The Church of the Laying on of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Bijelo celebrated the feast, Bishop Paisius of Dioclea served the Divine Liturgy today in the Church of the Laying on of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Bijelo, on the occasion of the feast of this ancient shrine.
His Eminence Bishop Paisius of Dioclea served the Divine Liturgy today in the Church of the Laying on of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Bijelo, on the occasion of the feast of this ancient shrine.
His Eminence Bishop Paisius was concelebrated by numerous clergy from the Herceg Novi region and its surroundings.
The consecration of the feast offerings and the cutting of the feast cake were preceded by a procession around the church, after which Bishop Paisius served a memorial service at the grave of the blessed Bishop Simeon.
In his sermon at the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Paisius explained the meaning of the words of the Holy Apostle Paul: “There was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me, lest I should be exalted above measure” (2 Cor. 12:7), stating that many have tried to interpret this passage and to find out what specifically the Holy Apostle Paul meant by these words.
"What is certain is that He was thinking of all our troubles, when our bodies ache and feel pain and discomfort, but not at any time, but when we strive and strive on the path of the Lord. And to all of us who strive to fulfill these commandments of Christ, this feeling is clear, and it can mean different things to different people, but in any case it is some foreign body that does not belong to human nature or man, and that wants to hinder and stop him from completing his path. And the Lord answers the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you." Therefore, the Lord does not relieve the Apostle Paul of the discomfort he had, but says, "My grace is sufficient for you," wanting to indicate that He Himself takes care of him and protects and protects him." Bishop Paisios taught that today's feast of the Laying on of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos also reminds us that the Most Holy Theotokos protects Christians throughout the world.
"Today, we, and this holy temple here in Bijelo, celebrate the Laying Down of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos, which has remained for us, her clothing, as a blessing and as protection that helps us in our troubles. And for this reason, not only in Constantinople, in Constantinople, where this holiday was established, not only does the Holy Theotokos protect Christians where her robe is, but everywhere and throughout the world. And for this reason, we also seek her protection and ask her to help us whenever we need that help."
Recalling a story from the Starechnik about how a girl prayed to the Most Holy Theotokos with the words: “Show me that you are my mother,” to which the Most Holy Theotokos replied: “Show me that you are my child,” Bishop Paisius said that these are words that apply to all of us Orthodox Christians who come to the Most Holy Theotokos, “that we are obliged to show that we are her children, and she shows every day and constantly and everywhere that she is our mother and protector and helper.” On behalf of His Eminence Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Eminence Joanikije, Bishop Paisius congratulated the holiday and conveyed blessings to everyone, and expressed personal joy that this year he was also able to serve on this holiday in this holy temple and to pray together with the clergy and faithful people of this region for health, well-being and peace in the whole world.
The Slavonic gathering in Bijeloja continued with a table of love.
The celebration of the temple slava of the Church of the Laying of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos in Bijeloja began last night with a solemn evening service with a five-bread loaf, and then continued with a lecture by the abbot of the Podmaina Monastery, Hieromonk Rafail (Boljević) “The Church – the Kingdom of God”.
O. B.