Canberra: Ambassador Stefanović at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the monastery of Saint Sava in Elaine

The holy bishop's liturgy was served by Bishop Siluan of Australia and New Zealand, with the concurrence of Archimandrite Methodius, abbot of the Hilandar Monastery, Archimandrite Teodor (Bojović), abbot of Saint Sava Monastery in Elaine, as well as numerous clergy of the Metropolis of Australia and New Zealand. After the service, in a solemn procession from the temple of St. Sava to the temple of St. Olimpius Stolpnik, the miraculous icon of the Holy Theotokos of Elaine was brought into its new throne. Marking of the anniversary was attended by numerous representatives of the Serbian community from different parts of Australia.

Ambassador Stefanović expressed his satisfaction with the fact that he was attending such a significant anniversary for the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people in Australia. He said that the state of Serbia was firmly determined to further strengthen ties with its diaspora, as well as that he saw significant potential in the Serbian community for the improvement of overall relations between Serbia and Australia.

Bishop Siluan spoke about the significance of this anniversary, as well as the „spiritual mission“ of the monastery in Elaine during its fifty years of existence. He particularly highlighted the fact and the presence of the Ambassador of Serbia, which showed, as he stated, the great care and commitment of the home country.