The cover page of the new Svetigora depicts a solemn event of our church – the bringing forth of the icon of the Hieromartyr Michael (Barbić), the parish priest of Krtolj, who was canonized, about whose canonization you can read on page 36 of this bulletin of the Metropolis of Montenegro and the Littoral.

Given that this is a Lenten issue, the content of most of the texts is thematically related to Lent, starting with the writings of Saint Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) “The Cup of Christ”, through the text of Vladimir Shishkin – on preparation for the Lenten journey, the reflections of Alexander Schmemann on the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the essay of the priest Jovan Vukasović – “Venerable Mother Mary, pray to God for us”, to the sermons of Bishop Athanasius (Jevtić) on the Annunciation and Saint Mardarius on Lazarus Saturday.

Metropolitan Ignatius of Dimitriada and Almira writes about the Divine Liturgy in the works of Metropolitan Amphilochius. Dr. Vasilj Jovović looks back on the anniversary of Matica Srpska – 200 years of existence, Dr. Dalibor Elezović discovers the Banjani mountain and its connections with Dubrovnik merchants in the 18th century; M.A. Smilja Vlaović describes the way of life in Lješkopolje, and Archpriest Siniša Smiljić reveals the biography of the parish priest of Ulcinj Jovan Vujanović.

Current events are reported, such as the stay of Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral in Bulgaria at the invitation of Metropolitan Gavril of Lovča and the St. Sava Academy in Podgorica, Tivat and Shkodra, and other events are chronologically recorded in the Chronicle section. The greats of Serbian culture and literature, Komnen Bećirović and academic Miro Vuksanović, have recently left us, and their names have been added to the Svetigorina pomenik.

Svetigora has published a speech by Dr. Budimir Aleksić from the academy dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Mojkovac and the 40th anniversary of the passing of the bard who sang about that battle – Radovan Bećirović. A speech by Nemanja Dević from the St. Sava Academy in Budva has been published. Olivera Balaban introduces Svetigora readers to “Sava’s Pen”, the annual of the “St. Sava” High School in Podgorica.

This issue features an interesting interview with priest Igor Zirojević, who talks, among other things, about the new album and the importance of church singing.

With the new Svetigora, the Lenten struggle will be easier and more joyful, and Easter is closer.

M. Ž.