The fraternal gathering of the clergy and monastics of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, this morning, April 4, on the feast of the Holy Martyr Vasilij Ankirski, in the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica, began with the Holy Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts served by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joannikius.
The Most Reverend Metropolitan Joanikije said in his archpastoral letter that every fraternal meeting is joyful, especially one that gathers in the name of God:
"Any gathering of people to see each other is joyful, especially if there is a special occasion." And we cannot find a better, bigger and more significant occasion, we gathered during the Great and honorable fast before the Resurrection of Christ, on the eve of the Sunday of the Cross, to prepare ourselves, to direct ourselves, all together during this Great Fast towards the greatest secret of Heaven and Earth, to the secret of our salvation."
The bishop then emphasized that there is no man without sin, that we all sin, regardless of whether someone is a bishop, abbot, priest, monk, nun, Christian in the world, young or old, that we all carry the burden that we inherited from our forefather Adam and we fight with it throughout our whole life - the burden of sin:
"But when we confess our sins and acknowledge our weaknesses and flaws before God, then God's mercy, because God is a loving father, pours out on us and turns our weaknesses into light and strength. And it strengthens our weaknesses and God gives us the strength to overcome our weaknesses, sins, and especially the demonic inheritance of malice and wickedness. Our God is a merciful Father, who condescends to our weaknesses, who caresses us, teaches us and comforts us and gives us the strength to always move forward. The Lord Jesus Christ came down from Heaven, created an economy, came down among us, came down for us and into the depths of hell, and this means that he came down to enlighten our darkness to the extreme reaches of the darkness we have fallen into and to free us from sin, darkness , death and that with his Cross and his Resurrection he gives us freedom and new life and new joy."
In the second part of the archpastoral address, the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joanikije emphasized that in communion there is joy and salvation, the strength and grace of God, which enables us to overcome our sins and weaknesses and live a life worthy of the Gospel of God.
"The content of our gathering is not ordinary, that's why it is significant. It is significant because we need to bear witness, and this is true, that in our communion, the way we are sinful and unworthy, but in our communion there is also joy and salvation, the strength and grace of God that enables us to overcome our sins and weaknesses. and we live life as Christians, making His commandments worthy of the Gospel of God.
Let us testify again and again that the Lord Jesus Christ is our savior, our strength, joy, life, light, our living and our resurrection and eternal life. May the Lord give our priests, abbots, abbesses, monks, and nuns a lot of strength to carry out this holy vow, which they have received of service, devotion and sacrifice for their Church, in an honorable and holy way and for the salvation of their souls during the course of their earthly life and to when they come before the face of God, they have something to come out with. Everyone who strives in the name of God, God will add strength to him and God will make his intentions and efforts reach perfection and a real and true result. It is ours only to really strive with love and all devotion to the Church of God, and God will do the rest", the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joannikius.
After the end of the Holy Service of God, the fraternal gathering of the clergy and monastics of the Metropolis of Montenegro and the Littoral continued in the crypt of the temple with a discussion on current issues of the life and mission of the Church in the world.
Text, video: Boris Music
Photo: Boris Music, Željko Drašković
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEzgOVozmGA