Metropolitan Amfilohije in Argentina visits Madariaga

His Eminence Amfilohije Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral continuing his visit to Argentina as Bishop-administrator of a newly-founded Diocese of Buenos Aires of the Serbian Patriarchate, served the  Holy Hierarchal Liturgy on Sunday, November 6 2011 in the premises of the Yugoslav society "Njegos" in the city of General Juan Madariaga in the province of Buenos Aires. 

This city, who is frequently called - Madariaga, is located 350 kilometers south of Buenos Aires, near the coast of the Atlantic ocean. The city got the name after the famous Argentinian military leader from the nineteenth century. 

General Madariaga is a home of many emigrants from Montenegro - families Bulajic, Dragojevic, Jankovic, Latkovic, Markovic, Milic, Mirkovic, Popovic, Radonjic, and many others, as well as many Dalmatians. The society  "Njegos" was founded in 1936. 

The Holy Liturgy, which was served by His Eminence Metropolitan with the concelebration  of parish priest of Buenos Aires presbyter Bosko Stojanovic and deacon Igor Balaban, as well as the solemn lunch prepared by hosts in Madariaga, were attended among others also the mayor of Madariaga Mr. Cristiano Popovic, as well originating from Montenegro, with his wife, the Catholic nun with residents of from the local orphanage and local journalists.

The Metropolitan held a very instructive sermon to the faithful on need of partaking the Holy Communion at the Divine Liturgy and its significance for us the Christians.

His Eminence Metropolitan in a conversation with mayor Mr. Popovic, the president of the Society "Njegos" Mr. Vasilije Jankovic, and other members of the Society, raised an issue, which was also mentioned in 2007 during the first visit of Metropolitan Amfilohije to Argentina, about building of an Orthodox church in  Madariaga. Regarding this, an initiative for the founding of the Committee for the construction of the church of St. Peter of Cetinje was launched.  Also an agreement was met with the mazor about giving a name to one city street after this significant  wonderworker of Cetinje.  

After the solemn table, during which His Eminence informed the present about the founding of a new Diocese and the plans for the construction of a new church, he along with local residents visited the city cemetary in Madariaga, where he served the memorial service for many families of our emigrants and blessed a place where the Society "Njegos" is building a great tomb for all our people, Montenegrins and Dalmatians, who had no family, because there is a fear that since nobody pays attention to their graves, their remains will be moved to the unnamed mass graves.  The society "Njegos" will put them in the great tomb where their names will be carved. Metropolitan Amfilohije for that cause gave made the contribution. 

On Monday, November 7, 2011 Metropolitan Amfilohije, upon the invitation of His Eminence Metropolitan Tarasye, Archbishop of Buenos Aires of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and on the occasion of the church slava (according to the Gregorian calendar used by this Patriarchate) served a great feast day's vigil service in the church of St. Archangel Michael in Banfield, a town 14 kilometers far from Buenos Aires.

Metropolitan served yesterday on November 8, 2011 on the feast day of the St. great martyr Demetrius the Divine Liturgy in the church of St. Sava in Buenos Aires.

Source: Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral