Celije, Rasina District, Serbia, April 8, 2024
Photo: eparhijavaljevska.rs
The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated a triple anniversary of St. Justin (Popović) yesterday, coinciding with the feast of the Annunciation.
The great 20th-century ascetic and theologian was born 130 years ago on April 7, 1894, and reposed on the same day 45 years ago in 1979. His relics were then transferred on the same day in 2014.
The celebration was led by His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, together with 11 other hierarchs of the Serbian Church, and His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, reports the Diocese of Valjevo.
Photo: eparhijavaljevska.rs
Noting that the celebration of St. Justin coincided with the feast of the Annunciation, Pat. Porfirije recalled that in Baptism he was named Blagoje in honor of the feast.
The Serbian primate continued:
In the most difficult times for our people, [Fr. Justin] preached and was simultaneously crucified. Not by force, although he was persecuted by the powers of this world, but from within, he voluntarily crucified his mind, his heart, his will on the Cross of Christ so that Christ might live in him and the good news of salvation in Christ might be spoken through him. In the darkest and most difficult times, from this place flowed rivers of the good news about Christ the Savior, watering every inch of our land. They nourished many souls among our people, who wandered on pathless ways. At this place, many gathered and found Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, the seed from this place has sprouted and gives gracious fruits.
Photo: eparhijavaljevska.rs
Following the blessing of the slava bread, the local hierarch, His Grace Bishop Isichije of Valjevo presented Pat. Porfirije with the Order of St. Justin, which was established in 2019, saying:
We are convinced that with [Fr. Justin’s] blessing, you received the holy Mysteries of monasticism, the priesthood, the episcopacy, and the duty, dignity, and obedience of the first hierarch in which you visit us today. As the Serbian Patriarch, today you tirelessly and devotedly strive to lead us in the spirit of St. Sava and St. Justin, as his distinguished disciple and successor, into the blessed Kingdom of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and to manifest that Kingdom in our lives. You take pastoral care of the Church, leaving no one outside of Your love and care. We pray to Him to strengthen and bless you.
Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!
