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RESTORATION NEWSSpring-2003 "Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven." Matthew 5:16.
CHAIRWOMAN'S MESSAGE: What we have all been anxiously waiting for is slowly becoming a reality the replacement of the 150-year old Cathedral roof. By the time you read this message, the roof on the church office will have been completed. The new slates are beautiful. Also, those attending Sunday services will have noticed the original brownstone color of the external walls emerging after being power-washed. Watching the entire process taking shape is nothing less than thrilling. The contract has been signed for the second section of Phase II: the Apse (Altar) roof and cleaning of exterior walls. Once the Apse is completed (end of 2003), we will not be financially solvent to continue with the largest part of the roof - the Nave. What a pity it would be not to be able to complete the entire roof. Because we have no other alternative, we, once again, turn to our friends and community for support. Although we continue to solicit funds from outside sources, we cannot depend on them. Therefore, we are left to our own resources: our precious donors. Along with a letter, pledge forms have been sent detailing the scope of the work done so far and that which is impending. It is important that all of our donors be familiar with the status of the restoration program, since there would be no restoration without contributions. Should each person respond with a donation as requested, there would be sufficient funds to complete the entire roof by the end of 2004 and the 60th Anniversary of the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava. Please call the church office for information to enable you to participate and become a part in this Special Pledge II drive. Let us all pledge to make the year 2004 the most important milestone since St. Sava Cathedral was consecrated. God has been kind to our church by saving the roof from collapse, however, another winter like the one past will place us in great danger. We have come a long way. Let us complete the job and celebrate what we have all helped to accomplish. An aside: Did you know that of l,600 addresses on the church mailing list, over 900 Serbs have never made any contributions to their church? We say "their" because it is theirs whenever they need it, and the time comes when we all need it, both in joy and in sorrow. Can you imagine where we would be if they, too, participated in this very exciting endeavor? If you know any of them, make it your responsibility to encourage them to join us in saving a church, as well as building an exciting and vibrant Serbian community. No Serb should be left out! Neither should any friends of St. Sava. Let us continue to build and grow as a people in brotherhood. "Our days are like the grass. Like flowers of the field we blossom." Psalm 103:15
RIDGEWOOD FUNDRAISER: On March 1, 2003, the Cathedral of St. Sava held a fundraiser for the first time at the Ridgewood Club in Glendale, N.Y., home to the largest concentration of Serbs in the tri-state area. Because of the generosity of the Club’s administration that offered the facility gratis for this occasion, the event was very successful. Two hundred beautiful Serbian people, many of whom met for the first time, were in attendance. Stimulated by the delicious food, prepared by the Club’s superb cook, good music, entertainment, and friendly social interaction, the party ended in the wee hours of the morning. St. Sava Cathedral gained many friends that evening, and we are all the richer for having been together. At the Ridgewood Club, the Chairwoman’s address was quite moving. In brief, she stated, "That no institution can long survive without the generosity and participation of its community. With no community, there is no advancement; without advancement, there is no future; without a future, we, as Serbs, will quickly lose our identity." She also stated, "that the best way to become a strong and productive force is to have us all unite to save the faith we have been bequeathed." She concluded that we have a responsibility "to restore our one and only church" (in New York City). "Our forefathers saved our identity and faith, and now our time has come. Help whenever and however much you can so that the Cathedral of St. Sava can live into the fourth millennium. Together, united, with love and respect, and, above all, God’s blessings, the Cathedral of St. Sava will live."
FLEA MARKET: The next flea market will be held Saturday June 7th and Sunday June8th. Please keep this date open, and come join us. We can use all the help we can get.
April 15th of each year, we face the deadline to submit our tax information or make payments when due. But in preparing your taxes each year, do you carefully review your charitable giving, especially to your church? Have you established for each ensuing year that percentage of your yearly donations? If we donate to our church, as well as to other charities, we personally direct our hard-earned incomes to the charities of our choice. Thus, we need to determine whether our contributions are above or below the average percentage allowed for our income. Generally, 2% is considered a low starting point, but there can be variables permitting us to contribute even more. Yet, many people do not make any contributions to the charities of their choice, let alone the minimum allowed. Can you spare a part of your income to donate to the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral restoration and building fund? Will you donate to help restore this beautiful landmark church? Is it possible for you to review your charitable giving and consider your church’s need? Can you spare to help your church? Will you seriously consider doing your share to save not only a New York City landmark but, also most importantly, save this church? There is much to be done before we complete the entire restoration process. Phase I is completed, and we have started Phase II: Roof Replacement. Phase III will follow at a later date. In the meantime, we need everyone’s help. May we count on your generosity so that we can succeed in attaining the goals established for completing the restoration of our church in the planned time period?
CENTRAL PARK’S 150-YEAR MILESTONE. There will be many events this year, starting with a July 19th birthday party, a film fest and concerts, all celebrating this world-renowned landmark park. But did you know that in the year 2004 St. Sava Cathedral (formerly Trinity Chapel) will celebrate 160 years’ of existence? It is older than Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge, and perhaps other historical sites in the City. Central Park has evidence of Jay Wrey Mould’s architectural details, but did you know that the St. Sava social hall is the only building remaining in the City designed and built by Mould? It, with the rest of the Cathedral complex, is listed as a landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Commission of New York City and by the National Register of Historic Places of the Department of the Interior. Aren’t we lucky that this structure and the other buildings are part of the landmark complex now owned and operated by the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava? We are a part of the history of New York City, and proud owners of our own landmark structures!
BISHOP NIKOLAI: In our newsletters, we frequently quote from the words and wisdom of Bishop Nikolai. For those who may not know about him, he was a renowned Serbian theologian and Bishop who had served the Church in Serbia, prior to World War II. After his release from Dachau concentration camp, he also served the church in England and America. His theological writings have earned him the title: The Chrysostom of the Serbian Church. In the early days at St. Sava in New York City, he was the residing Bishop. Later he taught theology at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, Pennsylvania, where he reposed in the Lord. He was buried in St. Tikhon’s cemetery, but in 1990 his relics were returned to his native Serbia. Greatly revered by Serbians and other Orthodox Christians in America and abroad, he was also well respected by church dignitaries outside the Orthodox Church, especially by the Episcopalian Church. He continues to be a legend amongst all people whom he touched with his knowledge and wisdom. At St. Vladimir’s Seminary, a building is named in his honor. On May 20th, word was received that the late Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich of Zica was beatified in Belgrade by the Holy Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
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