St Gregory Palamas’s Homily on the Transfigurationst Gregory Palamas’s Homily on the Transfiguration

For an explanation of the present Feast and understanding of its truth, it is necessary for us to turn to the very start of today’s reading from the Gospel: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up onto a high mountain by themselves” (Mt 17:1).

First of all we must ask, from whence does the Evangelist Matthew begin to reckon with six days? From what sort of day be it? What does the preceding turn of speech indicate, where the Savior, in teaching His disciples, said to them: “For the Son of Man shall come with his angels in the glory of His Father,” and further: “Amen I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death, until they have seen the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom” (Mt 16:27-28)? That is to say, it is the Light of His own forthcoming Transfiguration which He terms the Glory of His Father and of His Kingdom.

Protopresbyter-stavrophor Dr. Mateja Matejic (1924-2018)

Priest, writer and university professor: Protopresbyter-stavrophor Dr. Mateja Matejic (1924-2018)  

We are all obliged in the Church to always remember in our prayers our teachers, co-workers, neighbors and predecessors. The Apostle Paul, addressing the Hebrews, writes: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith,” (13:7). Therefor, this brief biography I write out of my gratitude to Fr. Mateja Matejic: a priest, writer, anthologist, professor, father and friend. 

Patriarch consecrates Saint Sava Chuch in Mrkonjic Grad

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej consecrated the church of Saint Sava in Mrkonjic Grad, Bosnia, on 2 August 2018. For the glory of the Lord, the founder Mr. Mladen Milanovic presented the beautiful church to His Church and the Serbian people.

The Patriarch was concelebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb-Ljubljana and Their Graces Bishops Jefrem of Banjaluka, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, Gerasim of Gornji Karlovac and Sergije of Bihac-Petrovac, as well by  abbot of the monastery of Chilandar Archimandrite Metodije as well as Archimandrites Vasilije (Kostic) from Greece and Stefan from the Velika Remeta monastery, hieromonk Metodije Kragulj, protopresbyter-stavrophor Vojo Balaban, archpriest Dragan Maksimovic, protodeacon Radojica Zagran and deacon Zoran Djuric. President of Republic of Srpska MIlorad Dodik and Prime Minister of the Government of Republic of Srpska were present at the Liturgy.

Venerable Mother Angelina of Serbia

She was a daughter of the Orthodox Albanian prince Gjergj Arianit Komneni, sister-in-law of George Kastrioti Skanderbeg and a wife of Serbian despot Stefan Brankovic, son of George. With her husband she shared the full bitterness of his life, not only in Serbia but also, in exile in Albania and Italy. Their sons Maksim and Jovan she educated in a Christian spirit. When her husband died, she became a nun and devoted herself to prayers and works of mercy, repairing and building churches and monasteries. The people calls her  "Mother Angelina". Her wonderworking relics rest along with the relics of her righteous husband Stefan and devoted sons Maksim and Jovan in the monastery of Krusedol. Saint mother Angelina died in the beginning of XVI century.

Patriarch Irinej serves in St Petka church on Cukarica

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch officiated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the church of St Petka on Cukarica on the feast day of Venerable Martyr Parasceva, 8 August 2018.

He was concelebrated by diocesan dean protopresbyter-staurophor Branko Mitrovic and protopresbyter-staurophor Stanko Trajkovic, abbot of the monastery of Denkovac Archimandrite Seraphim, presbyter Sasa Krstic, protdodeacons Stevan Rapajic and deacons Vladimir Rumenic, Dragan Tanasijevic, Dragan Nedjic and Marko Stankovic.

7 Holy Youths “Seven Sleepers” of Ephesus

The Seven Youths of Ephesus: Maximilian, Iamblicus, Martinian, John, Dionysius, Exacustodianus (Constantine) and Antoninus, lived in the third century. Saint Maximilian was the son of the Ephesus city administrator, and the other six youths were sons of illustrious citizens of Ephesus. The youths were friends from childhood, and all were in military service together.

When the emperor Decius (249-251) arrived in Ephesus, he commanded all the citizens to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Torture and death awaited anyone who disobeyed. The seven youths were denounced by informants, and were summoned to reply to the charges. Appearing before the emperor, the young men confessed their faith in Christ.