MASTILOVIĆ: VISIT BY HILANDAR ABBOT AND ARRIVAL OF ICON OF THE MOTHER OF GOD AMONG THE HAPPIEST DAYS FOR PALE

PALE, NOVEMBER 12 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović said that the arrival today of Hilandar Monastery Abbot Archimandrite Metodije and the exact replica of the miraculous Icon of the Mother of God Milk-Giver was one of the happiest days for Pale and Orthodox Christians.

Mastilović told reporters that two major spiritual events had coincided today, as the feast day of Saint King Milutin also marks the patron saint's day /Slava/ of the Institute of Historical Sciences at the University of Istočno Sarajevo.

"Today, we have the honour not only of welcoming the Hilandar Monastery abbot, but also, in a way, of paying a fitting tribute to King Milutin, as he deserves," Mastilović said.

Mastilović stressed that an icon of this kind could only be obtained from Hilandar Monastery, with the blessing of its brotherhood and abbot. It will not only adorn the Church of the Assembly of the Holy Archangel Gabriel in Pale, but also serve as a focal point around which the faithful will gather.

The faithful people of Pale and the Sarajevo-Romanija region gave a solemn welcome to Archimandrite Methodius, abbot of the Hilandar Monastery, who, accompanied by monks Toma and Hariton, brought an exact replica of the miraculous icon of the Milk-Giver Theotokos, which from today will adorn the Church of the Assembly of St. Archangel Gabriel in Pale.

Following a ceremonial welcome in Nikola Tesla Street, the icon was carried in a religious procession to the church and placed on its throne.

Following the ceremony, Archimandrite Methodius celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by the monastery's brotherhood and the local clergy of Pale.