METROPOLITAN JEFREM: BY INVESTING IN RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS, WE FOLLOW PATH OF OUR ANCESTORS

ČELINAC, AUGUST 28 /SRNA/ - His Eminence Metropolitan Jefrem of Banja Luka stated that restoring and investing in religious buildings confirms the faith of the Serbian people, which is not limited merely to the fact that they are Orthodox Serbs, but also involves doing good deeds following the example of their ancestors.

"Our ancestors in difficult times, under foreign yoke and rule, did the utmost they could for their country, people, and faith, so that we today may also remain on their path to do what is good and beneficial," Metropolitan Jefrem told the gathered believers after serving the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy at the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God in the Čelinac local community of Jošavka. Metropolitan Jefrem noted that this religious building has received a new bell and that a new parish hall is being built. "May God grant us a happy and blessed day on which we have gathered for joint prayer," said Metropolitan Jefrem. The Holy Liturgy was attended by President Milorad Dodik, Republika Srpska Minister of Internal Affairs Željko Budimir, Minister of Finance and Treasury in the Council of Ministers Srđan Amidžić, Head of the SNSD Caucus in the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska Srđan Mazalica, SNSD Organizing Secretary Igor Dodik, Mayor of Čelinac Municipality Vlado Gligorić, Mayor of Banja Luka Draško Stanivuković, SDS President Branko Blanuša, and numerous believers. The Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God was built over six years and completed in 1926, and was consecrated in 1928 by Metropolitan Vasilije of Banja Luka. The church was damaged in the 1969 earthquake and repaired in 1972, and was damaged again in the 1981 earthquake and repaired in 1993. The restored church was consecrated on June 8, 2009, by Bishop Jefrem of Banja Luka.