7-story monument to St. Symeon the Myrrh-streamer being installed in Belgrade

St. Symeon the Myrrh-streamer, one of the most important and revered saints of the Serbian Orthodox Church, will soon be honored in the capital city of Belgrade with the largest monument in Serbia.

On Monday, May 18, the pedestal for the future monument was installed on Sava Square in the city, Deputy Mayor Goran Vesić reported on his Facebook page.

Solemn Welcome of Bishop Joanikije in Berane

In a magnificent gathering, in front of the Djurdjevi Stupovi monastery, people of the Vasojevic clan organized by themselves a welcoming party for His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlye-Niksic on Sunday evening, 17 May 2020.

The faithful gathered in a great number, respect and love for their competent Bishop and Church, expressed their joy by shouting: We give up our lives, but sacred places not! Bishop, our pride, we will defend our sacred places! Long Live the Bishop! We want prayer processions!

Serbian Patriarch celebrated in the church of Saint George in Bezanija

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch officiated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the church of Saint George in Bezanija, in Belgrade, on 17 May 2020. The Patriarch was concelebrated by presbyters Vladimir Levicanin and Zelimir Prodanovic, as well as deacons Radomir Vrucinic and Darko Radovanovic.

His Grace Joanikije: We request religious freedom and rule of law and order in the state

His Grace Joanikije, Bishop of Budimlye and Niksic, after having been released of detention together with his eight priests of the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Basil of Ostrog in Nikšić, blessed the faithful who were protesting against their detention in front of the State Prosecutor’s Office in Niksic.

“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for your love and support. Your support is a token of love towards the Church and, consequently, normal continuation of our struggle for defending our shrines”, said His Grace being warmly greeted by the congregation of the faithful who were shouting: “We won’t give you up, Your Grace!”, “Long live you, Your Grace!” and “We won’t give up our shrines!”

His Grace Joanikije, Bishop of Budimlye and Niksic, and priests released

16^th of May 2020 - His Grace Joanikije, Bishop of Budimlye and Niksic, and eight priests of the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Basil of Ostrog in Nikšić have been realized around midnight after 72 hours spent in detention.

It is expected that His Grace and the priests, after their release from detention, will address the citizens who have been there since yesterday morning protesting against their arrest.

It should be reminded that after the prayer procession that had been held in Nikšić on May 12, on the feast-day of St. Basil of Ostrog, a 72-hour detention was ordered for Bishop Jonikije, Fr. Slobodan Jokic, Fr. Danilo Zirojevic, Fr. Zeljko Rojevic, Fr. Ostoja Knezevic, Fr. Mirko Vukotic, Fr. Vasilije Brboric, Fr. Dragan Krusic and Fr. Nikola Marojevic.

J o a n i k i j e

Our brother Joanikije thrown into a dungeon
Made of concrete,
so cramped that it’s impossible to straighten up.
Still, he has stood straight
in front of those who have imprisoned him,
those who have dug their own tomb.

The cross procession of St Basil of Ostrog
Has made them disturbed,
The cross procession - for St Basil veneration
And the freedom for Montenegro annunciation.
Behold, Joanikije and his people in the cross procession
Walking meekly for
unearthly liberation.

The whole Montenegro is too small
To be Joanikije’s dungeon, so little,
Since he’s been counted into God’s people;
And those not counted are nameless,
Pilatus - they all could be called
Although they haven’t hands of their guilt washed.

May the Lord God and St Basil
Help brother Joanikije
To be liberated and back to his people.
We Serbs won’t stop
calling upon unbaptized
to return the peace and freedom
to Montenegro
just as in the time when it was blessed
with the cross sign of the ancestors.