As yesterday’s solemn monastery celebration, dedicated to the feast day of the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner, was flowing in the evening hours in the golden rays of the sun which was setting behind Krchin, the traditional founder’s filled the holy monastery with great gratefulness towards all who throughout centuries have laid down the…
Bigorski Monastery "St John the Baptist" What the oxygen for the body is, that is the liberty for the human soul. The more self-awareness a nation has, the more it cherishes its freedom. (Iv. S) September 8th, 1991 proclaimed to the entire world the truth that Macedonia is worthy of the gift of freedom and…
Following this morning’s visit by the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania, the Holy Monastery of Bigorski was again honored this afternoon with a significant visit: His Excellency Mr. Michalis Rokas, Ambassador of the European Union to our country, arrived in its blessed courtyards.In the spirit of monastic hospitality, he was warmly received by the…
ОOn this warm July day, the Sacred Monastery of Bigorski had the honor of welcoming the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Skopje, His Excellency Mr. Denion Meidani. The Ambassador had a friendly and cordial meeting with the Elder of the monastic brotherhood, Bishop of Antania, Mr. Parthenius, with whom he discussed the monastery’s…
Upon prior invitation from the distinguished organizers – the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies – the Monastery of St. John the Baptist – Bigorski took part in the international conference Religious Diplomacy between the West and the East: The role of religion in contemporary European Affairs held from July 9…
Homily by His Grace Bishop Partenij of Antania, delivered during the Divine Liturgy in honor of the Holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul, on June 29/July 12, 2025, the Year of Our Lord In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit! My beloved, in the Symbol of Faith,…
“For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.”—1 Corinthians 4:15 With spiritual joy and reverent devotion, our sacred monastery resounded over the past vigil-day with praise and glorification unto the holy, glorious, and all-laudable chief…
Today, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the funeral and burial service was held for the souls of the victims of the terrorist attack on the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah in Damascus, Syria. The funeral rite was officiated by His Beatitude, the Patriarch of Antioch, at the Church of the Holy Cross in the Kassa…
† B A R T H O L O M E W By God’s Mercy, Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch * * * To the Plenitude of the Church: May God’s Grace and Peace be with you! We offer a hymn of thanks to the almighty, all-seeing, and benevolent God in Trinity, who…
Bathed in the gracious light of the Paschal season and beneath the azure canopy of the May sky, the ancient Bigorski Monastery was once again transformed into a quiet, inspired artistic scene, thanks to the unique children’s art colony “Small Bitola Montmartre.” The Sanctuary of Saint John the Baptist, by the blessing of our Elder…
By the mercy and goodwill of the all-good God, once again this year—for the sixteenth time—the heavenly blessing was poured out upon the city of Struga through the holy and solemn Litija (Eordia) in honor of the glorious Trophy-Bearer, the Holy Great-Martyr George. The Eordia, which was revived through spiritual zeal and love for God…
In a grace-filled and prayerful atmosphere, the Monastery of Rajchica celebrated its patronal feast—the radiant annual commemoration of the holy, glorious, and victorious Great-Martyr George. With spiritual joy and reverent gratitude toward the heavenly protector of the Rajchica monastic community, a festive Vespers service was held on the eve of the feast, presided over with…
Homily by His Grace Bishop Partenij of Antania, delivered during the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Holy Great-Martyr George the Trophy-Bearer in Rajchica, on May 6th, 2023, the Year of the Lord Beloved, We have gathered today in liturgical assembly in this holy temple, to glorify with one voice and heart the Holy…
Homily of His Grace Bishop Partenij of Antania, delivered at the Vespers Service in honor of the Holy Great-Martyr George the Trophy-Bearer at the Bigorski Metochion in Rajchica, on May 5th, 2025, the Year of the Lord Christ is Risen! Very Reverend and Honorable Fathers,Venerable Monks and Nuns, Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,, We…
“Sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth! Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day!” The Paschal joy, like a river of grace, continues its quiet yet powerful flow, transforming and sanctifying everything it touches—every soul, all of creation. On the Second…
Illumined by the uncreated Light of Christ’s Resurrection, and warmed by the overflowing grace that pours forth on this most radiant and life-giving Feast, our souls tremble with joyful awe, and our minds are enlightened by the eternal brilliance of the Day without evening. With hearts full of gratitude and with songs too fragile to…
“Come, receive the Light from the unwaning Light, and glorify Christ, Who is risen from the dead!” In the brilliance of this night—brighter than any day—when all creation falls silent before the glory of the invincible Light, the Sacred Monastery of Bigorski was once again illumined by the uncreated beauty of Christ’s Resurrection. At the…
Homily of His Grace, Bishop Partenij of Antania, on Holy Pascha 2025 CHRIST IS RISEN! Powerful and essential words! Words of immense transforming power! For only in Christianity, only in the light of the Gospel, the term Resurrection is not merely a word—it is a proven and lived reality. When we greet one another with…
On this Holy and Great Saturday, when all of creation stands in mystical silence before the majesty of Christ’s rest in the Tomb following His all-saving work, the Sacred Monastery of Bigorski enters into the height of sacred expectation—the moment just before the cosmic brilliance of Life bursts forth. On the evening of Great Friday,…
Today, creation has crucified its own Creator. What more dreadful sight has the Sun beheld, that it veiled its light? What greater wound has the Earth endured, that it trembled and split asunder? What can compare with such an atrocity—worthy of eternal judgment and torment? Yet He, the All-pure, All-merciful, Sinless One, cried out: “Father,…
