Under the rocks of Ostrož, on this May 12th, the usual images - the plateau in front of the church overflowing with tents, sleeping bags and blankets of those who had come on foot, by bus or car the previous evening to attend the evening service.
Thousands of believers from Montenegro, the region, and beyond arrived to celebrate the feast of Saint Basil of Ostrog.
Many have walked dozens, even hundreds of kilometers, like Nemanja Sirar, a young man from the village of Čestereg in the municipality of Žitište, Serbia, who set off on a 20-kilometer pilgrimage on Easter, April 600, with the aim of raising funds for the treatment of seven-year-old girl Tara Stojančev, who has severe bilateral hearing loss.
"I set off for Easter and it was interesting and challenging. There was a storm, I heard wolves, but most importantly, I met a lot of good people and the journey was not difficult for me," said the 25-year-old Sirar, who runs half marathons, marathons and ultramarathons recreationally and is recognized as a great humanist.
Three years ago, he ran 230 kilometers to the Tumane Monastery to raise funds for the treatment of the boy Ognjen Žužić, and he intends to walk to Hilandar in two or three years.
A large number of pilgrims, traditionally, arrived from Herzegovina. From Bileća, they set off on an organized 14-kilometer journey for the 90th time and, as they said, this year the number of pilgrims was the largest so far. They were joined by pilgrims from other cities in Herzegovina, as well as from Serbia, Germany and France. They joined the pilgrims who set off from the Kosijerevo Monastery, and with them was Tijana Bošković, the best volleyball player in the world.
The Citizens' Association "St. Basil of Ostroški" from Sokolac organized the 16th pilgrimage, and 230 believers set off on the 33-kilometer journey.
Pilgrims from Romanija who, as in previous years, set out on St. George's Day, May 6th, were joined by devotees from several neighboring towns, and arrived in Ostrog in six days.
Boško Bubanja from Berane set off on foot from Berane on May 8th with six friends.
"We covered about 150 kilometers. Of the seven of us, this is only one of them, this is not the first pilgrimage. The rest of us are walking for the first time. There are blisters, and our legs hurt, but everything is forgotten when you know where you are going. It wasn't even difficult for us to carry the cross," said Bubanja.
Gojko Lalović from Đurđevića Tara, Pljevlja Municipality, said that due to his health and age, he could not walk, but he asked the bus driver to stop for him ten kilometers before Ostrog.
"I walked those ten kilometers. It wasn't difficult for me. I came alone, although when you come to St. Basil's you don't need company. Just will and faith," said Lalović.
Svetlana Selimović from Bijelo Polje came with her family. As she said, they come every year, and that will continue to be the case in the future.
"We come to pray for health and always spend the night here. It rained last night, but nothing terrible. It's warm around the heart," said Selimović.
After the central liturgy, which is served on the plateau in front of the Upper Monastery by Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral and Metropolitan Jerome of Calabria and Aegialia of the Athens Archbishopric, with numerous clergy and monks, and in the presence of a large number of bishops, the Metropolitan will address the gathering.
Members of the Belgrade male choir and students of the "St. Peter of Cetinje" Seminary from Cetinje participate in the liturgy with singing.
The president of the Nikšić Municipal Council, Nemanja Vuković, and the famous basketball player Dejan Bodiroga are present.
One-year-old Vasilije Adžić from Nikšić was baptized in front of the monastery.
Last night, an akathist to Saint Basil was read in the Church of the Presentation of the Most Holy Theotokos in the Upper Monastery, while at midnight, a liturgy was served in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, also in the Upper Monastery.
Bonus video:
