Day Fifteen: Patriarchal Divine Liturgy in Nish to Celebrate the 1700th Anniversary of the Edict of Milan

Day Fifteen: Patriarchal Divine Liturgy in Nish to Celebrate the 1700th Anniversary of the Edict of Milan - 10/06/13

The historic birthplace of St. Emperor Constantine the Great—Nish, Serbia—is a full three hours’ drive south of Belgrade. The Patriarchal Divine Liturgy would begin in Nish at 9:00 a.m., so Sayidna JOSEPH and the delegation left Serbia’s capitol at 5:00 a.m. to ensure that they would arrive on time. The long, early-morning bus ride did not bother them in the least, for it took them to what would be one of the most impressive and awe-inspiring liturgical celebrations they would ever see.

Let us start with the staggering attendance: 15,000 people came from all over Serbia (250 buses parked in nearby lots) to fill St. Sava Park outside of Ss. Constantine and Helen Church, which, naturally, was far too small to fit everyone inside. So, the Patriarchate built a huge platform at the west entry of the parish on which stood the altar table. An equally large awning covered all the serving clergy from above. Two choirs—one Byzantine, one Serbian—stood on the steps leading up to the church which, on this day, put them behind the altar area. No one in the crowd had a problem hearing anything because huge speakers hovered above the altar, projecting every amplified petition, prayer and response. Before finding places in the crowd, some of the faithful could venerate an icon of St. Constantine, where a priest could anoint them with holy oil.

Once again, four Patriarchs led the gathering in worship: His All-Holiness BARTHOLOMEW of Constantinople; His Beatitude THEOPHILOS III of Jerusalem; His Holiness KIRLL of Moscow; and the host, His Holiness IRINEJ of Serbia. Five other primates of autocephalous churches joined them: Their Holinesses, Archbishop CHRYSOSTOM II of Cyprus; Archbishop IERONYMOS II of Athens; Archbishop ANASTASIOS I of Albania; Metropolitan SAWA I of Poland; and Archbishop SIMEON, Locum Tenens of the Czech Lands and Slovakia. Representing His Beatitude, Patriarch JOHN X of Antioch were His Eminence, Metropolitan BASILIOS of Akkar and His Grace, Bishop DEMETRIOS of Safita. More than 60 other hierarchs celebrated this Liturgy with them, accompanied by hundreds of priests, deacons and monastics—many of whom had vested but could not fit onto the platform that served as the sanctuary.

Hundreds of religious and civil dignitaries were seated in a pavilion to the right of the platform, including the President of Serbia, Mr. Tomislav Nikolic; the President of the Republic of Srpska, Mr. Milorad Dodik; the Prime Minister Mr. Ivica Dacic; Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic and Princess Katherine; members of the national and city governments, Serbian Armed Forces, diplomatic corps, other religious communities and organizations. More than 50 accredited news media teams captured this historic day in pictures and video. Of course, 1,000 police, military and security officials permeated the grounds—some with earpieces, some with firearms—but everyone was safe.

The massive crowd cleared a path for the Patriarchs and Hierarchs to enter Ss. Constantine and Helen Church, who gave their blessings along the way. Since the church would not be used for worship on this day, it would serve as the place where all of the Patriarchs and Hierarchs vested. But first, they venerated two very important relics: a piece of the true Cross of Christ, and the hand of St. John the Baptist. His All-Holiness, Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW led kairon (preparatory prayers) as the male Byzantine choir sang “Ton Dhespotin” (“Preserve, O Lord, our Master”) in Tone Seven, which Sayidna JOSEPH remarked was the proper way to offer the hymn during vesting. The Patriarchs and Hierarchs then lined up and processed outside the church to begin the Liturgy.

Serbian and Greek were the predominant languages, but even Slavonic and Arabic were used. But those who did not speak those languages had no problem following along. Everyone knew the Patriarchs and Hierarchs were praying for them; each one of them took turns blessing the faithful as their names were proclaimed following the Trisagion Hymn. The Patriarchs and Hierarchs no doubt remembered at the Prothesis Table while preparing Holy Communion these clergy and faithful who sacrificed greatly to be in Nish. Indeed, the Liturgy was outdoors, but on this beautiful autumn day, it felt like everyone was indoors. The scene could have been chaotic, but it was prayerful and reverent. The faithful stood for four hours and had to push forward through the sea of humanity if they wanted to receive Holy Communion from one of eleven chalices. The Patriarchs and Hierarchs were no doubt bombarded by all sorts of distractions, but they truly “laid aside all earthly cares” to focus on the miracle that occurred before them: bread and wine becoming the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

All 15,000 people had to bear in mind at one point that they could not be together in Nish on this holy, historic day, worshipping freely and openly the one God in three Persons had it not been for the precedent set by St. Constantine. The Edict of Milan ensures, even 1700 years later, that they could do so without fear of persecution or ridicule. Sadly, this God-given freedom is unrecognized and dishonored throughout the world. Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW made special reference to this in his remarks following the Liturgy. “Have we not been persecuted these days, our Christians in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Nigeria and the Middle East, just for spreading God’s word?” he asked. “They cherish everyone while being persecuted by everyone. They live in faith while being persecuted as villains.” Patriarch IRINEJ seconded those remarks, saying, “The spirit of religious tolerance should prevail everywhere.”

Then, Patriarch IRINEJ awarded medals and certificates to all the dignitaries to serve as tokens to remember this great occasion. The primates and civil authorities were inducted into the Serbian Church’s “Order of Saint Emperor Constantine.” As for the pilgrims and crowds, this momentous day serves as a reminder to thank God for the freedom to worship, and to thank St. Constantine for recognizing that this freedom comes from above and must be restored to all of God’s people.

NOTES: For a full treatment of the importance of the Edict of Milan, please read an Epistle prepared by Patriarch IRINEJ and the Holy Assembly of Bishops of Serbia here.

The Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and the West thanks the websites of the Orthodox Church of Serbia (http://www.spc.rs/eng), Reuters, Global Post and In Serbia for providing information in English for the reports of Days 14 and 15.