Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
September 22, 2005

CELEBRATION OF PATRONAL FEAST
OF ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL IN ZEMUN

On Wednesday, 8/21 September of the current year, on the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the church in Zemun dedicated to the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos (Mala Gospojina) with the concelebration of His Eminence Archbishop Auhustyn of Lviv and Halych and His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa, seven presbyters and five deacons. After blessing the slava wheat and cake, Patriarch Pavle warmly welcomed the high guest from the Ukraine Orthodox Church, an autonomous Church under the canonical wing of the Moscow Patriarchate, at the same time wishing a happy patronal feast to the brotherhood of the church and the faithful of Zemun and the surrounding area in attendance, wishing everyone a wealth of the Lord’s blessings, peace and love.

The church of the Theotokos in Zemun this year celebrates the 225th anniversary of its existence. There is only one church in Zemun that is older. On this occasion the elder of the church, Protopresbyter Bozo Bakajlic, presented the guests with small gifts commemorating the anniversary.

CONSECRATION OF FRESCOES IN MONASTERY
OF THE HOLY ARCHANGEL MICHAEL IN PODMALINSKO

His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije and His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic serve Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael in the village of Podmalinsko near Savnik on the occasion of the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.

“We have gathered in this ancient Holy Shrine built by the Nemanjic dynasty to celebrate the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the nativity of Her who gave birth to and gave us the gift of God, the nativity of the Most Holy Virgin, the Mother of God and the Mother of us all, who unites the created and the uncreated. By Her birth She joined heaven and earth, divine and human nature, God and man, that which is transient and real with that which is eternal and immortal,” said Metropolitan Amfilohije in his homily.

“She who by Her birth poured the yeast of eternal life into our human nature, so that thanks to her birth and Him to whom She gave birth we have been gifted with this yeast of life, and we became immortal and intransient beings. Immortality is within us; we are called to it, to eternity, to eternal life, to intransigence. Her birth is a miracle because it was in fact a preparation for Her to become the habitation of the glory and wisdom of God and Him who is Wisdom, God’s only Son. Thanks to Her birth, our own birth gains its eternal, immortal and intransigent purpose and meaning,” emphasized Metropolitan Amfilohije.

On yesterday’s feast the frescoes of the monastery in Podmalinsko were consecrated. The frescoes are the work of Hierodeacon Lazar (Stojkovic) who on this occasion was elevated to the office of hieromonk.

Bishop Joanikije presented Sava Kujundzic, the patron-restorer of this holy shrine with the Order of St. Sava of the first degree. Mr. Kujundzic is a night of the Order of St. Sergei Radonesky (the bearer of all three degree of the highest award of the Russian Orthodox Church) and the bearer of the Order of St. Daniel of Moscow (of the second and third degrees). On behalf of Mr. Kujundzic, who resides in Russia, his brother, Vanja Kujundzic, accepted the award.

“We are all happy by the restored church, the residence quarters and the bell tower from which the holy bells in the monastery of Podmalinsko have rung but the most wonderful and God-pleasing thing is that the people have been restored and this great assembly of Podmalinsko, Durmitor and Drobnjak of the Orthodox Church,” said Bishop Joanikije.

Source: Svetigora Press, S.C./S.K. and www.teofil.cg.yu

NATIVITY OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS IN CITSTA MALA

On the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos His Grace Bishop Fotije of Dalmatia served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in Cista Mala.

After Holy Liturgy Bishop Fotije spoke with Serb returnees to Cista Mala about the problems they face following their return and the restoration of their destroyed homes. The Serbs of Cista Mala said that an especially great problem is that their village still does not have municipal water lines, and that all appeals to relevant state institutions regarding this problem have been unsuccessful thus far.

Source: www.eparhija-dalmatinska.hr

BISHOP JOVAN OF DIOCLEA SERVES IN UBLE

His Grace Bishop Jovan of Dioclea served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in Uble near Herceg Novi yesterday on the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the patronal feast of the restored church there. In addition to local residents of Uble and the choir of the St. Peter of Cetinje Seminary, which sang during the Liturgy, a large number of faithful as well as the leadership of the municipality of Herceg Novi also attended the service in the church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Uble.

Source: Svetigora Press, Z.K./S.K.

[Serbian Translation Services]