Worshippers gather in Gracanica for Vidovdan: "This feeling cannot be described in words"

Large numbers of worshippers from central Serbia, Montenegro, and the Republic of Srpska arrived in Gracanica today to mark Vidovdan. As they said, being in Gracanica on Vidovdan is a unique experience that cannot be put into words—it must be experienced firsthand.

Dragana Beslac, a member of the Abonos Mountaineering Club from Banja Luka, said this was her first time celebrating Vidovdan in Gracanica and that she was overjoyed.

"We arrived on Friday morning. We visited Visoki Decani, Strpce, where we are staying, and yesterday we climbed the Sar Mountains. We also went to Prizren and visited the Church of Our Lady of Ljevis, our Seminary, the Church of St. George, and the Monastery of the Holy Archangels. And today, thank God, we are here with all of you in Gracanica," Beslac told Kosovo Online.

After the liturgy, she said, they planned to continue to Gazimestan.

"We are having such a wonderful time. We are all overwhelmed with impressions and so happy to be here with you today. This is a great blessing and a great joy for us. It is my first time coming for Vidovdan, and I had no idea it would be this beautiful. I am so happy, and I am also glad that Vidovdan is commemorated in Banja Luka as well," Dragana said.

Miloš Berunicic from Pljevlja said that one of his lifelong wishes had come true by visiting Gracanica on Vidovdan.

"This is my first time here, and it has been one of my lifelong wishes. Now it has come true. Of course, after Gracanica we are going to Gazimestan," Berunicic said.

Marko Stolic from Banja Luka had previously visited Gracanica Monastery, but emphasized that experiencing it on today's holiday was something entirely different.

"This is our second consecutive year here, but this year we came for Vidovdan, and it is completely different to be here on Vidovdan than on any other day," he said.

Vojin, from Podgorica, said that being in Gracanica on this day was an experience beyond words.

"It simply cannot be described in words, honestly. You have to come here and experience all of this yourself, and then everything becomes clear. We came from Podgorica. Our hearts are as big as the sky," Vojin said.

Among those who arrived in Gracanica today were also worshippers from central Serbia.

"The feeling is always extraordinary. We visit the holy sites, come to Gracanica—everything is beautiful," said a young man from Vrbas.