Bishop Maksim of Western America visits Hilandar Monastery

His Grace Bishop Maksim of Western America visited the monastery of Hilandar on a great feast - Saint Vitus Day. On this occasion he conveyed greetings of believers from his diocese who participated with a great love and sacrifice in a charity enterprize "Circle 100" and collected, in the first of three annual actions, 100.000 USD for the help of the restoration of the monastery of Hilandar.

Inspired by the wonderful experience of the pilgrimage to  Mount Athos last year (2011) during Saint Vitus Day, and which brought a great spiritual benefit to all, Western American pilgrims on this holy place of many-centuries-old Serbian heritage, got one interesting idea.

With the blessing of Bishop Maksim of Western America who led pilgrims from his diocese to this voyage, it was decided to realize this idea - an appeal for the collection of financial aid for the restoration of the monastery of Hilandar.

Immediately upon the arrival it was quite clear that this would not going to be a short-term construction work. The reconstruction of damaged areas of the monastery of Hilandar requires a very specific work, knowledge and skills in the reconstruction of the burnt part  through the complex way of the restoration of old buildings.

Touched by the hospitality of abbot and the monks of this holy family, particularly their firm faith in the Resurrected God, Bishop Maksim and Mr. Ron Radakovic made a promise to found "Circle 100" which is based on a three-year money collecting in a total amount of 300,000 USD. Hundreds of individuals or families from the Western American Diocese will give 1000 USD annually, and in this way help the Hilandar.  

For the Glory of the God and with the joy of the participants this vision and project "Circle 100" successfully was realized during the Great Lent 2012. 

In this year's visit to the monastery of Hilandar Bishop Maksim came on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 before St. Vitus Day.

Source: hilandar.org