DODIK: NEW CHURCH AND PARK PROJECT CAN BRING NEW LIFE TO ZAVAIT

FOČA, SEPTEMBER 27 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik said today that the construction of the church in Zavait, together with the development of the national park, would help revive the area and create conditions for greater prosperity.

Following the consecration of the church, Dodik said that together with Slovenian Parliament Speaker Zoran Stevanović, who is originally from the area, he had been involved in activities that helped ensure the church was built and completed in time for today's consecration.

"This is truly a beautiful area, the air here is wonderful, and I think all of this will help make this region even more prosperous and an even better place," Dodik told reporters after the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy.

He said the headquarters of the national park would also be located there, which, in his view, would complete the broader concept of projects needed to strengthen confidence in the future of the area.

Dodik said that since construction of the church began, more than 15 to 20 weekend homes had started to be built in the area, showing that there was interest in staying and living there.

"This is a way to revive Zavait and the surrounding area," Dodik stressed.

He added that, given climate change, destinations such as this would become increasingly attractive in the future to people seeking places for rest and longer stays, which he sees as an opportunity for the development of Zavait and the wider area.

"This will be a jewel in the future. People will look for places like this to retreat to, and that is where this area's opportunity lies," Dodik said.

His Eminence Metropolitan Hrizostom of Dabar-Bosnia today consecrated the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Nedjelja in Zavait near Foča, saying that it marked a new beginning and a revival of the village, which had faced depopulation and suffering over the past decades.

The sponsors of the prayer celebration were President Milorad Dodik and Slovenian Parliament Speaker Zoran Stevanović, who is originally from the area, together with Slavko Dunjić, who was born in the village.

In addition to a large number of worshippers, the service was attended by Republika Srpska National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić and Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac.

Construction of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Nedjelja in Zavait began at the end of 2023, while Metropolitan Hrizostom consecrated its foundations in April last year.

The church covers an area of about 60 square meters, with an inscribed-cross plan measuring just under 15 meters in length and around 12 meters in width.

During construction, the dome and bell tower were completed, along with the porch and narthex, the surrounding area was landscaped, and chandeliers and an iconostasis were installed.

The consecration of the church fulfilled a centuries-old wish of the residents of Zavait.