To the glory of St. John, New Stjenik sisterhood celebrated monastery’s feastday this year as well with solemn festive services whose peak was a holy hierarchical Liturgy after which the Slava bread and koliva were blessed. During the Holy Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Akakije in his sermon reminded all how great a saint the Holy Forerunner John is and that alongside the Most Holy Mother of God he stands directly before the Lord Himself as our intercessor. Afterwards he made note that we should glorify this saint whom we celebrate not only with our mouths but by imitating his life as much as is within our power. Among the various facets of the Holy Forerunner, such as prophecy, evangelism, asceticism and martyrdom, His Grace pointed out his firmness in the matter of unmasking lawlessness and apostasy, which we should pay special attention to in these confusing times of apostasy from the true faith. For without preserving the true faith, salvation is impossible. After the completion of the divine services, the pilgrims were invited to the agape meal, at which Mother Superior congratulated everyone upon the feast and expressed her thanks for the selfless help from all of the self-sacrificing friends of Novi Stjenik Monastery.
For pictures from the convent feastday click here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1101 ... 0681509329
