The Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos and 35th anniversary of the Restoration of cenobitic monasticism celebrated at Hilandar

Today, on the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Hilandar Monastery solemnly marked the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the cenobitic monasticism, following nearly two centuries of idiorrhythmic monastic life.

On this occasion, the brethren of Hilandar prayerfully commemorated this historic milestone, joined by guests from Serbia, Montenegro, and fellow monasteries across Mount Athos.

The celebration was graced by numerous guests, including His Grace Bishop Tihon of Moravica, Vicar and delegate of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije; the abbots of Sukovo Monastery (Fr. Seraphim), Kovilj Monastery (Fr. Hariton), and Podmaine Monastery (Fr. Raphael); Hieromonk Silouan of the Athonite Monastery of Gregoriou; as well as monks from Visoki Dečani, Ostrog, and St. Roman Monastery. Most of the guests arrived at Hilandar on Saturday, October 11.

The service began with an all-night vigil in honor of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Abbess of Hilandar Monastery. This year’s vigil was especially festive, enriched by the presence of hierarchs and monastics from some of the most prominent monasteries of Serbian Orthodox Church. The night service ended with the Divine Hierarchical Liturgy, celebrated in Hilandar’s cathedral church and presided over by His Grace Bishop Tihon.

Following the Liturgy, the festive wheat offering (koljivo), adorned with the image of the Theotokos, was blessed. A celebratory meal was then served to all present in the monastery’s refectory.

Photo by: Monk Milutin Hilandarac