Old Holy Trinity factions reach temporary reconciliation

January 5, 2012 at 8:39p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

As Saturday’s Serbian Orthodox Christmas observance approaches, the current and former officers and directors of the Old Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church have reached a temporary reconciliation of their differences.

After about two hours of negotiations in the Mahoning County Courthouse, lawyers for the two factions announced the temporary out-of-court agreement Thursday.

Under that agreement, the new officers and directors, who were elected Dec. 4, will retain control of the church, which is located at 420 N. Raccoon Road, for 60 days, with a church meeting with another election of permanent officers and directors to be scheduled within that time frame.

However, the old leadership will operate the church’s bingo, with the bingo proceeds going to the church.

“We want to bring everybody together, and I think that’s a big win for everybody,” said Greg Stanic, first vice president of the newly-elected church board. “It is a win for the church and for the membership to be together and have a peaceful Christmas,” he added.

“It’s going to provide an orderly means of transitioning into the next year,” Atty. Robert S. Fulton, lawyer for the former church leadership, said of the agreement. “A meeting will be held and due process will be followed,” he added.

“We sincerely hope that the Holy Spirit will descend upon everybody and bring peace and accord to the church,” Fulton said.

Stanic characterized the dispute as a property dispute, but Boris Vuksanovich, president of the former church board, said it stemmed from political and religious differences.