His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Mr. Porfirius presided today at the Holy Bishop's Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica.

His Holiness was served by His Eminence the Archbishop of Cetinje and the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joanikije, His Eminence Metropolitan of Australia and New Zealand Mr. Siluan, His Eminence the Bishop of Diocletian Mr. Paisius, the highly venerable Archimandrite Ephrem, abbot of the Vatoped monastery, as well as numerous priests and monks.

A large number of believers took part in the Holy Liturgy, including the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mr. Andrija Mandić, minister without portfolio in the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Nenad Popović, as well as the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Montenegro, Mr. Nebojsa Rodić.

Metropolitan Joanikije: The joy of the arrival of the Belt of the Most Holy Mother of God in Belgrade spilled over to Podgorica today

Before the start of the Holy Service, Patriarch Porfiri and Abbot Efrem were warmly greeted by Metropolitan Joanikije, emphasizing that their arrival in Podgorica is a great blessing for the faithful people of Montenegro.

"Welcome to us, Your Holiness! Every visit of yours to us is a blessed and blessed event. You always bring us peace, blessings and your patriarchal and fatherly love. And this time we feel that the Lord himself, through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, organized your arrival. By human standards, everything seemed spontaneous, but according to God's providence we especially recognize the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Her blessing that you brought to our people," said Metropolitan Joanikije.

He pointed out that the joy that filled Belgrade in the previous days with the arrival of the Holy Belt of the Blessed Virgin Mary also reached Montenegro.

"The joy that has washed over Belgrade and the entire Serbian people these days has also reached us in Montenegro through you. You brought us our dear brother in Christ, the Most Reverend Archimandrite Efrem Vatopedski, and thus brought us the blessing of the Holy Mountain. It is the same blessing that Saint Sava brought to his people from Vatopedo and Athos. It was in Vatopedo that Saint Sava grew up spiritually and prepared for the great work that he would later do as the first the Serbian archbishop and founder of Hilandar", said the metropolitan.

He also reminded of the spiritual connection between Vatoped and Hilandar monasteries, stressing that it is a connection that has lasted for centuries and is an example of brotherly love and spiritual unity.

"We are constantly reminded of how much love there is between Vatopeda and Hilandar monasteries and how long it lasts. That love has been renewed, strengthened and multiplied over the centuries. It is a great lesson for all of us, especially in this time of division and trials. Dear Father Abbot, welcome. You have brought us a great blessing and grace of the Holy Mother of God through Her Honorable Belt, which you brought with great love to the Serbian people," said Metropolitan Joanikije.

In the end, he expressed his belief that today's assembly will remain deeply remembered in the history of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the Cathedral in Podgorica.

"We hope that today's gathering will be written not only in the history of this holy temple, but also in the history of our Holy Metropolis. Thank you, Your Holiness, for your love and fatherly care. Thank you also to Father Ephrem, as well as to all of you, dear brothers and sisters, for coming to receive the blessing. May the love that His Holiness and Abbot Ephrem brought to us today remain in our hearts, our homes and our families, and multiply in our lives always, always and in all ages," said Metropolitan Ioannikije.

Patriarch Porphyry: If we belong to God, then everything in us is determined by God

After the reading of the Holy Gospel, His Holiness the Patriarch of Serbia Mr. Porfirije addressed the gathered.

At the beginning, the patriarch greeted the present bishops and guests, emphasizing the spiritual importance of this gathering.

"It is a great joy that the Most Holy Mother of God has gathered us here in Podgorica today. She bound us with her prayers, her love and her honorable and miraculous girdle. She has freedom before her Son and our God, and she is the one whose wishes are answered by her Son and our God. She is at the same time the most perfect among people, and she is wider than the heavens, and she made us meet here today, to serve the Holy Liturgy and yes, by serving the Holy liturgy and by partaking of the Body and Blood of the Lord, let us show that we are the people of God", emphasized Patriarch Porfirije.

His Holiness emphasized that, if we belong to God, then everything in us is determined by God, and reminded that these and such spiritual roots were planted in us by Saint Sava...

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