News and Events - July 2009
IN MEMORIAM:
V. REV. STAVROPHOR DR. NEDELJKO GRUREVICH
V. REV. STAVROPHOR DR. NEDELJKO GRUREVICH
On the occasion of the repose of the Very Reverend Stavrophor Dr. Nedeljko Grgurevich, we are publishing the speech delivered by His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan of the Eastern Diocese at the Retirement Banquet of Prota Nedeljko held at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Johnstown, Pa on March 6, 2005.
Your Eminences,
Very Reverend and Reverend Fathers,
Dear brothers and sisters,
“Let the presbyters be compassionate and merciful to all, bringing back those who wonder, visiting all the sick-and not neglecting the widow, the orphan, or the poor” (St. Polycarp)
Allow me to say a few words at this testimonial banquet in honor of our dear and most worthy Protojerej-Stavrofor Dr. Nedeljko Grgurevic, whose hair turned gray more because of his wisdom than his age. At times it's difficult speaking of someone we don't know very well. But it's just as difficult speaking about someone whom we have known and worked with for a long time. In the first case, we fear we might say something offensive or even praise them too much. On this occasion, however, my fear is that I might omit something among the many good things that I know of Fr. Nedeljko. In both cases, I trust that Fr. Nedeljko will forgive me if my praise of him is unsuitable. For we are all aware of the Old Testament words of the holy Prophet David who writes, "Praise is comely for the upright" (Ps. 32:1), that is, to those whom the Lord has written in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:15) and not mortals.
As members of the clergy we need to be aware of the fact that everything we have done or do for God's holy Church, is not the fruit of our success, but the grace of God (Eph. 2:8). St. Paul writes so beautifully: "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (I Cor. 15:10). Truly, it is as our Lord says, "So, likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." (Lk.17:10).
In our Christian dealings with one another, whether it be between a bishop and a priest, a priest and a lay person, or Christians among themselves, we must always have the words of the holy Apostle Paul in mind, ".in honor give preference to one another" (Rom. 12:10).
Usually it is our friends that praise us, while our enemies criticize us. In both cases there are extremes. For it isn't as important what people will say about us as much as what the Lord will say. As one ascetic of our times said, "The entire world can say: You are good. But when God says, You are unworthy! The word of God is certainly of greater importance." Didn't God warn us, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Lk 6:26)?
On the other hand, however, the holy Apostle Paul advises his spiritual child Timothy: "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine." (I Tim. 5:17). These words can literally apply to today's guest of honor who, after forty-two years of laboring in the Lord's Vineyard, enters into his much deserved retirement.
The first time I saw Fr. Nedeljko was in September-October of 1966 when, as a professor of the Seminary in Belgrade, he led the senior class on an educational excursion to Monastery Krka. Metropolitan of Dabro-Bosna Nikolaj (Mrdja), who was the rector there at the time, greeted him with carefully chosen words.. I never thought, at the time, that I would one day be in America and that I would be bishop of the Eastern American Diocese. And I believe that Fr. Nedeljko never thought he would come here and be the deacon and secretary of Bishop Sava, of blessed memory, and afterwards the parish priest in Steubenville, Elizabeth and finally in Johnstown, during the time of His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher, who was bishop of the Eastern diocese at the time. All together, we've been working together for more than17 years in many different church-related bodies, for which he has been my Episcopal Deputy for more than 13 years. So, the duties have fallen on me to say a few words of gratitude to our dear guest of honor, for his selfless work.
Nothing happens in our lives, dear brothers and sisters, without the providence and permission of God. The holy Psalmist says: "You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways" (Ps. 138: 2-3). For truly, "unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out" (Rm. 11:33), not only in regards to the salvation of the world but each person individually.
Fr. Nedeljko worked in many spiritual fields of the Serbian Church, from being a professor at the Seminaries in Prizren and Belgrade, to the St. Sava Theological College in Libertyville, where he served as professor since its inception. Besides this, he lectured at Christ the Saviour Carpatho-Russian Seminary in Johnstown. He is known throughout the Orthodox world as a writer of well respected works on liturgics as well as the history of the Serbian Church.
He has left enviable success at each parish he served. I came to this conclusion having heard so many wonderful things about him from our faithful people. However, this doesn't mean that he was accommodating to everyone. No. If we were to do this we would not be Christ's servants. He went not only where the Church sent but where he thought he felt there was a need for him to go. I know how much he loved and still loves this parish. He was offered many different, larger parishes, "better" if you will, but he chose to remain in the isolated and remote Johnstown. And I know that you, dear brothers and sisters, loved him, that you love him and will always love him.
There is nothing better in life than to be remembered nicely. As our great poet Bishop Petar Petrovic Njegos says, "Blessed is he who lives forever for he truly had a reason to be born." This is that "Memory eternal", eternal remembrance, eternal love. It's with our love that we defeat death, both ours and those whom we love. The wise Old Testament writer says, "Love is stronger than death." One contemporary Orthodox theologian says a similar thing when he writes: "When we say, I love you, this means - you will not die." Rather, I wish you eternal life in the Heavenly Kingdom.
Dear Fr. Nedeljko,
I would be mistaken not mention those who helped you in your ministry. Firstly, this was your devoted, faithful and humble wife Dubravka. The Serbian saying, "The Popadija is half the pop," is not in vain. I must admit, in some case, she is even more than half. Also, I should mention your beautiful sons, Svetozar and Stefan, whom you brought up in the Serbian, Christian spirit. Then there is your daughter-in-law Mary and your grandchildren: Luka and Marko. I need not even mention the many members of Church boards that have helped you in your work in Steubenville, Elizabeth and especially in Johnstown.
You had many misfortunes and obstacles from both visible and invisible enemies. Besides this, you and your family were affected by health problems as well. All of this you endured stoically. You didn't give up or become exhausted. For you had the words of the holy Apostle Paul in mind, an example to all of those who work and struggle: "I can do all thing through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). May God grant you the strength to endure to the end. For our Lord tells us that it is only he who endures to the end that will be saved. We pray to God that you endure. In all of the misfortunes, you had before you the example of your father Bosko, who loved the Church more than anything. Who refused to leave his Church even with his job at stake. He served as president of the church-school congregation, not to mention other church duties, for more than 20 years; also, your mother Jovanka, whom I personally knew. This was a true Christian, both humble and dignified at the same time. I need not even mention your uncle, the hieromartyr Momcilo, who lived a monastic life. He was not afraid of the enemies of the Christian faith and the Serbian people. He finished his earthly life as a martyr and was decorated with the wreath of righteousness from Christ our God (II Tim. 4:8) for his fearless confession. He made you, as you yourself said, what you are today. May he be a continual intercessor before the Throne of the Almighty, for you and your family.
It doesn't mean that from today on you are no longer needed by us. We continue to trust in your help, especially spiritual help. Your heart tells you that going into retirement doesn't mean an end to your obligations of your priestly duties. Our priesthood has a greater significance, as the Psalmist David says, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek" (Ps. 110:4). You will never forget in your prayers your spiritual children, according to the divine words of St. Apostle Peter: “And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things’ (II Pet. 1, 15).
May this day be joyous and blessed by God. I thank you for all that you have done for your Holy Serbian Church, your suffering Serbian people, the Diocese of Eastern America, the parishioners that you served, as well as the great help you were to me personally. May God reward you with His immeasurable gifts which do not fade. God grant you many years!