Metropolitan Porfirije: The Most Holy Mother of God is a perfect pattern of humilty and love

Dr. Vladan Tatalovic, professor at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the Belgrade University, was ordained deacon in the Lepavina Monastery.

Although the monastery is dedicated to the Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Temple, every year, on the feast-day of the Dormition of the Mother of God, many faithful from various regions traditionally gather. Both Orthodox and Catholics come to pray in front of the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Lepavina. The Holy Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Porfirije, Metropolitan of Zagreb-Ljubljana.

Ecclesiastical pleroma became richer for another clergyman: the Metropolitan ordained Dr. Vladan Tatalovic, extraordinary professor at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade, to the deaconate.

-Love and humility, as two basic virtues of the Most Holy Mother of God, should adorn all Christians. Just as no virtue is possible without love, so it is not possible for a person to be steadfast in any good without humility. Today, we most need that dual reality. Everywhere around us, but also in us, self-love usually reigns. It is often rationally clear to us that we should love and be sober. However, if what we know with the mind does not reach our heart and does not transform into deeds, then what we know about love and humility will be our condemnation, the Metropolitan spoke.

The Metropolitan congratulated the newly ordained deacon and pointed out that love and humility are especially important for liturgical service: - Deaconate, as a service of services, is a testimony of love and true humility. The first deacon of the Church of Christ, the Holy Archdeacon Stephen, had a pure heart and a fiery faith. He suffered because he did not want to renounce his faith in Christ. In the moments of his suffering, he, following the example of the Lord and the Most Holy Mother of God, did  show love and humility. To those who tortured and stoned him, not only did he not resent, but he prayed to the Lord not to take it for evil.

Source: Metropolitanate of Zagreb-Ljubljana