METROPOLIT LONGIN AWARDS DODIK THE ORDER OF ST. MARDARIJE

CHICAGO, NOVEMBER 14 /SRNA/ - Metropolitan Longin of the Midwestern American Diocese today presented the Order of St. Mardarije to President Milorad Dodik, expressing hope that he would wear it with honour on his Serbian chest and continue to support the Church and the Serbian people.

Bishop Longin noted that Dodik was known as a great benefactor of Serbian churches and monasteries. The Metropolitan said that Serbs in the diaspora, emigrant communities, had always responded whenever help was needed in any area where Serbs lived, but that this was the first time they had received assistance from their homeland, through a donation by Republika Srpska. "The assistance was truly needed, and we firmly believe that God will bless them, and that St. Sava will rejoice and grant them peace, health, prosperity and everything else they need," Bishop Longin said. Dodik stressed that without devotion to their faith, the Serbian people would not be able to preserve their identity. Today, Dodik served as the godfather at the consecration of the renovated residence and the St. Mardarije Spiritual and Cultural Centre at the St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville, near Chicago. Republika Srpska also contributed to the renovation.