Christmas celebrated in Hilandar

The Feast of the Nativity of Christ was celebrated solemnly and prayerfully in the Holy Imperial Serbian Lavra of Hilandar.

The service in Hilandar began with an all-night vigil and concluded with the Holy Liturgy, presided over by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Metodije.

On Christmas Eve, shortly before the all-night vigil, the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, arrived at the monastery accompanied by Nenad Popović, Minister without Portfolio responsible for international economic cooperation and social position of the church in the country and abroad. President Aleksandar Vučić attended the Holy Liturgy, during which he recited The Creed (The Symbol of Faith) and The Lord’s Prayer.

Celebrating the Feast of the Nativity of the Christ Child, many pilgrims from Serbia and other countries shared spiritual joy with the brotherhood of Hilandar. After the Holy Liturgy, a festive meal was served in the monastery refectory.

During President Aleksandar Vučić’s visit to Hilandar, a brief working meeting was held to discuss ongoing monastery restoration projects. It was concluded that the Igumenaria building would be completed by the end of 2025 as the final segment of the restoration of the burnt part of the monastery. There was also discussion about starting a massive project to build a treasury and depot of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar this year.

Photo: monk Milutin Hilandarac