Prayerful Reception of the Faithful Copy of the Icon of the Three-Handed Theotokos in Vienna

With the blessing of His Eminence, the Archbishop of Novi Sad and Metropolitan of Bačka Irinej, Administrator of the Austrian Diocese, a faithful copy of the wonderworking Hilandar icon of the Most Holy Three-Handed Theotokos was brought from the Holy Imperial Serbian Lavra of Hilandar on Mount Athos to the Cathedral Church of Saint Sava in Vienna on January 17, 2026, for permanent safekeeping.

The holy icon was brought by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Methodius, the Abbot of Hilandar Monastery, accompanied by two Hilandar monks, Fathers Damaskin and Toma. Immediately after the reception and solemn entry of the icon into the church, the Vicar Bishop of Metropolitan Irinej, His Grace Bishop Damaskin of Mohács, presided over the festive Vespers service, concelebrated by Abbot Methodius, the priests, and deacons of the Austrian Diocese and the Diocese of Bačka of the SOC.

The event was prayerfully attended by His Grace Bishop of Osijek-Baranja Heruvim, representatives of religious communities, diplomatic corps, state and city authorities, members of Vienna’s cultural and artistic circles, as well as many faithful who reverently approached and—after making prostrations—venerated and approached the icon of the Most Holy Three-Handed Theotokos.

Exhibition of Original Photographs by Monk Milutin Hilandarac in Albert Hall

On Friday, January 16, the day before the arrival and entry of the icon’s copy into the Church of Saint Sava in Vienna, an exhibition of photographs by Monk Milutin Hilandarac titled ‘Through the Lens of a Hilandar Monk’ was opened in Albert Hall in the same city. The Austrian Diocese and the Parish Council of the Church of Saint Sava in Vienna organized the event.

With the blessing and at the invitation of His Eminence Metropolitan Irinej, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Methodius, the Abbot of the Holy Imperial Serbian Lavra of Hilandar on Mount Athos, formally opened the event. Hilandar monks, Fathers Damaskin and Toma, accompanied him.

His Grace Bishop Damaskin of Mohács, Vicar of Metropolitan Irinej, delivered the words of welcome. Mr. Marko Romić, Chairman of the Hilandar Commission of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, also addressed the audience.

Among those present were His Grace Bishop of Osijek-Baranja Heruvim, Protosyngel Hariton, the Abbot of the Holy Archangels Monastery in Kovilj, Minister of Trade and Tourism of the Republic of Srpska Mr. Denis Šulić, Serbian Ambassador to Austria Mr. Marko Blagojević, Serbian Ambassador to the OSCE in Austria Mr. Žarko Obradović, Head of the Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Srpska in Austria Mr. Mladen Filipović, clergy of the Austrian Diocese, and many distinguished guests.

The Hilandar monks’ stay in Vienna and the presentation of 40 original photographs inspired by Hilandar’s monastic life drew great interest. The event gave visitors the chance to experience the centuries‑old spirituality of Mount Athos through images and words.