Bishops of the Serbian and Macedonian Orthodox Churches gathered in Cetinje on September 1 for a Divine Liturgy and prayer service marking the beginning of the new academic year at Cetinje Monastery.

Bishop Marko of Delchevo-Kamenica of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of Ohrid celebrated the Divine Liturgy and the service of prayer for the new school year. Archbishop Joanikije of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church was also present in prayer, according to the website of the Metropolitanate.

Students of the Saint Peter of Cetinje Orthodox Theological Seminary attended the service. The institution is the oldest secondary school in Montenegro. Following the prayer service, Bishop Marko addressed the seminarians, offering them pastoral guidance at the beginning of the new academic year.

The bishop emphasized the particular responsibility associated with theological education. Students, he said, are called not only to acquire knowledge of the faith but also to pass that knowledge on to others in the future.

Bishop Marko noted that “theologian” is a special title that the Church has given to only a small number of saints, including Saint John the Theologian, Saint Symeon the New Theologian and Saint Gregory the Theologian. For this reason, he said, education at a theological seminary should be understood as both a cross and a serious vocation of service.

He also highlighted the importance of the seminarians’ education taking place beside Cetinje Monastery, one of Montenegro’s historic spiritual centers. The monastery houses the relics of Saint Peter of Cetinje as well as the right hand of Saint John the Baptist.

According to Bishop Marko, these holy relics should serve future clergy as examples of Christian life and as a reminder of the path toward communion with God.

At the conclusion of the service, those present were sprinkled with holy water, accompanied by prayers for the enlightenment of their hearts and minds.

Later that day, Bishop Marko visited the Saint Peter of Cetinje Theological Seminary together with Archpriest Zharko Mitskovski of Tetovo. They were welcomed by the seminary’s rector, Archpriest Blagoje Rajkovic, and members of the teaching staff.

The bishop was briefed on the history of the institution and its contemporary life. At the end of the visit, he gave his blessing to the teachers and students for the new academic year.