METROPOLITAN HRIZOSTOM: SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS ESTABLISHED THE SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITY

ISTOČNO SARAJEVO, MAY 24 /SRNA/ - His Eminence the Metropolitan of Dabar-Bosnia, Hrizostom, said that the enlighteners Saints Cyril and Methodius established the spiritual and cultural identity of the Slavic peoples through their mission.

Speaking on the occasion of the patron saint's day of the University of Istočno Sarajevo - Saints Cyril and Methodius, the Metropolitan pointed out that the Holy Brothers brought the Slavic peoples not only literacy and education but also faith in Christ.

He emphasized that without spiritual growth and the realization of Christ as the Son of God, there is no true meaning of life or progress in society.

"What must we draw as the greatest lesson? Continuous progress in science, in the study of everything that makes a person happy and a person of God. Not only to engage in the sciences of this world, but to know Christ the Lord, to know Him as the Son of God," stated Metropolitan Hrizostom.

He reminded that Cyril and Methodius, with the blessing of the Church, came among the Slavic peoples to preach the Gospel and enlighten the people, and that through their work they left a lasting spiritual legacy.

The Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of Republika Srpska, Draga Mastilović, said that the University of Istočno Sarajevo has been celebrating its patron saint's day since 1994, that is, since the war period, and that this is an important symbol of the endurance and development of this higher education institution.

"I want the University of Istočno Sarajevo to progress, develop, and have more and more students. The Faculty of Orthodox Theology is also located at this University, which certainly gives a special dimension to both the University and this Slava," stated Mastilović.

The Rector of the University of Istočno Sarajevo, Milan Kulić, pointed out that this is one of the rare universities in Serbian territories that has its own patron saint's day, recalling that the tradition was established immediately after the founding of the University in 1992.

"This is a sign that our university continues the tradition of education and enlightenment in these areas. It is a very festive day for us, and traditionally, as part of the Slava celebration, we also promote Doctors of Science," said Kulić.

He stated that in the previous year, 11 candidates defended their doctoral dissertations at the University of Istočno Sarajevo, 10 of whom will be ceremoniously promoted tomorrow, bringing the total number of promoted Doctors of Science at this university to 579.