A monument to the late Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Amfilohije Radović, was unveiled today in the courtyard of the Church of Saint Dimitrije in Kolašin.
The erection of the monument is an initiative of the former mayor of Kolašin, Vladimir Martinović, for which 50.000 euros were allocated from the local budget in 2023.
The monument was consecrated by Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral, and the ceremony was addressed by the Mayor of the Municipality of Kolašin, Petko Bakić, and Serbian writer Matija Bećković.
"Before us is not just a monument, but a reminder of the measure of a man for whom silence was a companion, and words were a comfort to the blessedly departed Metropolitan Amfilohije... His work has visible and invisible fruits. They are visible in the renovated and newly built churches and monasteries throughout Montenegro, in the temple in Bar, in the Podgorica temple that stands above the city like a ship of hope, in the renovated Cetinje Seminary, where the notes of new priestly voices are born, to the altars on which the hearts of the people are healed," said Bakić.
The late metropolitan, in his words, "was strict when necessary, but always as just as a man can be when relying on heaven."
As Bakić said, "for years of hard noise, he stood in front of people with a cross and a word; he demanded that sacred things, freedom of conscience and the dignity of every human being be respected."
"In a world that quickly forgets, be those who remember. Who remember the man who, with a cross in his hand and a prayer on his lips, led the processions, defended and defended the holy places. If you ever doubt where to go, come here - stop, cross yourself, listen to the silence and you will remember the path. Blessedly departed Metropolitan Amfilohije, our child of Morača and Kolašin - thank you for the restored holy places and bridges between people; for the word that nourished even when it was scarce; for the courage that was not a shout, but a quiet decision of good. If we ever stray, gently admonish us: if we hesitate, encourage us quietly; if we falter, lift us up with prayer," said the Mayor of the Municipality of Kolašin.
According to Bećković, Radović is the first clergyman to have a monument erected in Kolašin.
He recalled the biographical information about Radović's secular and spiritual life.
The late metropolitan, the writer said, "hardened in the furnace and grew into a supporting pillar of the Church of Christ."
"Rejoice, Kolašin, the day has come for you to rejoice too. The fairy who called the fairy across Kom and asked, 'Have you seen the city of Kolašin, how the heads adorned it?' can call her today and tell her that Metropolitan Amfilohije Radović adorned and illuminated Kolašin, after he moistened, reconciled, intoxicated and buried all those heads... Anyone who has not believed in miracles until now can start today," said, among other things, Bećković.
The ceremony was attended, among others, by the President of the Assembly Andrija Mandić, the President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačevič, the President of the Municipal Assembly (MA) of Kolašin, Vasilije Bulatović, and the Vice-Presidents of the Municipality Vasilije Ivanović and Miodrag Bulatović, the former President of the Municipality of Martinović...
Metropolitan Joanikije awarded Matija Bećković with the highest award of the Metropolitanate
Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral today awarded, as he said, the highest decoration of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral to academician and writer Matija Bećković.
This is the Order of Saint Peter II, the Lovćen Seer, first degree.
Bećković was awarded, as announced, "for a new impetus to Serbian poetry and the constant struggle to preserve the Kosovo and Njegoš Vows."
"The greatest honor for our Matija Bećković is that the Serbian people in Montenegro memorize him. He entered every house, and in that respect, after Njegoš, no other poet has managed to enter every Serbian house. We have decided, not only because of his poetry, but also because he participated as a poet and in every other way in the spiritual renewal of Montenegro, and especially because he delivered a speech at the funeral of the blessedly departed Metropolitan Amfilohije, and especially today because he delivered this speech at this great ceremony, during the consecration of the Metropolitan's monument, to honor him with the highest recognition of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral," said Joanikije.
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