The traditional spiritual and cultural event "Days of Saint Basil of Ostrog", which began on May 7 and is organized by the Diocese of Budamiljansko-Nikšić and the Church Municipality of Nikšić, ended with a solemn liturgy, which was preceded this morning by the holy bishop's liturgy, and this year, for the first time, they road, joined by the Municipality of Nikšić.
The liturgy was attended by the winner of Izviiskra Njegoševa, Miroslav Tešić, and the president of Nikšić Municipality, Marko Kovačević, who broke the celebratory cake.
During the liturgy, Justin Stanišić, the son of priest Krsto Stanišić, who is a native of Nikšić and who serves in the Netherlands, was baptized.
The liturgy, which has been held in Nikšić since 1996 and was attended by thousands of citizens from the country and the region, and which is probably one of the most numerous so far, was led by the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Porfirije, the Metropolitans of Montenegro and the Littoral (MCP ) Joanikije and Nektarije of Corfu, Bishop Metodije of Budimlja-Nikšić, a large number of bishops, numerous archbishops, clergy and monks.
Also present were the leaders of the local administration, the presidents of the Municipality and the Municipal Assembly, Marko Kovačević and Nemanja Vuković and their associates, as well as the presidents of certain municipalities, both from Montenegro and from the region.
Former Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić, former Minister Jakov Milatović, as well as Democratic Front (DF) officials Andrija Mandić and Milan Knežević and Democratic Party official Momo Koprivica were also present at the procession.
Bishop Metodije of Budamiljansko-Nikšići welcomed Patriarch Porfirij, who said that he has been in Montenegro for the past four days and that he is following the "traces of the roots that St. Sava planted in our nation".
"Looking at your love, faith, longing for truth and freedom, we are not only encouraged, but you also gave us the task that we must not deviate from the path of Christ and that we must never betray Saint Basil and Saint Sava, but also many martyrs who decided for Christ. Coming to this beautiful country of Montenegro and to Saint Basil, it is clear to us that the Orthodox Serbian people of Svetosava are once and for all committed to holiness and concord," said the Serbian patriarch.
As he said, people are lost in the world of egoism, only what is successful is measured, and whether people are alone and lonely becomes a problem.
"Christian love is what unites us with others. When we love each other, we also know who we are. We need to understand others, because when we understand them, we fulfill the commandment of God. Love turns enemies into friends. There is no peace if there is no peace with God and if we do not forgive each other. When we reconcile with God, we also reconcile with each other," said the patriarch.
After his speech, the gathered faithful went to the Cathedral, where the liturgy started.
Vasilije Ostroški (Jovanović), who was given the name Stojan at birth, was born in 1610 in the village of Mrkonjići, in Herzegovina. He was educated in the Zavali monastery, from where he moved to Tvrdoš, where he became a monk. He came to the Ostrog monastery after the destruction of the Tvrdoš monastery where he lived and worked as an archbishop. He became the Metropolitan of Herzegovina in 1639. He died in 1671 and was declared a saint.
This year's holiday is special because it marks a great jubilee that could not be celebrated last year due to the difficult epidemiological situation - 350 years since the death of St. Vasilija.
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