Orthodox Primates served Divine Liturgy in Podgorica's Cathedral Church

Eight primates of the Local Orthodox Churches led by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Russian Patriarch Kirill and Serbian Patriarch Irinej consecrated yesterday morning Podgorica's Cathedral church of the Resurrection of Christ. 

More than thousand Orthodox believers from Montenegro, Herzegovina and Serbia participated prayerfully in the holy service. His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, said that the consecration of the Cathedral church of the Resurrection of Christ represented a great and glorious day not only for our Church and people but also for all Orthodoxy and Christianity. As he emphasized, the consecration of the Cathedral church in Podgorica was a crown of the celebration of the Edict of Milan.

Patriarch Bartholomew call the people of God to unity of the Orthodox Church in Montenegro and respect for canons. He said that the consecration of the Cathedral church represents an invitation to the unity of the Church, and added that no one had the power to found new Orthodox Churches in this region.

His All-Holiness also said that the consecration of the Cathedral church was a symbol of the resurrection of the Orthodox Church in Montenegro, which suffered many temptations after the World War Two. Patriarch Bartholomew also pointed out that the Orthodox was still prosecuted in various places in the world, and especially in the Middle East.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia also urged for the preservation of the Orthodox faith, for it saved Montenegro in hard historical moments. 

Patriarch Kirill was greeted by thousands of Orthodox believers, and then he presented a gift to Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral - an icon of Most Holy Mother of God, Protector of Russia and episcopal panagia. 

Then at the entrance of the church, Orthodox primates released doves of peace  which are the symbol of Holy Spirit, and in memory of this historical day, they planted olive trees beside the Cathedral church.

The Divine Liturgy was attended by presidents of Montenegro and Republic of Srpska Mr. Filip Vujanovic and Mr. Milorad Dodik, representatives of diplomatic corps in Podgorica, representatives of other Christian Churches and traditional religious communities, political and cultural life of Montenegro and the region.

Source: Metropolitanate of  Montenegro and the Littoral