DODIK: MILOŠEVAC MONASTERY SHOWS PEOPLE'S COMMITMENT TO THEIR HOLY SITES

PRIJEDOR, OCTOBER 14 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik said the Miloševac Monastery complex near Prijedor was proof of the people's faith and determination not to give up their holy sites, adding that it deserved the attention of Republika Srpska and its institutions.

"This is one of the most beautiful buildings we have within our Church and it certainly deserves the attention not only of the faithful, but also of the state, that is, Republika Srpska and its institutions," Dodik told reporters while attending the monastery's patron saint's day celebration.

Dodik said Miloševac Monastery had risen again through the will of the people and with the blessing of Metropolitan Jefrem, remembering that there had been nothing at the site seven or eight years ago.

"This is magnificent proof of the people's faith, that they do not give up their holy sites, and that whatever time and adversity destroy, the people who live here always restore and rebuild for this generation and those to come, as a seal, or testimony, of our existence in these lands," Dodik said.

He added that some work still remained to be done and expressed confidence that the complex would be completed in the years ahead.

"Whenever I come here, I am happy, first because such a beautiful complex has been built, and second because the work here has been carried out in such a magnificent way," Dodik said.

He said the monastery's patron saint's day was always an opportunity for people to gather and to wish good health to everyone, to the faithful Serb people and to Republika Srpska.

Miloševac Monastery is today celebrating its patron saint's day - the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.

His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan Jefrem of Banja Luka is serving the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy for the feast, assisted by Vicar Bishop Sava of Marča and monastics.

According to old church records, Miloševac Monastery stood near the Miloševica River in the Čirkin Polje settlement /also known locally as Kaluđersko Polje/, at a site called Crkvina.

The monastery was destroyed, like others in the area, during the Austro-Turkish War of 1683-1699.

A cemetery later occupied the site of the destroyed monastery. During grave digging, bricks, stones and even remains of foundations were frequently uncovered.

Work to restore the monastery in Prijedor's Čirkin Polje settlement began in August 2018.