Ostrog, May 19, 2024
Metropolitan Varsonofiy of St. Petersburg and Ladoga celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Ostrog Monastery on May 17. The monastery is named in honor of St. Basil of Ostrog (+1679), one of the most revered saints in the Serbian Church.
The service was held in the rock church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was the saint's cell during his lifetime.
His Eminence was served by the Secretary of the Montenegrin-Primorsky Metropolis Archpriest Ostoya Knezhevich, Priest Pavel Ermoshkin, the clergy of the monastery. At the entrance to the monastery guests were welcomed by the hegumen - Archimandrite Sergius with the brethren.
At the worship service His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, His Holiness Patriarch Porfiry of Serbia, Metropolitans Barsonofiy and Ioannikiy.
Vladyka Varsonofiy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the great Easter joy with the brothers in faith.
He laid his hands on the relics of St. Basil of Ostrog.
The pilgrims also visited the Piper Monastery where, accompanied by Hegumen Elena, they laid their hands on the relics of St. Stephen of Piper. During a tea party on the veranda, the Metropolitan talked with the sisters about spiritual life.
Then there was a visit to the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica. The guests were welcomed by the rector Archpriest Nicholas. The Cathedral was consecrated in 2013 with the participation of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. While singing the verses of Easter, the pilgrims prayed at the revered shrines, laid their hands on the tomb of Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro-Primorie, who died in 2020.
According to Serbian church tradition, Vladyka Varsonofije made a record of his visit on the front of the cruciform liturgical Gospel.
The Metropolitan also spoke with Russian Ambassador to Montenegro Vladislav Maslennikov.
