Serbian Patriarch Porfirije leads services in Banja Luka to mark Serb Republic Day

Photo: Tanjug/MEDIA BIRO

The celebration of January 9, the Serb Republic Day, started with holy Orthodox liturgy in the Cathedral Church of Christ the Savior in Banja Luka, with services led by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, who was welcomed by a large number of believers in front of the temple, reports RTRS.

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The patriarch was assisted by their eminences, bishops Jefrem from Banja Luka, Sergije from Bihac-Petrovac, Dimitrije from Zahum-Herzegovina, Metodije from Niksic, vicar bishop Sava, and priests and deacons of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The holy liturgy is attended by President of the Serb Republic (RS, Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina) Milorad Dodik, Minister of RS Economy and Entrepreneurship Vojin Mitrovic, Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Djokic, Minister of Science and Technology Development and Higher Education Zeljko Budimir, the delegate representing Serb people in the House of Peoples of the BiH (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Parliamentary Assembly Snjezana Novakovic Bursac.

Also in attendance are Minister of Defense of Serbia Milos Vucevic, Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army Milan Mojsilovic, and Mayor of Banja Luka Drasko Stanivukovic.

The liturgy is also attended by representatives of the Third Infantry (Serb Republic) Regiment within the Armed Forces of BiH, and of associations arising from the Defense-Patriotic War, and numerous citizens and believers.

Before the liturgy, a welcome was organized for Patriarch Porfirije in front of the Banja Luka cathedral church.

(Telegraf.rs)