Berane: The Day of the Diocese of Budimljansko Nikšić was marked by a gathering of cars near the monastery "Đurđevi stupovi"

Hundreds of cars, after a car procession through the city streets, gathered tonight at the Đurđevi stupovi monastery in Berane to mark the Day of the Diocese of Budimlja Nikšić and the 807th anniversary of the construction of this monastery.

Earlier today, with a prayer and the breaking of a slavonic cake, the Episcopate of Budimljansko-Niššić celebrated the feast of St. Mary Magdalene - Blessed Mary, the glory of this diocese.

Bishop Joanikije of Buda-Nikšić with the clergy served the Holy Bishop's Liturgy in the Cathedral Monastery of the Eparchy - Đurđevi Stupovi.

Joanikije said that the local people are restoring the sanctuaries.

He assessed that the restoration of the Bishopric meant a lot for the people.

"Then our people gathered around their priests, around the shrines, and that's why a great restoration took place. We hope that it was not just a renovation in the construction sense. Over 65 new churches were started, most of them were completed and consecrated. We should not brag, but we should know what happened. Over 30 old sanctuaries have been restored or started to be restored, most of them from the ground up. It is much more important to renew ourselves spiritually and unite around Christ, to renew ourselves with the Spirit of God, with God's truth, love and justice. That has started and, thank God, we see the great devotion of our people to their holy places and religion, and that means to their ancestors and their descendants," said Bishop Janikije.

He also referred to the current situation regarding the Law on Freedom of Religion, saying that the church and religion must be free.

"God will allow the trials we suffer today to pass, you are all witnesses and you all fought to preserve the Holy Places, not to interfere with their identity, not to enslave our Holy Places, because they are dedicated to God and must be free. And faith must be free. And the Church must be free. Only when there is free faith is it true faith, and faith has freedom in Christ even when it is in slavery," he added.

Bishop Joanikije called for reconciliation and living in harmony.

"Happy today's holiday to everyone, we celebrate it in specific circumstances, at a time of great pressure on the Church from the authorities of Montenegro. That virus is more dangerous than the one that is raging, not only in Montenegro, but much wider. We hope that we will fight and stand our ground and that the name of God will be glorified through His people in these times, but let's not rejoice if we defeat those who persecute us. These are our brothers, we want to reconcile with them and live in love, justice and truth, and not to suffer terror from each other, God forbid," said Joanikije.