In honor of the great Macedonian holiday Ilinden, the traditional cavalry “The Path of the Cherry Cannon” once again made its annual pilgrimage to the Holy Bigorski Monastery. This year, for the fifteenth time, Bigorski hosted the Ilinden event “Bigorski Monastery – The Path of the Cherry Cannon.”
With the blessing of our Elder and Abbot, Bishop Parthenius of Antania, a group of young patriotic komitas arrived at the Monastery last night. These brave young people, dressed in traditional komita costumes, with great dedication and love for their homeland, continue the tradition of the Ilindenians.
This morning, the horsemen participated in the Holy Liturgy in the church of St. John the Baptist, where our brother, Archimandrite Dositej, performed a prayer blessing for their march to Krushevo. In his sermon, Archimandrite Dositej encouraged the young to emulate the efforts and sacrifices of our ancestors, highlighting the importance of love for God and the homeland.
“Today, as we celebrate St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, who wrote the book ‘Invisible Warfare,’ we are reminded that although we do not have a physical uprising like our ancestors, we still fight a battle – the inner battle of the spirit. St. Nicodemus teaches us that the greatest battle is the one within our heart and mind. His words remind us that we must fight against our passions, sins, and weaknesses, just as our ancestors fought for freedom. This ‘invisible warfare’ is essential for our spiritual growth and our relationship with God,” stated Archimandrite Dositej.
After the liturgy, the horsemen took an oath of loyalty to the revolutionary liberation cause in front of the Holy Scriptures, a revolver, and a dagger, the same oath once taken by all members of the Macedonian Revolutionary Organization. This act symbolizes their dedication and determination to keep the memory of our struggle for freedom alive.
The Holy Bigorski Monastery has deep historical roots in the fight for Macedonian freedom. During the Ilinden Uprising, the monks of Bigorski Monastery actively participated in the preparations for the uprising. One of the most famous and significant activities of the monks was the creation of the Cherry Cannon, which was used as a weapon in the fight. These improvised cannons, made from cherry wood, were a symbol of the ingenuity and determination of our ancestors in their struggle for freedom. The monks crafted these cannons with great precision and skill, and they became an important part of the Ilinden fighters’ armament.
The president of the association “Bigorski Monastery – The Path of the Cherry Cannon,” Mr. Manojil Jakovleski, in his address, expressed special gratitude to our Elder and the brotherhood for their tireless patriotic work and selfless support in realizing this event.
At noon, the horsemen continued their journey to Krushevo, where on August 2nd, the central Ilinden celebration will take place. This event not only unites the Macedonian people but also encourages the youth to learn and respect their history and tradition.
May your journey to our glorious Krushevo be blessed by God, and may the memory of Krushevo and the Uprising remain forever deeply etched in our hearts!
