Descent of the Holy Spirit – patron feast-day of the Diocese and the Cathedral in Mostar

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishops Atanasije and Grigorije. - Dinner with the Mufti of Mostar and representatives of the Islamic community in Mostar and with a Franciscan monk.

The patron feast-day of the Cathedral church of the Diocese of Zaholm and Herzegovina in Mostar was in fact the celebration of all the faitful from the church community in Mostar and of all the members of the Diocese of Zaholm and Herzegovina, as well as of all the Christians all over the world.

The feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles - Pentecost – The Holy TrinityDay gathered a multitude of believers in the church under construction. The Holy Liturgy was presided over by the competent Bishop of Zaholm and Herzegovina, Mostar and Coastlands Grigorije, with the concelebration of the retired Bishop of Zaholm-Herzegovina Atanasije, by many clergymen and faithful people of God.

After the Holy Communion, a procession was organized through the narrow district of the town, starting  from the Old church, via the Old school, also under renovation, towards the Bishop's Residence, where the parishoners  offered refreshments for all the participants.

Bishop Gregory, in his address, announced the imminent completion of the renovation of the Old school, but of the reestablishement of the very institution of the school as well.

On the occasion of the patron saint of the Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, His Grace Bishop Gregory offered a dinner for the Mostar Mufti Salem Dedovic and representatives of the Islamic community in Mostar.

Since the representatives of the Islamic , because of Ramadan fasting season,  were not able tobe present at the celebretaion  of the Orthodox Cathedral on the Sunday, the Orthodox Bishop of Mostar with his clergy, respecting their religious rules, organized a special dinner at the Bishop's Residence in Mostar.

Bishop Gregory pointed out that meetings with representatives of the Islamic Community and even last night's dinner testify to what they preached. He added that the war disrupted many good things and caused a serious deviation in society, but it was up to religious leaders to ammend this and to show what were the real values.

Mufti Dedovic said that the religious leaders in Herzegovina had made a step forward when judging by the  meetings and gatherings on feast-days and that being together was not an unusual thing, but a continuity of cooperation.

Bishop Gregory  and Mufti Dedovic believe that the message of cooperation and positive examples will be heard  by the faithful, especially by the  young people.

The dinner in the Bishop's Palace was also attended by Fr. Iko Skoko from the Franciscan monastery in Mostar.

Source: Diocese of Zahumlje and Herzegovina