North Mitrovica celebrates St. Demetrius; youngest faithful break festive bread containing a gold coin

A packed church, a large number of worshippers gathered in the churchyard and many children marked today’s celebration of St. Demetrius, the patron saint of both the city and the church in North Mitrovica. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Teodosije of Raska and Prizren, while the festivities continued with a religious procession, the cutting of the slava bread, the breaking of the festive bread containing a gold coin, and a celebratory meal.

Once again this year, the church was filled with worshippers, while the chanting of the Branislav Nusic Church Choir contributed to the solemn atmosphere of the feast.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Teodosije of Raska and Prizren, who, in his homily, reminded the faithful of the life and martyrdom of St. Demetrius, noting that the saint rejected earthly pleasures for the sake of the eternal Kingdom of God.

He extended his greetings on St. Demetrius Day to the clergy and monastics, the residents of North Mitrovica and all those who had come to the city for the occasion, expressing the hope that the people would live in the spirit of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

“The Lord has entrusted us with bearing God’s truth and justice, with serving God rather than submitting to men. We know our purpose, and that is why we have come to the church today—to serve God and pray to Him, and to profess love, truth and justice,” Teodosije said.

Following the service, the faithful received Holy Communion, after which the clergy and congregation took part in a religious procession outside the church.

After the ceremonial cutting of the slava bread, the youngest participants gathered around the česnica and joyfully took part in breaking it. Particular excitement surrounded the gold coin hidden inside the bread, which was found by Maksim Bogicevic.

His father, Vladimir Bogicevic, said that receiving the gold coin was a great blessing, particularly because it had happened on such an important feast day.

“May the Lord God, through the prayers of St. Demetrius and the Most Holy Mother of God, grant that we all remain together and in good health—above all our children—that we may be proud of them, and may God grant the entire city peace, freedom and prosperity,” Bogicevic said.

Sweets and refreshments were then provided for the children, while a festive meal was served to the assembled faithful in the church residence, continuing the communal celebration of the patron saint’s day of both the city and the church.