Always abiding in the Love of Our Lord God, and through the prayers of our patron Saint Sava, the Decani Monastery Relief Fund continues onward in it's loving Christian appeals for your God loving donations. The Decani Monastery Relief Fund is a non profit organization, and tax deductible. All donations are first received by Veljko Sikirica, our Secretary-Treasure, and these funds afterwards are then sent to St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church, Washington, D.C. and put into the Church account for the Decani Monastery Relief Fund. Archpriest Victor Potapov is the parish priest of St. John the Baptist, and once your donation is received it's recorded and then you will receive a letter to this verification from the parish church at the end of the year.

No one know from day to day what is going to happen with the political situation throughout Yugoslavia. What we do know for sure is that thousand upon thousands of souls in Kosovo are going through some destitute times, and further assistance is needed to help those who are cold, hungry, and without proper shelter, as well as follow up for medical assistance. I am constantly in contact with Veljko Sikirica, Hieromonk Sava, and Archmandrite Theodosius about the current situation in Kosovo, and those in need is in abundance. Whatever happens in the region of Kosovo, we at this hour do not know, but we have many souls asking for help and further assistance. Our continue donations help all refugees in Kosovo, no one is turned away hungry, or cold, or without assistance for proper shelter or medical assistance. All religions are assisted, all men, women, and children, by the God loving efforts of the monks at the Decani Monastery in Kosovo.

Who we might ask helps with given this assistance from the donations received for the Decani Monastery Relief Fund? His Grace Vladika (Bishop) Artemije, then Archimandrite Theodosius, and Father Sava, all help with the outreach throughout the region of Kosovo, especially for caring for those in desperate need.

Veljko Sikirica just returned from Kosovo, and made a pilgrimage to the Decani Monastery, and what he witnessed was remarkable, as he desired to have a conversation with the Abbot Archimandrite Theodosius, the monks at the monastery indicated he was helping the needs of others, and he would return late in the evening, and that at twelve midnight, he might be able to talk to Father Theodosius, he did returned exhausted, and had the opportunity to tell Veljko that he and some of the monks where helping those in need of food, a warm blanket, and assisting with those in need of shelter, as well as bringing fire wood to those who where cold. Then again many citizens arrived at the Decani Monastery for assistance, the monks helped them with food and further assistance.

What a blessing what the Decani Monastery Relief Fund is doing, as it helps in the region of the monastery, but also throughout Kosovo.

The response to those who received help was often with tears Archimandrite Theodosius remarked to Veljko, Father Sava as well has often received thanks that the Serbian Orthodox Church is reaching out to assist all religions and all in need. His Grace Vladika Artemije begs us to please continue onward with the support of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund.

Soon it will be winter in Kosovo! Can we well imagine the need for wood, and a warm blanket? Can we imagine that many of the homes in Kosovo, do not have proper shelter, as the windows are covered with anything to keep out the wind and the cold, I have discovered that $50.00 provides enough of wood for a family for the whole winter in Kosovo. Please reach out in your God loving support for the Decani Monastery Relief Fund. We will find Father Theodosius and the monks bringing fire wood to those who are freezing, as the half town down homes of the widows, families, and the children are sought out, and when the fire wood arrives everyone weeps with joy! Father Theodosius leaves blankets, and some food. Father Sava does the same as Father Theodosius in other regions of Kosovo.

Now we have reports which have been confirmed that more then one hundred Serbain Orthodox Churches, and Monasteries, have been destroyed in Kosovo. This has happened after the war! Serbian Orthodox cemeteries too have been destroyed. Even those who have reposed in the Lord cannot rest in peace! Who will be concerned about the restoration of the Churches and Monasteries in Kosovo? Who shall restore the Serbian Orthodox cemeteries? If no funds are received where shall the God loving faithful Serbian Orthodox Christians go to Church? Where shall the newly departed in the Lord be buried? The Decani Monastery Relief Fund is interested in both the restoration of the Serbian Orthodox Churches and Monasteries, as well as the Orthodox cemeteries.

The matter is frighten for the innocent children! Who is providing warm clothes for the children, the loving innocent children, all children, every child needs help, no matter what religion or ethnic background. Think of the children please, pray for the children! The Decani Monastery Relief Fund is interested in the welfare of all the children in Kosovo! Perhaps you can help to by sending a donation for this fund which reaches out to all children. Bring a smile to these children, help them keep warm, and provide them with their needs.

At this time we would like to most humbly thank every God loving soul who has made a donation for the Decani Monastery Relief Fund, and those who have assisted this fund to move forward and onward.

Just this past week I received a phone call from Boston, Massachusetts that a concert will benefit the Decani Monastery Relief Fund, as this concert will take place at the end of October 2000. My heart and soul jumped with joy! We shall keep you posted as to the results.

We would like to humbly thank Archpriest Victor Potapov, and the members of his loving community of St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Church in Washington, DC in assisting the Decani Monastery Relief Fund.

We would like to thank everyone, and please note a recent letter that was addressed by Archimandrite Theodosius, the Abbot of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund. The God loving benefactors are not forgotten, as Father Theoddosius carries with him a book of all the names who made donations for the fund, as he also remembers those in prayer, and shares these names with both Father Sava, and Bishop Aretemije.

Our Lord God will reward you for your great Christian love and concern for those in Kosovo. May everyday of your life be blessed by our Lord God, and may He Shine His Face upon you today and always! Thank you humbly!

Veljko Sikirica offers his following report of the donations which have been received from the God loving people:

Decani Monastery Relief Contributions for June, July and August, 2000   Contributor Name 270. Margaret Stephens 271. Sarah Buerman 272. Eric Severin Peterson 273.. Margaret Stephens 274. Nicholas Brendon 275. Lydia Tolmacheff & Mark Scardina 276. Marion Yapuncich 277. Order of the Black Cross 278. Margaret Stephens 279. The Barnabas Fund 280. Slavko Andrejevic (Please kindly note: when you notice a named repeated, is because this person sent in another donation). Total for June, July and August   $9,657.76 Previous balance as of June 1st 2000 $56,096.83 Grand Total as of September 2000 : $65,754.59 With love in Christ, Veljko Sikirica Secretary-Treasuer