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Bishop Sergije visits Diocese of Timok and celebrates Liturgy at Bukovo Monastery

September 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Bishop Sergije of Bihać and Petrovac visited the Diocese of Timok on September 2, 2026, where he was welcomed by Metropolitan Ilarion of Timok at Vratna Monastery.

During his visit, Bishop Sergije also toured the Cathedral of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in Negotin and the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, known as the Old Church. Together with Metropolitan Ilarion, he paid respects at the grave of renowned Serbian hero Hajduk Veljko Petrović, located beside the church.

The following day, on the feast of Saint Rafailo of Šišatovac, Bishop Sergije presided over the Divine Liturgy at Bukovo Monastery, concelebrated by Metropolitan Ilarion and clergy.

Metropolitan Ilarion noted that an icon of Saint Rafailo was displayed for veneration at the monastery for the first time. He recalled that the saint had spent two years at Bukovo Monastery, where he devoted himself to prayer and iconography, and said that he could therefore also fittingly be called “Rafailo of Bukovo.”

Bishop Sergije thanked Metropolitan Ilarion for his fraternal hospitality and spoke about the many holy martyrs associated with the Diocese of Bihać and Petrovac and ongoing…

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (17) 🌐 Show original

Aleksandra Kaczmarek

I am glad that Bishop Sergije was in Bukowo just for the feast of St. Rafaila. It's nice that they put his icon on display there for worship for the first time - since he lived and painted there for two years, he can really be called "Rafailo from Bukowo". Thank you for reminding me of this small but important detail.

Христо Христов

Interestingly, the icon of St. Raphael was exhibited for the first time precisely on his feast day in Bukovo. He lived there for two years, prayed and painted - it makes sense that he was also called "Rafailo from Bukovo". Thanks for the news, it's good to hear about such connections between dioceses.

Николай Атанасов

Yes, exactly on his holiday to show it for the first time - as if on purpose. I am interested in whether some of the icons he painted then remained in Bukovo, or whether everything was moved elsewhere. Thanks for the news too, Christo.

Иванка Стоянова

Interestingly, it was precisely on his holiday that she was taken out for the first time - as if she had been waiting for this day. Two years in Bukovo is not a little, he must have left traces in the garden around the monastery as he prayed. Thank you, Christ, I also enjoy such connections between dioceses.

Елена Петкова

Interesting observation, Nikolai – it really looks like they've been waiting for this very day. I also wonder if some of his icons remain in Bukovo, especially after he spent two years there. Thank you for sharing, I would appreciate it if any of the Timok brothers know more.

Васил Стефанов

Yes, Nikolay, I also got the impression that it was on his holiday that they took it out for the first time - as if they had been waiting. I wonder if any of his icons are still standing in Bukovo or have they been moved to Šishatovac. If anyone from Timok knows, let me know.

Теодора Василева

Interesting, Elena, really two years is not a little - he must have left at least a few icons there. I heard that in Bukovo they still keep one of his icons of St. Raphael, which he painted during his stay. Do you know if anyone from Timok has mentioned any others?

Стоян Колев

Yes, I was also impressed by the exact coincidence with the holiday. I wonder if the icon he painted there years ago still stands in one of the Bukovo chapels. If a local knows, it's good to say, because I've been there before.

Румяна Петрова

Yes, Elena, I wonder about his icons there too. Two years in Bukovo is not a little, he must have left something besides the one that was taken out now for the holiday. If someone from Timok knows, let them know - there may be a trace of him in the garden of the monastery, he used to paint icons.

Стефан Марков

You said it interestingly, Elena. Two years in Bukovo is a time in which a person leaves traces - an icon may have remained on the altar or in his cell. I have passed by the monastery on my way to Vratna, but I have not asked about it. Did any of the brothers there mention it?

Борис Марков

Stoyan, I thought about the same thing. When I was there two years ago after the service in Bukovo, I saw an icon of his right in the small chapel next to the entrance of the monastery - it looked old, but well preserved. It might be the same. In which chapel did you notice her then?

Boris, I saw it in the same small chapel next to the entrance - old, dark, but it is clear that it was painted with love. It may indeed be the same one that was brought out now for the holiday. Do you remember if it was right next to the icon of St. Raphael or on another wall?

Иван Кирилов

Yes, Boris, I also remember that same small chapel by the entrance - last year after the liturgy in Bukovo, I stopped there to light a candle and saw the icon right on the left wall, next to the window. It looked quite old, but the colors still showed through. Did you catch fish in Timok then, or did you just go round the churches?

Мариана Петкова

Yes, Ivan, I also remember exactly this icon by the window - last fall, my husband and son and I went to the same place after the service. The colors really still hold up, especially the red on the clothes. And what time of the year do you go to Timok, was it summer time?

Богдана Митева

Ivanka, yes, it was right next to the icon of St. Raphael, to the left of the entrance. I remember it from last year, when my husband and I went to the holiday - then it was quite blackened by time, but now that it was taken out, you can see how carefully it was painted. It may indeed be the same one he did while he was there.

Методи Костов

Yes, Ivanka, I also noticed her in that chapel - it was right next to St. Raphael, on the left wall. I really liked how love can be seen in the lines, even blackened. Are you going to the Liturgy in Bukovo this year?

Десислава Петкова

Yes, Bogdana, just to the left of the entrance was the icon - last year I also saw it when we were with the girls at the holiday in Bukovo. It looked pretty dark then, but now it really shows how finely painted it is. I wonder if it was really from his hand while he was there for two years.