On
August 15 (O.S.) in the village of Koštunići in the heart of Ravna Gora, land
of the pious and patriotic, His Grace Bishop Nekarije of Shumadia and brotherhood
celebrated their first patronal feastday in the monastery’s newly-built church
dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. His Grace Bp. Nektarije celebrated
the festal Hierarchical Holy Liturgy with honored guest His Grace Bishop Akakije
of Uteshiteljevo co-concelebrating with several priests and servers.
The
brotherhood’s zealous efforts transformed the still-unfinished church into a
beautiful place of prayer. Even if the ornamentation was simple, according to
the monastery’s modest means, the effect in the already noble, cross-shaped interior
was very warm and cheery. Blue altar coverings, sewn with love by the Novi
Stjenik nuns, were like a flash of heavenly color in the dusky interior,
reminding all of the presence of Our Lady Herself in Her new church.
The
Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos (under construction)
The
divine services in honor of Our Most Holy Lady were exceptionally peaceful and
prayerful, at once mournful and joyous.
Upon all the faithful present fell the feeling that they were standing
among the mourning apostles and friends of Our Lord to bid farewell to His
Mother as He came Himself to take Her most pure soul into His arms and carry
her up to heaven in glory, surrounded by heavenly choirs. Such a feeling, however, cannot be a dream,
but reality, for we know that during the Holy Liturgy the heavens themselves
are opened and we participate in the eternal festival of the saints.
Simple
beauty
In his
sermon, honored guest His Grace Bishop Akakije poignantly described that
magnificent, beautiful day upon which the Mother of God gave up her most holy
soul to her Divine Son. He also reminded
all present that because her pure body had been the dwelling place of the
Second Person of the Holy Trinity, it was not submitted to corruption, but as
was proper to such an unimaginably holy being, was resurrected and reunited to
her soul, as all shall be at the second coming of Christ. Such a holy person - who had so completely conquered her sinful human nature to such an extent that she was even worthy
of receiving the Incarnate God into her womb - is our most powerful intercessor. His Grace mentioned here as an aside how degrading to Our Lady the Roman Catholic teaching of the immaculate conception is. Finally, he concluded, as high as Our Lady is, reigning above the angels, so is she near to us, living
among us and always fervently praying for us. We should therefore constantly pray to her for
help.
The
Divine Liturgy
Sermon
At the
end of the Holy Liturgy, upon which almost all those present communed of the
Holy Eucharist, His Grace Bishop Akakije blessed the Slava bread and koliva
which His Grace Bishop Nektarije and the brotherhood had offered. Afterwards
all shared in a rich feast of brotherly love prepared by the monastery brotherhood
and pious laywomen. Toasts were offered
and lively conversations flowed freely.
All enjoyed His Grace Bishop Nektarije’s and brotherhood’s Abrahamic
hospitality. After the thanksgiving
prayers, coffee and desert, all continued to spend the rest of that sunny day
in various shared reflections which often meandered into the singing of pious
and patriotic songs. Only the sunset
finally gently nudged everyone to start their way home, comforted and fortified
after such a grace-filled day, like a little summer Pascha.
Christ is in our midst!
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