AFTER 24 YEARS, THE BELLS ON THE ORTHODOX HOLY SHRINE SOUNDED: Liturgy was held in the church in Mostar (VIDEO)

The gathering church of Holy Trinity in Mostar, which is under construction, celebrated two days ago its patron saint, the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles - Trinity day, and for the first time after 24 years, the bells of the church sounded. 

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The liturgy was held by a devoted elder of the church archpriest Aleksa Zubac with the audience of numerous clergy of zahumsko Herzegovinian and coastal eparchy.

He reminded that the last service was held under the roof of the church in April 1992 on Easter, and he expressed his desire for the next year to hold the liturgy under the copper roof instead of the sky one.

The Mostar priest Radivoje Krulj expect for the church to be covered by the end of the year.

Foto-montaža: Wikimedia/Flickr/Tony Hisgett, pixabay.com

- The works began on the central dome, and this year we should be able to finish the belfry and cover up the church, if the promises fulfill that we received from the Serbian government and the government of the federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Krulj.

He added that they would finish the constructions in that way, but there is a lot of work to be done on decorating the church and decorating the stalls. We are working rather slowly now because of the limited funding.

- As the bells called the believers to the prayer, to help us God, they always call the believers, and to give all citizens of this city peace, love and coexistence - said priest Krulj, adding that as the church grows, so will the number of followers grow.

Mostar mayor Ljubi Beslic congratulated the patron day to the church and expressed hope that the church will be one of the most beautiful objects in the city and will shine in its brightest.

- I hope that Mostar will shine at its best. Serbian community is a part of this as well and i hope it will stay that way. Mostar is truly multi ethnic city and it is important for Serbs to feel like they are home, as well as two other folk -said Beslic.

Foto: mojahercegovina.com

The holy patron godfather is Radoslav Radjenovic from Belgrade and he said that he has good connections and nice memories with friends and good people from Mostar and that's why he said he wanted to be the godfather.

- I fell in love with Mostar, and Mostar well in love with me - added Radjenovic.

Serbs in Mostar with anticipation expect the construction of the church, because it is one of the symbols of this city on the river Neretva, but also a symbol of Serbian identity in this city, and also in the Balkans. 

The gathering church in Mostar, which was build in 1873, was one of the most beautiful and the biggest orthodox temples on the Balkans, it was set on fire on Trinity day in 1992, and after that it was bombed by Croatian armed forces.  

On the celebration of the Holy Patron day many followers gathered, but also the representatives of the cantonal authorities, east Herzegovina municipalities and of Catholic church.

Its rebuild started in 2008 and it is the only religious object that has never been restored. The church is protected as a national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina and also by UNESCO.

Watch the video:

(Telegraf.co.uk)