peter and Paul

The Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

The divinely-blessed Peter was from Bethsaida of Galilee. He was the son of Jonas and the brother of Andrew the First-called. He was a fisherman by trade, unlearned and poor, and was called Simon; later he was renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who looked at him and said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jonas; thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)" (John 1:42).

On being raised by the Lord to the dignity of an Apostle and becoming inseparable from Him as His zealous disciple, he followed Him from the beginning of His preaching of salvation up until the very Passion, when, in the court of Caiaphas the high priest, he denied Him thrice because of his fear of the Jews and of the danger at hand. But again, after many bitter tears, he received complete forgiveness of his transgression.

After the Resurrection of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, he preached in Judea, Antioch, and certain parts of Asia, and finally came to Rome, where he was crucified upside down by Nero, and thus he

ascended to the eternal habitations about the year 66 or 68, leaving two Catholic (General) Epistles to the Church of Christ.

Paul, the chosen vessel of Christ, the glory of the Church, the Apostle of the Nations and teacher of the whole world, was a Jew by race, of the tribe of Benjamin, having Tarsus as his homeland. He was a Roman citizen, fluent in the Greek language, an expert in knowledge of the Law, a Pharisee, born of a Pharisee, and a disciple of Gamaliel, a Pharisee and notable teacher of the Law in Jerusalem. For this cause, from the beginning, Paul was a most fervent zealot for the traditions of the Jews and a great persecutor of the Church of Christ; at that time, his name was Saul (Acts 22:3-4).

In his great passion of rage and fury against the disciples of the Lord, he went to Damascus bearing letters of introduction from the high priest. His intention was to bring the disciples of Christ back to Jerusalem in bonds. As he was approaching Damascus, about midday there suddenly shone upon him a light from Heaven. Falling

on the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" And he asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And that heavenly voice and brilliance made him tremble, and he was blinded for a time. He was led by the hand into the city, and on account of a divine revelation to the Apostle Ananias (see Oct. 1), he was baptized by him, and both his bodily and spiritual eyes were opened to the knowledge of the Sun of Righteousness.

And straightway- O wondrous transformation! - beyond all expectation, he spoke with boldness in the synagogues, proclaiming that "Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 9:1-21). As for his zeal in preaching the Gospel after these things had come to pass, as for his unabating labors and afflictions of diverse kinds, the wounds, the prisons, the bonds, the beatings, the stonings, the shipwrecks, the journeys, the perils on land, on sea, in cities, in wildernesses, the continual vigils, the daily fasting, the hunger, the thirst, the nakedness, and all those other things that he endured for the Name of Christ, and which he underwent before nations and kings and the Israelites, and above all, his care for all the churches, his fiery longing for the salvation of all, whereby he became all things to all men, that he might save them all if possible, and because of which, with his heart aflame, he continuously traveled throughout all parts, visiting them all, and like a bird of heaven flying from Asia and Europe, the West and East, neither staying nor abiding in any one place - all these things are related incident by incident in the Book of the Acts, and as he himself tells them in his Epistles.

His Epistles, being fourteen in number, are explained in 250 homilies by Saint John Chrysostom and make manifest the loftiness of his thoughts, the abundance of the

revelations made to him, the wisdom given to him from God, wherewith he brings together in a wondrous manner the Old with the New Testaments, and expounds the mysteries thereof which had been concealed under types; he confirms the doctrines of the Faith, expounds the ethical teaching of the Gospel, and demonstrates with exactness the duties incumbent upon every rank, age, and order of man. In all these things his teaching proved to be a spiritual trumpet, and his speech was seen to be more radiant than the sun, and by these means he clearly sounded forth the word of truth and illumined the ends of the world. Having completed the work of his ministry, he likewise ended his life in martyrdom when he was beheaded in Rome during the reign of Nero, at the same time, some say, when Peter was crucified.

The Icon of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

The Orthodox Church has a beautiful presentation of the importance and prominence of the Apostles Peter and Paul with the icon that shows both Apostles standing together holding an image of the Church. Both Apostles, being chosen by our Lord, were instrumental in the establishment and growth of the early Church through their boldness, spiritual strength, and wisdom. Thus they are recognized as "pillars" of the Church, having offered all even unto death for the sake of the Gospel of Christ.

