Bar, Montenegro, June 5, 2020
Photo: mitropolija.com
A procession through the streets of the Montenegrin seaside town of Bar was held yesterday, June 4, in honor of St. Jovan Vladimir, the patron saint of the town. This was the first procession since the state lifted its restrictions on mass gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo: mitropolija.com
The traditional holy march was held following the evening service and a moleben to the Most Holy Theotokos in the Cathedral of St. Jovan Vladimir in Bar, reports the Metropolis of Montenegro.
Photo: mitropolija.com
Thousands of Orthodox faithful from Bar and surrounding cities participated in the procession that was led by the clergy of the Metropolis of Montenegro. There were especially many young people and children, reports Pravoslavie.ru.
Photo: mitropolija.com
The event took place within the framework of the city’s annual Days of St. Jovan Vladimir program.
In late May, His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlja and Nikšić noted that the faithful of Montenegro were eager to resume their tradition of twice-weekly cross processions in protest of a law passed in December that granted the state the rights to confiscate property from the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro.
The processions were put on hold due to the coronavirus quarantine, though processions in honor of St. George the Victorious and St. Basil of Ostrog spontaneously broke out during the quarantine.
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The holy Martyr Jovan Vladimir, a Serbian prince, was born in the 10th century. From his childhood he was raised in piety, and at maturity he wisely governed his holdings of Illyria and Dalmatia, preserving the holy faith in purity.
The noble prince was married to Kosara, a daughter of the Bulgarian Tsar Samuel. Summoned for talks with the Bulgarian Tsar John-Vladislav, he was treacherously murdered by the Tsar on May 22, 1015, at the entrance to a church. Kosara, the pious spouse of the holy prince, entered a women’s monastery that she built, and where also she died, not leaving the church until the very end of her life. The relics of the holy prince are located near Elbesan.
