Novi Stjenik Patronal Feastday of St John the Baptist

 

Our wilderness welcomed again the birthday of our patron saint, the great flower of the wilderness, St John, protector of our monastery, with all of the usual joy and a surprising lack of temptations that have been wont to happen over the years (mostly bad weather).  An enthusiastic group of our faithful gathered from all over Serbia and abroad to join in the celebration of our glorious patron. The days leading up to the feastday flew by, full of much work to prepare for the festive occasion; everywhere from the church to the chicken coop got a thorough cleaning, everywhere which could house guests was tidied, beds made, menus planned, grass mowed, church linens washed and ironed, and even some side projects on the very eve of the feast were finished thanks to all of the extra help. After a festive Vespers for the eve of the feast, the preparations lasted late into the night. 

It is fitting that St John, the voice from the wilderness which was heard all over the world,  gathered people from all over Serbia and abroad to take part in this desert celebration. Bishop Nektarije of Shumadia conducted a festive hierarchical liturgy with the participation of several of our priests, including Fr Oleg from Moldavia. We were also honored with the attendance of  Abbess Amvrosia from Bulgaria with her sisters and Fr George of the Russian Church Abroad from France.  It was also a joy as always to welcome our local friends, the loyal and rugged Vlachs, some of whom came for miles by tractor.  

A new brotherhood of seasoned monks which has been gathering also joined us. It was a marvel to see such a varied group of people gathered in these wild mountains, but we have found that this is St. John’s custom, especially on such occasions. In the evening there was even one last guest, one traveler who had gotten lost and whose city car had gotten stuck in the muddy mountain roads. The unintentional pilgrim explained that she had seen the monastery as she was passing by, intending to move on to her destination and return another time, but clearly St John had other plans because her vehicle got stuck and she was forced to come to the monastery by foot, braving the mountain roads at night for four kilometers and surprising us late that evening. But even this seeming mishap seemed providential to everyone. Who knows why St John brought her to us?  

The Holy Hierarchical Liturgy was followed by a festive meal, at which the food prepared the previous evening with so much effort was relished as it should be; toasts were exchanged and well wishes shared. Many of the visitors enjoyed walking around the monastery grounds and enjoying the beautiful surroundings and the antics of our many animals.  Of course the donkey Rada, who always comes out to see the guests, was the biggest celebrity.

Light-hearted banter mingled with edifying spiritual talks as everyone basked in the grace of the day.  The weather remained clear, if with a bracing wind, into the evening. With many willing hands, the work to serve and then clear away was all easily and quickly accomplished.  To our amazement, by the end of the day everything was tidied up as if nothing had happened, with nothing but joy in our hearts remaining after the feast. It was truly a blessed occasion and we are so grateful to St John for all of his many blessings.