Abbot Metodije visited Monastery of St. Paisius

Visit of His Grace Bishop Maxim with his honored guest, Abbot Metodije of Hilandar Monastery

With joy the sisterhood--headed by Abbess Michaila and the priests of the Monastery, Archimandrite Dorotheos and Protopriest David--awaited the arrival of His Grace and his honored guests at the pathway leading to the Catholicon. Before beginning the procession to the Catholicon, Abbot Metodije (at His Grace’s request) was clothed in a brightly colored mandiya, as is customary for those of his rank. Then began a formal procession into the Catholicon, and the Abbot and our Bishop ascended their thrones, where everyone came and received a blessing.  A litany was offered, and the choir of sisters chanted the “Polychronion” to Abbot Metodije, who shared with the Sisters very moving words, about how the atmosphere of the monastery church was such a beautiful echo of the Holy Mountain, and how the Mother of God’s presence was so apparent.

Afterward, we briefly showed our guests (including Monk Damaskin and also the respected  Mr. Milivoj Randic) the two side chapels of the Catholicon (the one dedicated to St. Paisius, and the other to Sts. Nikolai Velimirovic and John of San Francisco), and then offered them time for much-needed rest in their quarters.

In the early evening, we gathered for Vespers, with Abbot Metodije serving and Bishop Maxim presiding. After Vespers we invited our guests to a pleasant reception in one of the completed sections of the Sisters’ new konak (one quarter of the building is yet to be completed). We had much to share amongst ourselves, about our Monastery and the Monastery of HIlandar.

We presented a draft of the soon-to-be-published  Akathist to the Milkgiver, translated from the text published by Hilandar Monastery. Abbot Metodije graciously accepted our request for him to write the Foreword for our English language publication. Mr. Milovoj was genuinely uplifted by seeing the photographic chronology of the building of our monastery—from bleak desert barrenness to a spiritual garden.  Our guests from Serbia especially enjoyed the Sisters’ handcrafted Prickly Pear Cactus wine.

Everyone then partook of a common meal together in the Monastery trapeza, with a reading on prayer on the Holy Mountain. Afterward, Abbot Metodije spoke with the Sisters and guests (through the gracious translation of Bishop Maxim) on various spiritual topics of interest to all. As he shared with us from his experience on the Holy Mountain we were encouraged and strengthened by receiving the gift of a personal spiritual link with him as the abbot of Serbia’s foundational monastery on the Holy Mountain.

The next morning, during Orthros, Bishop Maxim entered the church in order to say farewell to his guests, and to bless each of the Sisters before departing for an early flight. At the conclusion of Orthros, Abbot Metodije prayerfully served the Holy Liturgy, assisted by Fr. Dragomir Tuba and the two Monastery priests.

The trapeza meal following the Liturgy included a festive Service of the Lifting of the Panagia, which is customary in monasteries on significant days. After the meal, we visited the St. Anastasija Chapel and then gave a warm farewell to our guests as they departed to St. Anthony’s Greek Monastery.

Source: westsrbdio.org