"Istocnik" has lived to enjoy the 20th anniversary of its regular publication. While thinking about this occasion, as well as Christmas which is near, and what to say and what message to send, I remembered to turn to the first pages of this publication and to refresh our readers' memory of that first issue.
The "Dabrobosnian Istocnik" after which our publication is named, began publication exactly 100 years before our "Istocnik" And, as the truths stated in that introduction back in 1887 are still relevant it is appropriate even today to remember them.
"The ages bear witness to the reality that the future is secure only for that nation which stands on the firm and immovable foundation of world knowledge and Christian morality; and just as human history preaches to us that such a people, despite the most difficult changes, does not allow itself too easily to be erased from the world stage, but rather on the contrary becomes stronger and progresses and, thus is always prepared to dictate to the times and not the times to it.
The Serbian Nation was once powerful and glorious, but time has today broken it into pieces; if ever it was necessary for the survival of any nation, that foundation - that knowledge is moral strength - it is certainly most necessary for the Serbian people. The Church and school - theoretically an undivided entity - in actuality the two most important factors - guarantees the Serbian nation not only survival, but gives it the power to develop and perfect itself.
The Serbian priest can proudly look at the columns of his own history where he will find: that the Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church was for Serbian morale not only a house of prayer, but also a house of learning in those times when he could not hear this in any other place; and parallel to this the Serbian priest was not only a spiritual father and priestly servant of God's altar, but a teacher also of its national altar, passing on to all everything that could be expected of him."
Today, after 20 years, we have remained at its primary designation - to publish original articles, and we have added something else: "Istocnicic" ("Little Istocnik") which has become an integral part of our publication for children and youth, themes have been categorized into theology, Serbian themes, themes of current interest, summaries of texts which are translated into English and Those Who Have Fallen Asleep in the Lord. Also, a list of donations has been added.
The original intention, due to our inexperience, was for contributors from America and the Homeland, more learned in this work to enrich our publication. However, since this sporadically took place we directed our publication towards original themes, while primarily publishing articles by our contributors from the diocesan circle.
On the occasion of the Feast of Christ's Nativity, this time we wish only to emphasize that there is "nothing new" in the world except the Incarnation of the Son of God. Therefore, let us watch out for the times, let us be careful that the Incarnate God is not wrested from our hearts; let us not be burdened by this world "full of pain, sorrow and sighing" but rather may this Christmas shine brightly for us, so that in Him we may perceive all our life, and with the words "Rejoice O ye people" we too may find ourselves in that grace-filled joy with which the angels made the Bethlehem shepherds joyful:
CHRIST IS BORN!
Your intercessor before Christ,
Bishop of Canada
