BISHOP CYRIL: SAINT PETER OF DABAR-BOSNIA - ORTHODOX FAITH'S ROCK

ISTOČNA ILIDŽA, SEPTEMBER 17 /SRNA/ – Saint Peter of Dabar-Bosnia, the patron saint of Istočno Sarajevo, who was persecuted and suffered martyrdom at the hands of non-believers, was and remains a rock of the Orthodox faith, His Eminence Bishop Cyril of Buenos Aires and South and Central America said.

Bishop Cyril said that his heart was filled with joy that Istočno Sarajevo places the Church and Saint Peter of Dabar-Bosnia, its patron saint, at the centre of its life.

"He suffered during the time of Nazi Germany's satellite, the so-called Independent State of Croatia /NDH/, the Pavelić regime, which was a dark chapter in the history of the Balkans. What Pavelić failed to accomplish during his rule was carried out by the communist, anti-religious, atheist authorities after the end of World War II," Bishop Cyril said in his sermon at the Church of Saint Peter of Dabar-Bosnia in Istočna Ilidža, where he had earlier officiated a service for the city’s patron-saint celebration.

Bishop Cyril also recalled the suffering of Metropolitan Joanikije Lipovac, who, together with clergy and people fleeing with him, was in the territory of present-day Slovenia, where Partisans from Montenegro arrived and killed these innocent people without trial or sentence. This occurred after World War II.

"In Kosovo, let us remember, the hieromonk and martyr Hariton also suffered; he was beheaded for his faith in Kosovo," Bishop Cyril said.

He called on all Orthodox believers and Christians in general to practice tolerance and adhere to the Edict of Constantine and the principle formulated by the Holy Apostles at their first apostolic council: "Do not do to another what you would not want someone else to do to you."

Bishop Cyril emphasized that Saint Peter, first Metropolitan of Zahumlje and Herzegovina and later of Dabar-Bosnia, was a wise, tolerant and peace-loving man who had excellent relations with both local Catholics and Muslims, during wartime as well as during the period of the Kingdom.

"Saint Peter never sought to demonstrate the superiority of his Church and faith over others. On the contrary, he always sought to help everyone without distinction, both his own and `others`. He helped people and was remembered for his mercy and peacemaking. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God," Bishop Cyril said.

Bishop Cyril said that, during difficult times, God had sent the people leaders such as the late Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović, Patriarch Gavrilo, Metropolitan Peter of Dabar-Bosnia, Bishop Platon of Banja Luka, Bishop Sava of Gornji Karlovac, Metropolitan Dositej of Zagreb, and many others who are today venerated as hieromartyrs or confessors of the faith.

"Saint Peter of Dabar-Bosnia was particularly persistent, during peacetime, in promoting education among the people. He especially supported and nurtured church education, seminaries and faculties because he knew that if people were taught the faith more deeply, they would become more steadfast in professing it," Bishop Cyril said.

Today, the Church of Saint Peter of Dabar-Bosnia in Istočna Ilidža celebrated its patron-saint day with a Divine Hierarchical Liturgy, a ceremonial procession around the church, and the breaking of the traditional slava bread.

In the ceremonial procession, alongside the patron of the celebration Saša Škobo and the clergy, participants included Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan, Istočnp Sarajevo Mayor Ljubiša Ćosić, Istočna Ilidža Municipal Mayor Marinko Božović, and numerous residents.