ARCHIMANDRITE DIMITRIJE: SAINTS OF SERB PEOPLE SHOULD BE OUR GUIDES

BELGRADE, MAY 11 /SRNA/ - Archimandrite Dimitrije, abbot of the Tumane Monastery, said that Serbs should understand that their homeland is the Kingdom of God and live in a way that is worthy, dignified and faithful to their holy Orthodox faith.

"If we believe that we are living as Christ commands and as the Holy Gospel testifies, we must follow established paths, and one of them is certainly to emulate and identify with the saints from among our own people", Archimandrite Dimitrije told SRNA ahead of the great feast of St. Basil of Ostrog.

He pointed to the inspiring example of St. Basil of Ostrog the Miracle Worker, who testified to Christ during troubled and difficult times.

Archimandrite Dimitrije noted that several centuries before this great saint of Ostrog, St. Zosimus of Tumane, through his quiet spiritual struggle and almost unimaginable devotion to Christ, created the image of a living friend of God that continues to inspire people even in the 21st century.

"And St. Jacob of Tumane, as our contemporary, reminds us that no era or circumstance separates man from God - only our own free will determines that", Archimandrite Dimitrije emphasized.

Asked whether and to what extent the Serb people, after decades of wandering astray, have returned to their faith, Archimandrite Dimitrije said parish priests across Serb lands would know best, but that the answer is certainly positive when it comes to the Tumane Monastery, also known as the Ostrog of the Đerdap region.

He added that large numbers of young people and young families visit Tumane.

"Especially on feast days and Sundays, the monastery is full of children, which shows that people are seeking God and renewing their communion with the Lord, although it is never enough. We must always testify to young people that, in these challenging times, the true solution and genuine commitment should be the Orthodox faith, especially for us Orthodox Serbs who inherit a centuries-old Orthodox and salvific tradition", he said.

Archimandrite Dimitrije stressed that people from all parts of the world and followers of many religions come to this holy site, demonstrating that God's sanctuary radiates spiritual grace and that the saints continue to call people by bearing witness to the Lord.

"It is important that we welcome everyone who comes with good intentions and proper respect and show them not only the beauty of the Orthodox faith but also the warmth of Serbian hospitality", Archimandrite Dimitrije said.

He announced that on May 24, the Tumane Monastery will hold the traditional changing of the vestments of St. Zosimus' relics for the tenth time, followed by a procession to the hermitage.

"This is a custom established here by Russian monks in 1936. It lasted until 1943, and we restored it in 2017. Everyone is welcome - this is the home of all of us, and our saints are our guides", Archimandrite Dimitrije said.

The Serbian Orthodox Church tomorrow celebrates St. Basil of Ostrog, whose relics are preserved in the Ostrog Monastery, one of the greatest pilgrimage sites for believers of all religions.