OSTROG ROCK - SILENT FORCE OF BALKANS

BANJA LUKA, MAY 12 /SRNA/ - Today the Serbian Orthodox Church /SOC/ marks the day of St. Basil of Ostrog, whose relics are kept as a great shrine in the Ostrog Monastery, in Montenegro, and are a place of pilgrimage for believers of all religions.

St. Basil of Ostrog /Jovanović/ was born in the village of Mrkonjići, in Popovo Polje in Herzegovina, Republika Srpska. He was born on December 28, 1610, to pious and devout Orthodox parents, Petar and Anastasija Jovanović. At baptism, his parents gave him the name Stojan.

He became a monk in the Trebinje Monastery of the Assumption of the Most Holy Theotokos and as a monk he soon became famous for his ascetic life, and was later elected bishop of Zahumlje and Skenderija.

As a bishop, St. Basil lived in the Tvrdoš monastery, from where he strengthened the faithful in Orthodoxy. When the Turks ravaged Tvrdoš, the saint moved to the Ostrog monastery, where he continued his ascetic life, and died there in 1671.

The body of St. Basil remained incorrupt and is kept in the cave church – which is considered a miracle. Believers of different faiths believe in the miraculous power of Saint Basil of Ostrog. In the Upper Monastery there are numerous written testimonies of those whom the saint helped. People who have been healed here leave their testimonies to the monks, who then collect them in books.

One of the most famous stories about the miracles of Saint Basil tells of a baby who, according to the story, fell from his cradle off the cliff of the Upper Monastery, which is located 900 meters above sea level. The mother was convinced that the child had perished, but the baby was found at the foot of the mountain - alive, healthy and smiling.

For those who doubt its miraculous power, there are undeniable facts that make one think. The fire that engulfed Mount Ostroška Greda did not damage either the Upper or Lower Monastery, nor the nearby chapels. Also, during World War II, a bomb that fell above the Upper Monastery never exploded.

Many believers testify that the night spent under the arches of Ostrog was the most peaceful of their lives. It is precisely because of this feeling of peace and security that visitors often choose to sleep outside, even though the lodging offers beds and blankets, which are available to everyone.

Unlike other religious holidays, there are no traditional customs associated with St. Basil of Ostrog. There is only one recommendation - on the feast of St. Basil, you should go to the Ostrog Monastery and pray. That's all.

It is believed that St. Basil gets up and walks at night, so his socks are torn every day - the monks change them regularly.

Pilgrimages to Ostrog began during the earthly life of Saint Basil and continued after the celebration of his holy relics. Even today, it is one of the most visited shrines in the Balkans.

The Serbian people's respect for this saint is also reflected in the construction of numerous temples in his honor. The temple built for the saint in his city of Onogošt - Nikšić is particularly beautiful.

In 1935, a hospital named after St. Basil of Ostrog was opened in Belgrade, and his holy omophorion is still kept in the Church of Saint Emperor Constantine and Helena in Voždovac.

St. Basil of Ostrog is a saint who continues to walk among us, quietly but powerfully, bringing comfort, strength and faith, which says, when you don't know where to go next - look towards the mountain. He is already there.