On June 1-4, 2024, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Vicar of the Svyato-Trinity Sergiev Lavra Bishop Kirill of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov took part in the jubilee celebrations in memory of the Monk Justin (Popovich), as well as on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Metropolitan Ioannikije of Montenegro and Primorye (Serbian Orthodox Church), according to the Lavra's website.
Metropolitan Ioannikije of Montenegro and Primorye (Serbian Orthodox Church).
After arriving in Montenegro, Bishop Kirill visited the Ostrog Monastery and venerated the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog.
Bishop Kirill visited the monastery of Ostrog and venerated the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog.
On June 2, official events began. They were attended by the bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Hrizostom of Dabrobosan, Bishop Siluan of Australia and New Zealand, Bishop Afanasije of Milesevo, Bishop Theodosije of Raško-Prizren, Bishop Isihije of Valjevo, Bishop Dimitrij of Zahum-Herzegovina and Primorye, Bishop Methodije of Budimljansko-Nikšić, Protosyngel Paisije elected as vicar bishop of Diokleia, as well as clergy, monastics and laity.
On the day of the memory of St. Stephen of Piper — Bishop Kirill served Metropolitan Ioannikije at the monastery of Celija Piperska, where the saint's relics rest. After the service, Metropolitan Ioannikije thanked Bishop Kirill for the joint prayer and for coming to Montenegro to share the joy of this important feast with the Serbian Church.
On the same day, in the crypt of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica, solemn events were held in honor of the 130th anniversary of the birth, 45th anniversary of the repose and 10th anniversary of the discovery of the holy relics of St. Justin (Popovic), as well as the 25th anniversary of Metropolitan Ioannikije's episcopal ministry.
Bishop Kirill delivered a welcoming address. In his address, the Vladyka recalled the precepts of the Monk Justin (Popovich) about the unity of the Slavic peoples in witnessing to Christ, about the sobornost of the Orthodox Church and the need for living fellowship with one another, and also emphasized the scope of the saint's labors: «Venerable Justin only because of political events could not finish his course of study at the Theological Academy in St. Petersburg. Both the St. Petersburg Theological Academy and the Moscow Theological Academy have already defended several works on the theology of the Venerable Justin. I think that the number of such works will grow, because that the legacy of this saint is truly immense.
On June 3, the anniversary of Metropolitan Ioannikije of Montenegro and Primorsky Krai's diocese, on the day of commemoration of the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles King Constantine and his mother Queen Helen, a cathedral Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica. After the service, Metropolitan Ioannikij thanked the co-serving archpastors and clergy for the joint prayer, wishing joy and God's help to all. He also gave a special welcome to Bishop Kirill.
On June 4, Bishop Kyrill served Metropolitan Ioannikios at the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of Martyr John-Vladimir in the city of Bar. On this day the Church honored the memory of Martyr John-Vladimir, Prince of Serbia. The saint ruled in Montenegro in the 10th century and is considered the heavenly patron saint of the city of Bar.
At the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Kirill addressed the prayers with words of greeting. Vladyka emphasized that the centuries-long communication between the Russian and Serbian peoples and spiritual unity — this is a great blessing of God. He also noted that the lives of St. John-Vladimir and the Blessed Princes-Passion Bearers Boris and Gleb are similar: «Both John-Vladimir and the brothers Boris and Gleb suffered from envy, but the highest manifestation of the greatest strength and wisdom — to overcome evil with good»
In the evening of the same day, Vladyka Kirill served Metropolitan Ioannicius at the evening service and took part in the nationwide procession that followed. The prayer procession took place within the framework of the events of the Days of St. John-Vladimir — it gathered residents of the city and believers from different parts of Montenegro.
EVCS Communication Service/Patriarchy.ru
