Montenegrin capital gathers record number of cross procession participants

70 thousand people took to the streets of Podgorica. Photo:mitropolija.com

On February 23, 2020, a pray-in service in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica gathered the largest ever number of people, opposed to the anti-church law on religious freedom. This was reported by the press service of the Montenegrin-Littoral Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

An area of ​​20 thousand square meters was already completely occupied by the protesters, while the tail of the procession only approached the Cathedral. Members of the SOC estimated that 70 thousand faithful Montenegrins gathered for the procession, RIA Novosti reports.

The protesters included pilgrims who traveled to Podgorica from Belgrade for twelve days on foot, as well as pilgrims from different parts of Montenegro.

The prayer and procession were led by the abbot of the ancient monastery of Visoki Decani in Kosovo and Metohija, Archimandrite Sava Janic.

“By protecting shrines, brothers and sisters, we protect our homes, our families, our name, our language, our dignity, everything that makes us who we are,” the Archimandrite said to those present.

He recalled that shrines are lighthouses that shine like beacons in the dark and indicate the path of God, the path of salvation.

As reported by the UOJ, the musical band “Beogradski sindikat”, which was supposed to perform in Montenegro at a protest rally with a song against the adoption of the law on religious freedom, was denied entry to Montenegro.

Read also

ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill

Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown

Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.

Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions

A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.

Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law

Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.

Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment

The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.

Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful

Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.