His Eminence, the Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Joanikije, officiated the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy today at the Morača Monastery.
Following the Holy Liturgy, the Council of People’s Assemblies of Montenegro marked the 27th anniversary of its founding.
Metropolitan Joanikije delivered a sermon after the dismissal, and subsequently presented the Order of Saint Sava (Second Class) to the writer Budimir Dubak.
The Metropolitan emphasized that whatever our Lord Jesus Christ touches acquires eternal value; in this context, he noted that when we recall events and figures from the past, we bring them into the present.
Metropolitan Joanikije recalled that it was at the Morača Monastery, 27 years ago—during a period of great trials that preceded even greater challenges (a time when the Serbian language and the Serbian Orthodox Church were under threat)—that the Council of People’s Assemblies received a blessing for its work. "I must say that the councils of the people’s assemblies—the tribes of Montenegro—and the many individuals who took part in them, played an exceptionally significant role. Something stirred from the very soul of the entire nation: a resolve not to surrender our identity, our holy sites, and our monasteries to the godless, to blasphemers, or to any secular authority. For these holy sites are dedicated to the living and true God; they hold value only when they serve God and our salvation. Every state ought to recognize these values ​​and grant full freedom of religion—a freedom that we, as Orthodox Christians, have cherished throughout our entire history.
The Holy Apostles said: 'We must obey God rather than men.' This does not mean that the Church fails to respect civil authority, the state order, or the laws of the land. In fact, we always emphasize the importance of respecting laws—above all, those that come from God: 'Love the Lord,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not kill,' 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not bear false witness.' Yet, the Lord Jesus Christ revealed the true fullness of all these commandments: love for God and for one’s neighbor. He Himself bore witness to this by offering Himself as a sacrifice for the salvation of the world—ascending Golgotha, enduring suffering and crucifixion, and accepting death for our sake and for our salvation," concluded His Eminence, the Archbishop of Cetinje. Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Joanikije
Speaking further about the activities of the Council of People’s Assemblies, His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije noted that many prominent figures were involved in its work—among them Vidak Radević, whom we bid farewell today as he departs into the embrace of God.
Subsequently, His Eminence presented the Order of Saint Sava (Second Class) to the distinguished writer Budimir Dubak. This honor—awarded by the Holy Synod of Bishops upon the proposal of Metropolitan Joanikije—serves as recognition for Mr. Dubak’s faithfulness to the Church of God and his exceptional contribution to the preservation of the Serbian cultural and spiritual heritage in Montenegro.
Mr. Budimir Dubak expressed his joy at receiving this significant recognition, emphasizing that the Order of Saint Sava represents the crowning achievement of his life and his labors in the Lord’s vineyard. "According to Saint Nikolai Velimirovich, Saint Sava was—and remains, even now before the throne of the Creator—the greatest intercessor in prayer for the Serbian people.
It is impossible to fully grasp the depth and breadth of Saint Sava. Thanks to his spiritual labor, Orthodoxy among the Serbs has come to be known as 'Saint-Sava-ism' (*Svetosavlje*). Furthermore, Bishop Danilo—the progenitor of the royal-lineage Petrović dynasty—wrote that, alongside the Gospels, the most important book for him was the *Life of Saint Sava*, the first Archbishop and teacher of the Serbs.
Saint Sava is the father of Serbian literature and its helmsman throughout the centuries. He is a beacon that shows us the path toward life and the mystery of God the Logos.
This priceless token, which I receive today, shall serve as a pledge for me to continue dedicating my efforts and love to the eternal edifice of the Church of Christ—the Church of God the Logos—and to the service of my long-suffering Serbian kin. Glory be to the Lord and to His Saint Sava!" concluded the writer Budimir Dubak.
Lana Ostojić

Photographs Fotografije

Orthodox Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral