Prayer meeting in St Sava Cathedral

At the St Sava Memorial Cathedral in Vrachar on Sunday His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral served the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno, vicar of Patriarch Pavle. The Holy Liturgy was attended by graduates of 129. and 130. class of the Military Academy, who have expressed a desire to give thanks to God for a successful end of studies by spiritual celebrations and uniting with the Body of Christ. They were led by Brigadier General Mladen Vuruna, PhD. Junior cadets and pupils of the Military High school with their principals and professors also joined their senior colleagues.

His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije in his homily greeted new officers of the Serbian Army, reminding them of gospel messages on boundless love, which is approved by promptness for a sacrifice of giving life.

During the Holy Liturgy Metropolitan ordained to a rank of presbyter deacon Jovan Babic, catechist in the Military High School and assistant at the Military Academy. Protopresbyter Ilija Shmigic was awarded by a right to wear a pectoral cross.

After the Liturgy on behalf of the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the SOC, His Eminence Metropolitan awarded the former Head of the Military Academy, Major General Mr Vidosav Kovachevic for the all effort for adjusting a religious life at the Military Academy and for the unselfish commitment in educational work with his military personnel, based on the fundamentals of Christian values.

General Kovacevic pointed out that the award he had received belonged to all his coworkers and students, as well to his family and that he was so happy for the effort of two great state institutions paid off.

On behalf of the monastery of Hilandar, hierodeacon Dositej gave a speech to the present, pointing out a symbolism of the fact that members of the Serbian Army were at the spot where the relics of St Sava had been burnt. 

Bishop Atanasije  congratulated to new second lieutenants their first rank and General Kovacevic for his medal, emphasizing that a Board for cathetism of the Archbishopric of Belgrade and Karlovac would strive in future to enable all interested members of the Military Academy and the Military High School a discovery of spiritual peace under the auspices of the Church.

This cheerful event under the domes of the Cathedral, dedicated to the greatest Serbian saint, gathered soldiers and priests and lots of faithful people which stood by its Army overjoyed, prayerfully led by its Hierarchs.