Feast of Venerable Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher at Hilandar Monastery

The feast of Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher, marking nine centuries since his birth, was solemnly celebrated at the Hilandar Monastery

On the eve of the feast-day, February 28nd, His Grace Bishop Jovan of Ulpiana, Vicar of the Serbian Patriarch, as well as numerous guests from Mt. Athos and all the Serbian lands, arrived to the monastery. The Bishop was welcomed by the brotherhood and the abbot of the monastery. His Grace officiated the all-night Vigil service and the Hierarchal Liturgy next morning.

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, accompanied by  Director of the Office for Cooperation with Churches and Religious Communities Dr. Mileta Radojevic, Secretary General of the Government of Serbia Veljko Odalovic and Commander of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit Colonel Spasoje Vulevic, attended the Liturgy as well.

At the Holy Liturgy Prime Minister of Republic of Serbia Mr. Ivica Dacic read Credo and Our Father.

After the Holy Liturgy, there was an agape lunch prepared for all the guests when  Chilandar abbot Metodije welcomed the guests. Bishop Jovan also addressed the gathering and conveyed blessings with His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

After the lunch, Prime Minister Minister Dacic was informed about the restoration of the burnt down monastery refectory.  The Prime Minister and Bishop Jovan visited the capital of the Mt. Athos Karyes, where they venerated the Cathedral church of Mount Athos and met with protos of Mt. Athos, Hilandar’s Archimandrite Stefan.