Funeral Service for Dusan Bogunovich

Funeral Services for +Dusan Bogunovich will be live-streamed Monday beginning at 10:30am – click here to watch

Born in Grahovo, Bosnia, (Yugoslavia) on April 3, 1938 Dusan, the “kind of person that always looks forward to tomorrow” departed this world on November 12, 2020.

Dusan was preceded in death by his father Brane Bogunovich, infant brother Jovan, mother and stepfather Milka and John Treitinger and dear granddaughter Mia Bogunovich. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lillian Bogunovich, children: Kathy (Mike), Danny (Debbie), Milan (Lori), David (Kelli) and Mark (Sabrina); grandchildren: Daniel (Kelly), Rebecca (Dale), Caroline (Austin); Stephanie (Joshua), Sarah (Kyle) Rachel (Ryan); Nicholas (Erica), Lily; Kirsten; Garet, Giana, and Gylian and great grandchildren: Daniel, Pierce and Milana. In addition, Dusan is survived by his Kumovi, the Kecman family, and the large Rogish family with many beloved nieces and nephews. He was a “brother” to sister in laws Gerry, Mary, Robin and Becky and brother in law, Nick and their spouses. Dusan had many friends in Akron, Springfield Township, Marlboro Township, at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in North Canton where he was a member and past board officer, and in the Kosovo Choir, where he served as President.

Dusan was the owner of Portage Awning in Randolph where he worked alongside family for over 40 years. For many years, Dusan and Lillian enjoyed boating on Salt Fork Lake with family and their friends John and Janice Winovich. Blessed with a strong singing voice, Dusan sang in various Church choirs and was most proud of his efforts with the Kosovo choir in recording Serbian heritage and Liturgical music. Dusan had a special friendship with Sam Coso and the other men in the choir. Dusan was a friend to anyone he met. He was a Veteran, having served as a US Army medic and leader of a cross country ski patrol in Alaska in the late 1950’s. Dusan loved to watch pro sports and particularly followed Serbian basketball players. Above all, Dusan loved Lillian, their children and grandchildren and time spent together at holidays, Slava, vacations or best of all-just ordinary days. He was Dad, “Dan”, Grandpy Dusan, Duchie, and Uncle Duncle. Dusan’s story of immigration to the United States of America, his resilience and survival is too big to tell in a simple obituary. His departure, coming after a short battle with metastatic breast cancer, will leave a large void in the lives of those who loved him. We pray that God will remember him always in His Kingdom. Memory Eternal! Vecenaja Pamjat!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, North Canton.

Adopt-a-Family Outreach for Christmas

Help give a little bit of hope and Christian love to some families that need some extra help this holiday season by signing up to adopt-a-family for our 2nd annual LTN “Adopt-a-Family” Christmas event.

By signing up, you will work with our coordinator to help offer some gifts for families in need – and by so doing you’ll not only lift their spirits, but yours as well!

Click here to sign-up online
https://forms.gle/iwHqbzG5o5kyjFi27

St. George in North Canton & COVID-19

UPDATE – JULY 14 2021

As many churches in our community, St. George North Canton is striving to keep our house of worship available, while at the same time ensuring the safest-possible practices to combat the spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus).Keeping in mind current CDC guidelines and recommendations, in addition to local and state recommendations, and with the blessing of our diocese, the following rules are currently in place:

If you are NOT VACCINATED, then masks must be worn at all times in church – NO EXCEPTIONS – if you cannot wear a mask, please join us online
If you are VACCINATED, then you may remove your mask in the church, and in church facilities
Social distancing is encouraged, where possible
Those receiving Holy Communion must follow the instruction of the celebrant
Hand sanitizer is available for those that enter the building, or need it during the service
Those who feel ill are encouraged to stay home

This represents a much closer return to normal worship in the life of our community, particularly for those who are vaccinated. Current data suggests that, for the vaccinated, not only is transmission of Covid-19 much more difficult – but the virus, itself, is less impactful if contracted. As such, we can begin, once again, to gather in greater numbers, venerate icons, remove masks, and use other shared-space items as we did before.

