Bigorski Monastery: The Political Commander of Mount Athos Alcibiades Stefanis at the festival of the Holy Forerunnertranslated

The memory of the Holy Forerunner's Birthday was solemnly celebrated at the Holy Monastery of Bigorski, in the presence of the Political Commander of Mount Athos, Alcibiades Stefanis.  In his address during the holy vigil, the Professor of the Holy Monastery, Bishop of Antania, Mr. Parthenios, referred to the presence of Mr. Stefanis at the celebration, as well as to clergy from the Church of Greece who were at the historic monastery in Skopje to honor the Holy Forerunner.

In his speech, Theophilastos said:

On this blessed evening, when the Spirit of God leads us to the vigil for the bright and joyous Birthday of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, the heart of the Bigorski Monastery, Holy to us, is filled with special gratitude, rapture and spiritual joy. Because this night is not just another gathering of prayer, but a secret continuation of that joy that began in the house of the righteous Zacharias and Elizabeth, when, after many prayers, silence, tears and anticipation, the voice of the Word, the lamp of the Sun, the Forerunner of the Savior was born.

Saint John is the one who stands on the border between the old and the…