A holy soul cares for his neighbor...

A holy soul cares for his neighbor, either close at hand or far away.  He cares where the homeless will spend the night, how the hungry will be fed, with what the naked will be clothed.  He cares and he prays for the salvation of his neighbors:  that their hearts may be filled with love towards God, that their minds may be directed towards God, that the wicked may turn from the paths of wickedness, that the hesitant may be confirmed in the Faith, that the firm may persevere, that the departed may behold the Face of God, that the living may be written in the Book of Life in the Kingdom of Light. 

Beloveds, 

Those of you who have been Orthodox Thought readers for some time know that the persecution of the Christian populace of Kosovo (Serbia) is very close to my heart.  Along with our brother in Christ, Fr. Nektarios Serfes of Boise, Idaho, I try to keep readers abreast of the difficulties in the province and provide a way of bringing relief to our brothers and sisters in Christ there.   

The Decani Monastery Relief Fund is the means we use to make sure monies sent for relief make it to Kosovo and are fully utilized for those who are in significant hardship.  The fathers of the Decani Monastery are God’s hands and feet who distribute funds to individuals and families who are oppressed.  Sadly, conditions in the region continue to deteriorate. 

Ariane Trifunovic Montemuro is a board member of the Fund and has prepared a short YouTube video as a reminder of Kosovo’s plight:  https://youtu.be/ycBFeYbbmGc.  As an artist, Ariane has prepared a poignant visual reminder of the desecration of Kosovo.   

The aim of the desecration and personal oppression against Christians is to demoralize and destroy the Orthodox Christian population there.  The struggle of Christians in the region is relentless, whether you hear about it in the news or not.  This is what makes their situation particularly heavy.  If you are willing to support those in hardship in Kosovo, our brethren in Christ, please consider Ariane’s offer at this time.   

In Kosovo today, we are witnessing a consistent, slow but sure, modern day genocide of yet another Christian population, this one steeped in centuries of active Christian witness.  What is happening there  now is deplorable.  However, those who care can bring relief and hope to those who struggle for faith and livelihood in Kosovo.  Prayer is needed along with practical assistance. 

Please give someone in Kosovo the strength to keep carrying a very heavy cross.  Even our Christ received help to carry His cross from Simon the Cyrene on His approach to Golgotha.  Do you feel compelled by God to take up Simon’s ministry for contemporary cross-bearers?  Our spiritual kindred in Kosovo are among today’s cross-bearers.  The opportunity to come alongside them and lift the cross is here and now,  for Christ’s sake.  

Visit the Decani Monastery Relief Fund site here:  http://www.thedecanifund.org/  Donations can be made via Paypal or by check.  I know Fr. Nektarios Serfes, DMRF president and am known by Bishop  Teodosije of Decani Monastery.  I recommend this philanthropic work without hesitation. 

God reward you! 

With heartfelt thanks,

Pres. Candace