Zlatesh – a new monastery of the Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic, the church of St. Prophet Elijah in a village of Tomashevo near Bijelo Polje, was transformed into a monastery, and for the heugomen of this holy place hieromonk Epifanije Vuckovic was chosen. 

In the evening of the feast day of St. Elijah the vesper service in this church was served by protopresbyter-staurophor Mirash Bogavac. The service was attended by His Grace Bishop Joanikije, who held a sermon to the gathered faithful in which he said that the old parish church in Tomashevo, now was transformed into a monastery, which would bear a name Zlatesh, as the Vranes valley used to be called once.

The church slava in Zlatesh, on the feast day of St. Prophet Elijah, was celebrated with prayerful assembly of faithful people. The Holy Liturgy was served, which was led by presbyter Zoran Bubanja, and citizens of Tomashevo, after the service,  stayed to talk with a newly-appointed heugomen and the priesthood.

With everyday church service and liturgies on Sunday and on all greatest holidays the monastery Zlatesh, which was consecrated in the 1920s of the last century by Serbian Patriarch Varnava, will contribute to the revival of the liturgical and spiritual life of this region.

His Grace Bishop Joanikije blessed also a restoration of the Sokolac monastery, which was destroyed by the Turkish invaders probably at the end of 19th century.

Source: Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic