Translated by: Ksenija Ninić

Unlike previous years, on the last day of Praying octave for Christian unity in the Orthodox cathedral in Sarajevo, there were more priests and believers gathered, catholic and orthodox monks, nuns and students. In the name of Vrhbosna Archdiocese, with cardinal Vinko, there were: msgr. Luka Tunjić general vicar of the Archdiocese, msgr. Ivo Tomašević, secretary of the Bishop's Conference of BiH and venerable Mladen Kalfić, the archdiocese chancellor.

After the reading of liturgical readings and after the Metropolit of Dabrobosna Hrizostom announced the Gospel, archbishop Puljić said the appropriate homily. „In this honourable Cathedral, we are finishing our praying octave. That is the main reason of our gathering, that is why I sincerely salute High priest Metropolit of Dabrobosna mr. Hrizostom (...) In this praying octave highlight was put on the Word of God that is the source of hope and strength in all temptations (...) Firstly, embodiment of God's word is the biggest strength of unity. He left us a message at the Last supper for all to be one, as He is in Father, the Father in Him by the Holy Spirit. That unity of God's Spirit we pray for“, said cardinal Puljić.

„'We as Christians should lighten the world and lighten the path of salvation' those are the words of the High priest, that I deeply agree with. That is why I hope our praying and ecumenical dialogue will crash prejudices and train us in this surroundings to shine to the world as Christ's students, who are inspired and live off of the Word of God“, emphasised the Archbishop of Vrhbosna and in the end said that we „should want and do what Jesus expects and wants from us – He is the centre of our relations and endeavours“.

At the end, Mr. Hrizostom addressed the present and thanked. „Our Lord, even with all our weaknesses, encouraged us and strengthened us to be closer to one another. Through this praying octave, we got closer to God – the centre of our togetherness and unity so we became closer to each other. We praise the Lord for this and pray that he even with our weaknesses and our paths keep us safe and guide our steps to the path of salvation (...) We express our great hope that we will, in the days and years ahead of us, truly be the witnesses of God's love – to each other and to all the people“, said in the end the Metropolit of Dabrobosna.

The praying meeting was glorified with a harmonious a capella singing of the Serbian singing society Sloga.

KT