Dabojevići, Montenegro, May 12, 2023
Photo: mitropolija.com
Thousands of faithful Orthodox Christians braved inclement weather this morning to celebrate the feast of St. Basil of Ostrog, one of the most beloved saints of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Every year, Orthodox Christians from Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and beyond go on pilgrimage to Ostrog Monastery in central Montenegro, where the relics of St. Basil lie in repose.
The celebration began last night with the Vigil celebrated by visiting hierarch His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America. Also in attendance were His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro, His Grace Bishop Sergij of Bihać and Petrovo, and His Grace Bishop Kirilo of Buenos Aires and South and Central America, reports the Metropolis of Montenegro.
Photo: mitropolija.com
The service was attended by thousands of believers, despite the weather. Met. Joanikije heartily thanked all those who came, saying: “I don't remember that there was ever a storm like this, but it’s also a gift from God. This shows real, true faith and love… This is where we see the character of our people, because it’s not like anyone could teach children in school to make such a sacrifice. This is something they inherited from their ancient and recent ancestors.”
The hierarch also spoke about how St. Basil has healed many, including those who were written off by doctors who said they were beyond hope.
And this morning, the aforementioned hierarchs celebrated the Divine Liturgy in honor of St. Basil. As can be seen in the video below, the faithful again braved pouring rain:
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St. Nikolai Velimirović writes about St. Basil in his Prologue from Ochrid:
Saint Basil was born in Popovo Polje, a village in Hercegovina, of simple and God-fearing parents. From his youth he was filled with love for the Church of God and when he reached maturity he entered the monastery of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Trebinje and there received the monastic tonsure. As a monk he quickly became renowned because of his genuine and infrequently-found ascetic life. Saint Basil took upon himself mortification upon mortification, each one heavier and more difficult than the last. Later, against his will he was elected and consecrated as bishop of Zahumlje and Skenderija. As a hierarch he first lived in the monastery of Tvrdosh and from there, as a good shepherd, he strengthened his flock in the Orthodox Faith, protecting them from the cruelty of the Turks and the cunning ways of Latins. When Basil was exceedingly pressed by his enemies and Tvrdosh destroyed by the Turks, he moved to Ostrog, where he lived an austere ascetic life, protecting his flock by his ceaseless and fervent prayer. He fell asleep peacefully in Lord in the sixteenth century, leaving behind his incorrupt Relics, incorrupt and miracle-working to the present day. The miracles at the grave of Saint Basil are without number. Christians and Muslims alike come before his Relics and find healing for their gravest illnesses and afflictions. A great people’s assembly (sabor) occurs there annually on the Feast of Pentecost.
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