His Eminence Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Joanikije, November 22, opening the exhibition "One Hundred Years Since the Renovation of Njegoš's Votive Church on Lovćen" in Nikšić, authored by MA Dušan Babac, said that the unification of our people will be like the renovation of the chapel on Lovćen.

"Since we are celebrating this date today, a glorious anniversary, we anticipate the renovation of the chapel on Lovćen, so that Njegoš's legacy will be fulfilled. We are aware that we have a lot to do to restore the chapel, and we will do most of it through events like this — through culture and spirituality," said Metropolitan Joanikije.

Marko Kovačević, President of the Municipality of Nikšić, said at the opening of the exhibition that the identity card of Montenegro contains Njegoš's picture and said that Montenegro is as close to itself as it is to Njegoš, and asked whether it can be close to itself and Njegoš if it does not respect his last will.

“Our vow, which was revived in our people by the late Metropolitan Amfilohije and continued in our time by Metropolitan Joanikije, is to restore that chapel on Lovćen so that the roof of our homeland can also be restored. We have learned how to treat our greatest and most important holy places,” Kovačević emphasized.

Vesna Todorović, director of the Nikšić Museums and Galleries, and the author of the exhibition, MA Dušan Babac, spoke about the exhibition, which was held at the Palace of King Nikola.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by Metropolitan of Budimlje and Nikšić, Mr. Metodije, Archpriest-Staurophorus Slobodan Boban Jokić, President of the Nikšić Municipal Assembly Milica Lalatović Žižić, and numerous Nikšić residents.

As part of the program marking the 180th anniversary of the construction and 100th anniversary of the renovation of the Njegoš Chapel on Lovćen, organized by the Nikšić Museums and Galleries, a screening of the documentary film "The Ceremonial Visit of King Alexander I Karađorđević and Queen Maria to Montenegro and Dalmatia in 1925" from the holdings of the Yugoslav Film Archive in Belgrade was held.

Source: RTNK

Photo: Željko Drašković