In Nis solemn celebration of Feast day of Saints Constantine and Helen the Equal-to-the-apostles
June 5th 2013
The feast-day of Saints Constantine and Helen in the imperial city of Nis was celebrated at the highest level of the Serbian Orthodox Church
His Grace Bishop Hrizostom of Bihac-Petrovac celebrated the solemn festal Vigil service in a newly built church dedicated to these saints and especially built by the city of Nis. The local clergy of the Diocese of Nis concelebrated. His Holiness Patriarch Irinej and Their Eminences and Graces Hierarchs of our Holy Church; director of the Office for Cooperation with the Churches and the Religious communities Dr. Mileta Radojevic; Mayor of the City of Nis; presidents of the municipalities of the city; representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces and pious Christian people and guests from the Diaspora attended.
Palilula’s Evening
On the eve of the feast-day of the city, a traditional assembly of the citizens of Nis was held at the Palilula’s ramp, where the “Palilula’s Evening” took place. This is a sort of a cultural event which marks the feast-day of Saints Constantine and Helen. On this occasion Bishop Jovan of Nis addressed the public.
Holy Hierarchal Liturgy on the feast-day
Prayerful celebration of Saints Constantine and Helen in this year of the great jubilee was crowned with the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy. His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, celebrated the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy. His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral and Their Graces Bishops Vasilije of Srem, Lukijan of Budim, Georgije of Canada, Nikanor of Banat, Longin of New Gracanica-Midwest America, Mitrophan of Eastern America, Irinej of Backa, Hrizostom of Bihac-Petrovac and elected Zvornik-Tuzla, Justin of Timok, Pahomije of Vranje, Jovan of Sumadija, Ignatije of Branicevo, Filaret of Milesevo, Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic, Milutin of Valjevo, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, Irinej of Australia-New Zealand, David of Krusevac, retired Bishop Atanasije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina, Antonije of Moravica, Jovan of Lipljan, Andrej of Remesiana, Joakim of Polog-Kumanovo, Marko of Bregalnica, David of Stobi, retired bishop Constantine of Middle Europe, and the host Bishop Jovan of Nis concelebrated at the Liturgy.
The Divine Liturgy was concluded with a solemn procession through the city and cutting the slava cake.
Upon the suggestion of Bishop of Nis and with the approval of His Holiness, the Holy Synod of Bishops awarded the most deserving endowers and donators of the church of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Nis with the Order of Saint Sava of the first and the second degree, as well as with the Order of St. Emperor Constantine.
The University of Nis organized an international scientific symposion “Nis and Byzantine Empire”. Serbian Patriarch Irinej held a keynote address at the opening ceremony of this symposium.
