Hilandar Days in Mrkonjić Grad, The Republic of Srpska
The event Hilandar Days in Mrkonjić Grad took place on August 3 and 4, under the blessing of His Grace Bishop Sergije of Bihać and Petrovac, and with the generous support of Mr. Mladen Milanović and his family.
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Sava in Mrkonjić Grad
The first day of the event commenced with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Sava in Mrkonjić Grad.
His Grace Bishop Damaskin of Mohač, Vicar to His Eminence Irinej, Archbishop of Novi Sad and Metropolitan of Bačka, presided over the Divine Liturgy. His Grace Bishop Sergije of Bihać and Petrovac, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Metodije, Abbot of Hilandar Monastery, clergy and monastics of the Diocese of Bihać and Petrovac, and Hierodeacon Hariton Hilandarac also participated in the Feast
Following the reading of the Holy Gospel, Abbot Metodije delivered a homily to the multitude of faithful gathered.
Concert of Spiritual and Traditional Music
In the evening of the first day of the event, a concert of spiritual and traditional music was held in the Great Hall of the Cultural-Sports Center “Petar Kočić” in Mrkonjić Grad.
The concert was opened with an address by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Metodije, Abbot of Hilandar Monastery, upon which a large audience enjoyed performances by artists from Serbia, The Republic of Srpska, and Montenegro, including Ana Ivanović from Belgrade, Maksim Vojvodić from Podgorica, and Anđela Kulić from Zvornik, accompanied by the orchestra of the Ljuština Studio.
Lecture by Abbot Methodios and Exhibition of Photographs by Monk Milutin of Hilandar in the Cultural-Sports Center “Petar Kočić”
The event concluded on August 4 with a lecture delivered by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Methodije and the opening of an exhibition of original photographs by Monk Milutin of Hilandar. The lecture and exchibition took place in the Cultural-Sports Center “Petar Kočić”.
Visitors had the opportunity to hear a thoughtful lecture on the ever-relevant theme: “I Await the Resurrection of the Dead and the Life of the Age to Come.” Following the lecture, attendees viewed the exhibition titled “Through the Camera Lens of a Hilandar Monk.”
The closing day was also honored by the presence of His Grace Bishop Damaskin of Mohač, Vicar to His Eminence Irinej of Bačka.
A Jubilee Year
This year’s Hilandar Days in Mrkonjić Grad were held in honor of a significant jubilee — 850 years since the birth of Saint Sava, founder of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar and heavenly protector of the Church of Saint Sava in Mrkonjić Grad.
