Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina, August 1, 2025
Photo: eparhijabihackopetrovacka.org
The proclamation and liturgical glorification of the newly canonized martyrs of Garavice and the Bihać-Cazin region was celebrated this weekend at churches in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina, marking the first commemoration since the saints were canonized at the May session of the Serbian Council of Bishops.
His Grace Bishop Sergije of Bihać and Petrovac served Vespers Saturday evening at Holy Trinity Church in Bihać, beginning the first liturgical celebration of the newly canonized martyrs. During his sermon, Bp. Sergije told the congregation they were entering history together, as they were witnessing the first celebration of the new saints and martyrs, reports srna.rs.
“After 84 years, we’ve succeeded through our sincere prayers and love to glorify these new martyrs, who have already been glorified in Heaven as martyrs since 1941. The history of the world is in God’s hands, and it’s in our hands to glorify the holy servants of God,” His Grace said.
Photo: eparhijabihackopetrovacka.org
The bishop emphasized that there had been great suffering of the Serbian people in this area, not only in 1941 but also afterward, and that it had been forbidden to speak about it. “There was great silence for 84 years. There was a prohibition to speak, examine, and investigate the martyrdom, confession, and suffering of the holy servants, our compatriots. But we will no longer be silent,” Bp. Sergije said.
On Sunday, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served at the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in Bihać. Bp. Sergije was concelebrated by clerics from various dioceses.
The rite of blessing the slava bread was served following the prayer behind the ambo, and at the end of the Liturgy, the new martyrs were proclaimed with the reading of the letter of the Council of Bishop and the elevation of the icon of the Garavice and Bihać-Cazin Martyrs.
Photo: eparhijabihackopetrovacka.org
The Ustaše killed 12,000 Serbs in the village of Garavice near Bihać between July 28 and August 4, 1941, including a large number of children. According to British sources, 14,500 civilians were killed at Garavice over three months, making this killing site the second-largest by number of victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina during World War II.
Following the Liturgy, Bp. Sergije addressed the congregation with a sermon, and an agape feast was prepared in the church courtyard.
The Serbian Council of Bishops canonized six individual saints and three groups of martyrs at its session in May.
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