LAST UPDATE: 16:16 12/6/2021
On June 10, 2021, on the feast of the Ascension of the Lord – Ascension Day, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia served the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the Ascension Church in Belgrade.
The elected Bishop Sava of Marca Sava (Bundalo), the abbots of the Hilandar and Studenica monasteries, Archimandrites Metodije and Tikon, hierodeacon Nektarije, protopresbyter-staurophor prof. Dr. Vladimir Vukasinovic, protodeacon Stevan Rapajic and Deacon Radomir Vrucinic in the prayer participation of the faithful and the brotherhood of the Ascension church, led by the elder archpriest Arsenije Arsenijevic.
The choir of Ascension Church, conducted by Jelena Cvoro, sang responses.
After the Holy Liturgy, the Patriarch led a procession around the Church of the Ascension, and then served a memorial service near the marble cross in the gate that commemorates the victims of Belgrade in the Nazi bombing in April 1941.
After the commemoration, the Patriarch, on the occasion of the celebration of the City of Belgrade, with the host of the celebration, the mayor prof. Dr. Zoran Radojicic blessed the slava cake at the gate of the Ascension Church.
The Patriarch wished all the inhabitants of the first capital city of Belgrade happy Patron Saint-day and God’s blessing, and then, together with the head of the Ascension Church, archpriest Arsenije Arsenijevic, he thanked those deserving of selfless help and great love for the Church of the Ascension.
After the agape feast, Patriarch Porfirije continued to socialize with numerous children on the lawn at the gate of the Ascension Church and spent some time talking to them.
Also, Patriarch Porfirije, with a lot of love, at the request of the editor-in-chief of Radio Slovo Ljubve, archpriest Arsenij Arsenijevic, did a great honor and joy to the members of the editorial board of the radio station of the Archbishopric of Belgrade and Karlovci.
Many faithful people participated in the worship services, first welcoming the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church at the gate of the Ascension Church, and then after him and with him entering the famous shrine which was built with their desire, love, work and contributions by the inhabitants of the capital in 1863. with the blessing of Metropolitan Mihailo of Belgrade and by the order of Prince Mihailo Obrenovic.
Tens of thousands of Belgraders in the Ascension Day Procession
Tens of thousands of faithful, led by Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia set off in procession through Prince Milos and King Milan streets, across Slavija and Liberation boulevard, reaching the Saint Sava Cathedral of Saint Sava in the Vracar district, where the Patriarch was with Bishops Pahomije of Vranje, David of Krusevac, Arsenije of Nis, Heruvim of Osijek-Polje and Baranja, Stefan of Remesiana, retired Georgije of Canada and elected Sava of Marca, abbots Metodije of Hilandar and Tihon of Studenica and numerous priests served a prayer of supplication.
The largest liturgy in the history of the Serbian people and its capital was adorned with the relics of the Holy Despot Stefan and, to the special joy of the people of Belgrade, the relics of Saint Petka of Kalemegdan the Miracle-worker and tireless protector of the city – carried through the streets of Belgrade after 500 years.
Hilandar and the votive flag of Belgrade, which is kept in the Ascension Church.
The Holy Cross was carried in front of the liturgy, while Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, walked under the sky when it was carried by members of the Gendarmerie, surrounded by children in traditional costumes and members of all Belgrade church choirs.
The Police Orchestra gave a special festive tone to the procession. In addition to the Mayor and the leadership of the City, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade, Stanislav Hocevar also participated in the procession.
After the prayer of supplication, Patriarch Porfirije delivered a sermon in which he pointed out, among other things: “We gathered tonight in Ascension Day procession through the streets of our first capital city of Belgrade. We gathered under the dome of this beautiful temple dedicated to Saint Sava.
We have shown that we know who we are, where we are from, but also that we know where we are going.”
Source: Serbian Orthodox Church