NEWS AND EVENTS - Monday, December 2, 2013

BISHOP MAXIM TO SPEAK AT CATHEDRAL ADVENT SEMINAR

Chicago, IL - Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago will host an Advent Seminar for parishioners and guests on Saturday, December 7th, featuring a talk by special guest hierarch, His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America. The seminar will be held following the Vespers service which begins at 5 PM.A professor of hagiology, Bishop Maxim's presentation will center on the theme "Holiness in History and Today."

We asked the bishop, in advance of the seminar, if there was a difference between historical and contemporary holiness.

"There aren't essential differences, but there are differences in expressions and types of holiness -- just as there are differences, for example, between saintly efforts (podvizi) during the time of martyrdom and the epoch of St Photius the Great," Bishop Maxim explained.

"These differences relate to expressions and living conditions, as well as the mentality of people who live the Gospel and confront the challenges which stand in the way of personal togetherness with God," he added, noting that at no previous time in history was there such an open "de-holification" of faith as there is today, driven by certain celebrities and media.

The bishop also stated he looks forward to visiting the Cathedral.

"The Holy Resurrection community in Chicago is blessed by its Slava - Christ's triumph over death. There are people there who are especially awakened to living and working in the sign of Life eternal, to theology as the liturgical-ascetical bread of life," he said and added, "I expect a very lively discussion and challenging questions."

The Advent Seminar will open a weekend of spiritually-enriching events at the Cathedral. On Sunday, December 8th, a hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilohije of Montenegro and the Coastlands, together with Bishop Maxim and our own diocesan hierarch, His Grace Bishop Longin. Following the eucharistic celebration, which will begin at 9:30 AM, a luncheon will be served and Metropolitan Amphilohije will speak on the 9th Centenary of the birth of Stefan Nemanjic and 2nd Centenary of the birth of Njegos. More info here