In the icon, the Apostle Paul, the great missionary of the early Church, is holding a Gospel book, while the Apostle Peter offers a blessing with his right hand. At the top of the icon is the is a semicircle, representing the divine realm. Rays extend in the semicircle representing the blessings and presence of God upon His two chosen heralds of the True Faith.

This Child Prodigy's Incredible Artwork Will Make You Want To Doodle In Your Boring Meeting The Huffington Post | by Melissa McGlensey Posted: 04/30/2014

At an age when most children are still making stick figure doodles, one incredible kid is producing artwork that will astound you.

Dušan Krtolica, an 11-year-old child prodigy from Serbia, has been making art since he was 2 years old, according to OddityCentral. By the time he was 8 he had already had two national solo exhibitions, and he has since had two more to display his stunning and intricate drawings.

His fourth and most recent exhibition was earlier this month, Viola.bz, an art blog, reported.

Dušan's beautiful, incredibly detailed artwork, often done in pencil or pen, mostly depicts scenes with animals. He loves animals and has a wealth of knowledge about them, as well as about geological time periods and the prehistoric beasts who lived within them.

The fifth-grader from Belgrade learned to paint before he could walk, according to Viola.bz, and he also has plans to someday make his own encyclopedia of animals.

"I would have studied animals and published a book about them, but I’m going to draw all of them," Dušan told OddityCentral. He wants to be a zoologist someday.

Check out some of his astounding artwork below, and try not to feel too inadequate.

A Tower of Skulls June 2, 2014

by Nebojsa Malic

For over 200 years, at Chegar Hill outside of Niš, a monument has testified to the Serbian pursuit of freedom, and the brutality of the Ottoman Turks that sought to deny it.

Skull Tower, Nis, Serbia

In 1389, the Christian host assembled by Serbia’s Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović stopped the Ottoman horde at the Battle of Kosovo – but almost perished in doing so. Fatally weakened and caught between the expansionist Turks and opportunistic Hungarians, the Serbs managed to maintain their principality until 1459. For the next 350 years, Serbs and other Balkans Christians lived under the Ottoman yoke. Some of them, seeking to keep their lives and property, converted to Islam. Some sough refuge in remote areas, or the Austrian and Hungarian borderlands. Others trudged on, bowed but not broken, all the while dreaming of freedom.

Resistance to the Ottomans continued through banditry and occasional rebellions. In 1690, and again in 1737-39, the Serbs rose up in support of Austrian wars against the Turks, only to seek refuge in Austrian lands from Ottoman reprisals. Finally, in 1804, the Janissary terror sparked a major uprising led by Karađorđe (Карађорђе, Black George). While the Turks received some technical assistance and diplomatic support from Napoleon’s France, the rebels were backed by Russia, while their compatriots in Austrian lands provided funds and support. Between 1806 and 1812, Serbia took part in the Russo-Turkish war, and in 1812 its autonomy was guaranteed by the Treaty of Bucharest.

In May 1809, several Serbian columns advanced on Niš, then an Ottoman stronghold. Told of the approach of a Turkish relief force, they dug in on the hills northeast of town. On May 31, the Turks attacked the redoubt on Čegar Hill and broke the Serb line. In the last desperate act of defiance, Serb commander Stevan Sinđelić (Стеван Синђелић) shot at the gunpowder barrels in the redoubt, blowing up himself and the rearguard – as well as the attacking Turks. This enabled the remaining Serbs to withdraw.

The Ottoman commander, serasker Hurşid Ahmed Pasha, decided to mark his victory with a macabre display. He offered a prize on rebel heads, then ordered them skinned, stuffed, and sent to the sultan as trophies. Then he had a 15-foot tower built out of brick and mortar, and mounted the flayed skulls in the purpose-made windows. This Skull Tower (Ћеле-кула) was intended to strike fear into the rebellious Serb “infidels”.

Hurshid-Pasha is in many respects a typical product of Ottoman indoctrination: born a Christian in the Caucasus (today’s Georgia), he was enslaved as a child and converted to Islam, beco