Still, for those who do not yet feel comfortable coming to church for any reason you are invited and encouraged to participate via streaming services on the parish Facebook page. Please contact Fr. Aleksa to schedule a pastoral visit, with appropriate safety-precautions, if you are homebound.

It is important to note that online services are not a substitute for regular services – if you are healthy (IE – fever and symptom free) then you should be joining us in church, worshipping together and receiving the sacraments with your church family. Our Lord has called us together in unity and oneness, and it is difficult to do that from home on a long-term basis.

The near-future is uncertain, and ever-changing, so the information provided is current as-of the date listed above – but may change again, or even without broader notice, pending any government orders or regulations.

For the time being, I will be continuing our new ministries of online services via Facebook, “Small Steps” sermons posted to YouTube, Morning Prayers, and other innovations started during the pandemic.

Please keep up-to-date on Facebook for news regarding events and services.

Reminder:

If you are worried of contracting COVID-19 due to respiratory issues, age, or personal health concerns – please be sure to do what makes you feel safe and in good health. Contact Father Aleksa to make sure he knows, and so he can reach out to you.

Through God’s grace, we have come quite far with regard to the pandemic. Our community, through prudence and love, has not been a breeding ground for spreading covid. It has been difficult, but we have persevered. Now is the time for us, once again, to gather together in worship so we can continue the good work and life in our St George parish!

Yours in Christ our Lord,

~Fr Aleksa

Love Thy Neighbor Mission at St. George

On Sunday, February 9th, the Love Thy Neighbor mission of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church hosted an informational coffee following Divine Liturgy. As parishioners enjoyed sandwiches, snacks, and desserts, the recently formed committee presented activities and future plans for the parish mission – to help those in need in the local community.

Linda Cameron, mission director, began the presentation by sharing a history of Love Thy Neighbor, calling out the many people who helped during the organization’s early days. She was followed by Melissa Laskovski who talked about the “Blessing Bag” program, “Comfort Boxes” and other mission projects.

Protinica Emily Pavichevich followed by inviting the congregation to “March to Marcha in March” – a Love Thy Neighbor outreach opportunity that will lead a group of faithful to New Marcha Monastery in Richfield, Ohio during Great Lent with a care basket of items, to help clean, and to tend to the monastery grounds.

Finally, Tiffany Kochovski rounded out the presentation by sharing a bit of the good work of Love Thy Neighbor, specifically the fantastic “Adopt a Family” Christmas program that provided gifts to dozens of families throughout Stark County.

May God bless this wonderful mission and grant them many more years of fruitful work!

2020 St. Sava Program

This year the children of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church prepared a special program to celebrate St. Sava of Serbia, the “first-enthroned hierarch and teacher of the way that leads to life.” In a break from previous years, the students prepared a full-length play on the life of St. Sava taken from a new publication by the Director of Religious Education for the Eastern American Diocese, Protodeacon Jovan Anicic: “Saint Sava Book of Plays for Children.”

Dressed in full costume, the students from age 5 to age 17 shared the story of St. Sava’s call to monastic service to a hall full of parents, grandparents, friends, and guests.

Immediately following the play, the “St George Folklore Group” put on a fantastic play of challenging kolo dances to the delight of all in attendance. As is customary, the event ended with the children leading the entire community in a dance.

Many thanks to our church school team: Director Svetlana McCully; Preschool teacher Marina Quinn; Primary School teacher, Gligo Sekulic; Teen teacher, Rajko Radonjich; teaching aides Jovana and Anastasija Sekulic.

Many thanks also to Jasminka Kraguljac who led the kitchen and baked the kolac; Kathy Tobias who made the koljivo; and the many volunteers who cleaned, decorated, setup tables, and cleaned up afterwards.

This event raised over $1000 to support our new St. George Folklore Group – an organization that, although newly formed, has given the children of the parish a way to bond and grow in friendship.

Thanks be to God!