[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11990]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      IN HONOR OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE MONASTERY MARCHA CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2001

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Consecration of 
The Monastery Marcha Church for the esteemed dedication by the abess, 
Igumanija Ana and two sisters, Sisters Anastasia and Angelina, for 
their remarkable service to God and the Holy Orthodox Church.
  Monastery Marcha in Richfield, Ohio is erected in remembrance of the 
original Monastery Marcha in Serbia, built in the 17th Century, which 
was destroyed during the war with Austria-Hungary. Even though it was 
rebuilt in 1924, it was destroyed once again in 1991. However, due to 
the devotion of the congregants, the Monastery Marcha in Richfield 
became what it is today, the first monastery established for the 
Serbian Orthodox nuns in the United States.
  The Monastery is presently located on a beautiful 82 acre tract of 
land, which was purchased in 1968 for the sole purpose of building a 
Diocesan center. The spiritual and uplifting environmental atmosphere 
invites all those lost souls in need of spiritual enrichment, prayer, 
service, moral support, and love. The Monastery graciously houses a 
residence and living accommodations for monastics, a heavenly Chapel, 
and future plans hope to include a vast area for a cemetery and a 
residence for senior citizens.
  Each week the Holy Services are conducted by an area Orthodox priest 
who graciously volunteers his priestly duties to the Monastery. The 
nuns derive income through the generous donations but find that the 
main source stems from producing vestments, making candles and selling 
religious articles. The nuns have hospitably provided many spiritual 
retreats at the Monastery and have become speakers and program 
presenters throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.
  The nuns have taken an active part in service to the Monastery and it 
is well known that the doors of the Monastery are always open for all 
to enter.
  My fellow colleagues, please join me in honoring the Monastery Marcha 
Church for their many contributions to the diocese and wider religious 
community.

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