Uncovering of relics of Martyrs of Janj, victims of Ustaše / OrthoChristian.Com

Strojice, Bosnia and Herzegovina, September 29, 2026

Photo: spc.rs

The relics of seventeen members of the Todorić family, thirteen of them children burned alive in their own barn by the Ustaše in 1941, were uncovered on September 3 on the slopes of Mount Vitorog, in the Janj highland in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The uncovering came just before the 85th anniversary of the massacre of Orthodox Serbs there.

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Sergije of Bihać and Petrovac, the relics were taken from the ground at the homes of the Perušić and Todorić families, reports the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The relics were carried to the neighboring hamlet of Ćate, which also suffered a martyric death, where they were carefully washed and laid in a reliquary. The reliquary was placed in the chapel of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia.

Photo: spc.rs

Descendants of the Todorić family took part alongside the clergy in the entire rite of washing the relics and also chose and prepared the reliquary in which the relics were laid.

On the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Bishop Sergije celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the parish feast day in Stroјice, where the rector Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Radoslav and a large gathering of faithful and clergy welcomed him. The relics of the Martyrs of Janj had been carried in a procession to the church.

Photo: spc.rs

During the Liturgy, Bishop Sergije ordained Deacon Miloš Jerinić to the priesthood. After the prayer behind the ambon, a festal procession was held with a short memorial service and the blessing of festal offerings brought by local faithful.

Names of those who perished on September 4, 1941, in the village of Vodice, hamlet of Mala Vitoroga, from the Todorić household known as the Perišići:

1. Pantelija Todorić, son of Sime, b. 1883

2. Radojka Todorić, daughter of Ile, b. 1935

3. Ljubinka Todorić, daughter of Ile, b. 1941

4. Rosa Todorić, daughter of Ile, b. 1931

5. Petra Todorić, daughter of Ile, b. 1928

6. Darinka Todorić, daughter of Ile, b. 1932

7. Krstan Todorić, son of Ile, b. 1929

8. Momčilo Todorić, son of Krstan, b. 1930

9. Mirko Todorić, son of Krstan, b. 1934

10. Jovo Todorić, son of Krstan, b. 1936

11. Mileva Todorić, daughter of Krstan, b. 1941

12. Cvijo Todorić, son of Tode, b. 1881