Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God in the Cathedral in Novi Sad

His Grace Dr. Irinej, Diocesan Bishop of Backa, presided over the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the Cathedral in Novi Sad, with concelebration of Bishop Isihije of Mohács, archimandrites Procopius (Tajara) and Vasilije (Kostiс), priests and deacons of the Diocese of Backa, on 15/28. August 2020, which is the feast-day of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God.

“The Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God is the Feast of Her repose, when She leaves the earthly world and life and passes into eternal life, into the community and arms of Her Son and Lord.” The day of repose of the saints is celebrated as the day of their true birth, because death is not a transition into nothingness, non-existence, non-being, but a transition of the soul from the body into the Kingdom of God. This is especially true for the Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotocos. Being the true, purest, holiest human being, She is the New Eve, the new true Mother of Life. Her death is a transition from death to life - life-giving death. This is emphasized in Church hymns of today's feast. The Most Holy Mother of God did not remain with her body in the grave, but God glorified her in a special way: God miraculously took her body, after a three-day rest in the grave, to Himself in heaven,” Bishop Irinej pointed out.

“It is said in the Kontakion of today's feast that the body of the One who gave birth to Life - the Lord Jesus Christ could not be kept by grave and death any longer, and She was transferred from death to life. That is why we, praying to the Most Holy Mother of God as the Mother of all of us, are convinced that Her motherly love, as an invisible omophorion, protects the whole world and all God's creation, and - through Her - each of our prayers reaches the Lord,” stressed Bishop Irinej of Backa, at the same time wished every divine blessing to the faithful and especially to the parishioners of the Church of the Dormition in Novi Sad, who were celebrating their church dedication feast.

During the Holy Liturgy Bishop of Backa Irinej ordained deacon Miladin Bozilovic a presbyter, and the Bishop of Mohács Isihihije ordained catechist Milovan Krstic a deacon.

Source: Diocese of Backa