BISHOP HERUVIM: RESTORING CHURCHES PRESERVES IDENTITY, CULTURE, AND FAITH

OSIJEK, DECEMBER 28 /SRNA/ – The restoration of churches, especially in areas where the Serb population is a minority, is of great importance for preserving identity, faith, culture, and tradition, as this is also the mission of the Church, His Grace Bishop Heruvim of Osijek–Polje and Baranja told SRNA.

The Bishop pointed out that the Church has always been and remains a place of gathering, unity, and togetherness. Bishop Heruvim emphasized that the goal of the Serbian Orthodox Church, together with clergy, benefactors, and with the support of the authorities, is to find models and resources for the restoration of holy sites wherever they are located. “We strive, wherever there is a possibility for liturgical life, to ensure that the vigil lamp once lit is never extinguished. We also strive to highlight how important and necessary the Church is for preserving identity and the survival of the community in the circumstances in which it lives in these areas,” Bishop Heruvim said. He pointed out that the village of Jagodnjak near Osijek in Croatia serves as an example, where several years ago, through a unified effort in the same churchyard, a new Church of St. Nektarios of Aegina was built and the Church of St. Nicholas, standing there for 300 years, was restored. “The Church of St. Nicholas in Jagodnjak is celebrating 300 years of existence this year. When our ancestors came to this area after the migration, they began building the holy sites we have today, knowing that the survival of our people in the former Habsburg Monarchy was difficult, and that preserving the faith was a great blessing from God,” Bishop Heruvim explained. According to him, the Serb people has always sought to live in love and harmony, while also showing love toward others, which is essential, especially in these regions. Bishop Heruvim warned that today’s time is susceptible to rationalism and materialism and the values these trends bring. “This distances us from the essence of what faith truly is. Therefore, we must strive to be examples to others through our lives, to show that Christianity is a beautiful system of values, where joy and love are virtues deeply rooted in the human being who wishes to walk the path of Christ,” he said. As for those who do not wish to walk that path, the Bishop expressed sorrow, because in such cases virtues are buried deep within, and in the darkness of their lives they fail to recognize Christ’s love, which is continuously offered to them.