Feast of St. Joanikije of Devic celebrated in Devic Monastery

KiM Info Newsletter 16-12-05

KIM Info Service, Devic, December 15, 2005

On Thursday Devic Monastery festively celebrated the feast of its patron saint and protector, St. Joanikije of Devic. His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of a number of hieromonks and priests of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren. Despite the difficult security conditions around the monastery some 300 souls gathered to celebrate the feast of St. Joanikije the Wonder-worker, who founded the monastery, with the monastery's sisterhood.

The sisters of Devic Monastery, led by Abbess Anastasije, are investing great efforts to maintain the continuity of spiritual life in this holy shrine, which was completely destroyed during last year's March riots. The nuns now live in newly rebuilt living quarters while the church has been only partially renewed and awaits further restoration work on the frescoes damaged by torching. There are also plans to restore the rest of the buildings completely destroyed in March 2004.