Abbot Methodius on Corfu 110 Years After the Albanian Golgotha (Great Retreat)
The Very Reverend Archimandrite Methodius, Abbot of the Holy Imperial Serbian Lavra of Hilandar on Mount Athos, together with his delegation, visited Corfu as part of the event ‘Serbian Days on Corfu’ on May 2–3, 2026, organized by the Orthodox Sports Association ‘Holy Serbia’ and the Corfu Greek-Serbian Friendship Society.
With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxos, and the Diapontian Islands, the Divine Hierarchical Liturgy was served on the island of Vido on Saturday, May 2, 2026. It was presided over by His Grace Bishop Pajsije of Dioclea, Vicar to His Eminence the Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Joanikije, concelebrated by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Gerasim, a monk of Hilandar, as well as monks and clergy from Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece. Members of the Hilandar choir, ‘Saint Simeon the Myrrh-flowing,’ enhanced the beauty of the service.
For the third consecutive year, the clergy served the Divine Hierarchical Liturgy on the shore of the ‘Blue Tomb’—the place of great suffering of the Serbian army after the Albanian Golgotha and the disembarkation on the island of Corfu, which took place 110 years ago. With the blessing of Metropolitan Nektarios and the support of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar, as well as the dedicated efforts of the Corfu Greek-Serbian Friendship Society and the association ‘Holy Serbia,’ the serving of the Divine Hierarchical Liturgy has become an established liturgical tradition on the island of Serbian martyrs.
The following day, on the feast of Saint Bishop Nikolaj (Velimirović), the Divine Hierarchical Liturgy was served in the Church of Saint Spyridon on Corfu. The service was presided over by Bishop Pajsije, with the concelebration of His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios, Archimandrite Methodius, Abbot of Hilandar Monastery, the brethren of Hilandar, and clergy from Greece, Serbia, and Montenegro.
Abbot Methodius also attended a ceremonial concert opened by the Hilandar chanters. Alongside numerous performers, the program included students of the ‘Mathematical Grammar School’ from Belgrade, who traveled to Corfu with the support of the Hilandar Monastery as part of the youth initiative ‘Hilandar Lighthouse.’
Photo by: Milan Lakić
