Prijepolje, Serbia, October 9, 2025
Photo: spc.rs
Hierarchs from the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia gathered at Mileševa Monastery on October 6-7, to celebrate multiple commemorations, including the 850th anniversary of the birth of St. Sava, the first Archbishop of Serbia and spiritual father of the Serbian Church.
The celebrations also honored the slava of the Mileševa Diocese, the founder’s slava of Mileševa Monastery, and the slava of Radio Mileševa and the Prijepolje Church Choir of St. King Vladislav, reports the Serbian Orthodox Church.
On the eve of the feast, His Eminence Metropolitan Atanasije of Mileševa and His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina and the Littoral served festal Vigil, joined by clergy from multiple Orthodox jurisdictions. Several other Serbian heirarchs attended the service, along with representatives of state and local institutions and faithful from across Serbian lands.
On the feast day of St. King Vladislav, His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany of ROCOR presided over the Divine Liturgy. He was joined by the aforementioned Metropolitans and Their Graces Bishop Jovan of Pakrac and Slavonia, Bishop Kiril of Buenos Aires and South and Central America, and Bishop Paisije of Diokleia, along with clergy from several Orthodox jurisdictions.
Photo: spc.rs
Following the Gospel reading, Bp. Jovan delivered a sermon, stating that St. King Vladislav built Mileševa Monastery to house the relics of St. Sava as an eternal covenant, like the Ark of the Covenant, reminding the Serbian people of their covenant with God. He noted that St. Sava rests there as a blossoming staff of Aaron, reminding them of the royal priesthood.
Following the Liturgy, Met. Atanasije addressed the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful. He noted that 2025 marks 1,700 years since the First Ecumenical Council and 850 years since St. Sava’s birth. He emphasized the significance of the First Ecumenical Council in giving the Church the Symbol of Faith, which is read at every Liturgy, calling it the spiritual banner of the faithful. He invited those present to read the text of the Symbol of Faith more frequently throughout the day.
After the Liturgy, a state ceremony was held in the Mileševa Cathedral to celebrate the feast of St. King Vladislav. Led by a delegation from the Army of the Republic of Serbia, all state delegations approached and venerated the tomb and relics of St. King Vladislav, followed by all participants of the eucharistic gathering.
A cultural and artistic program was held featuring the Venac ensemble from Gračanica, actors, singers, and guardians of folk tradition. A meal of love was provided for all those celebrating God and his holy servant, St. King Vladislav.
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