His Eminence Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joanikije, solemnly opened the 24th Children's Congress of Montenegro, which this year was held under the slogan "Children of Glory to Our Savior".

At the very beginning, the verses of welcome were recited by the students of the religious education school at the Cetinje Monastery.

His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije, in his archpastoral letter, recalled a significant jubilee – 200 years since Bishop Petar II Petrović Njegoš, as a boy, began his education in the Cetinje Monastery, and then in the Savina Monastery near Herceg Novi. He emphasized how important the education of children is and thanked the professors and teachers for their dedicated work and effort.

The Metropolitan also recalled the great jubilee that our Church is celebrating this year – the 850th anniversary of the birth of Saint Sava, the first Serbian archbishop and educator, as well as the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. “These are important jubilees for the entire Church, but also for all our children who joyfully participate in this council,” he said.

The Metropolitan reminded the children that they are now at the right age to emulate these great men whom we remember today, first of all Saint Sava, who was also emulated by other important people of our people, such as Saint Basil of Ostrog, Saint Peter of Cetinje, and Saint Peter II, the Seer of Lovćen.

This was followed by the ceremonial awarding of the “Catholic Teacher of the Year” award. This year, this important title was awarded to the parish priest of Jelena-Podostrog, Archpriest Predrag Katanić.

After the ceremonial opening, in the central part of the program, there was a performance prepared by the religious schools of the Budva Regency and the religious schools from Spuž, Danilovgrad and the surrounding area.

As part of the Assembly, children had the opportunity to participate in numerous workshops and sports activities: an art workshop, a music workshop, a poetry workshop, a calligraphy workshop, an icon painting workshop, a prosphora making workshop, a first aid workshop, an ecological workshop, a recitation workshop, a rosary making workshop, and a guslar workshop. In addition, a photo contest was organized, as well as a tour of the monastery economy for the youngest and the treasury of the Cetinje Monastery. In the sports program, participants competed in football, 3x3 basketball, table tennis, the game "between two fires", games without borders, and chess.

The exhibition dedicated to this year's anniversaries attracted special attention. As every year, a song was performed that was created during the music workshop at this year's Children's Assembly, and at the end, a traditional knowledge quiz was held.

O most gentle Silent Teacher

…

By your resurrection you have defeated death

Heaven resounds with your praise

CHILDREN GLORIFY THEIR SAVIOR!

https://mitropolija.com/2025/09/13/mitropolit-joanikije-otvorio-djeciji-sabor-pod-sloganom-djeca-slave-svoga-spasitelja/