Doni Brceli monastery burned down

In recent days, Montenegro has been going through a serious ordeal related to the sad event - the fire at the monastery of Don Brceli. On the night of December 17, a fire broke out, which took away the monastery dormitory. Although the fire was quickly extinguished, the monastery had to part with the century-old building.

Metropolitan John of Montenegro and Primorye appealed to the faithful to support the monastery during its restoration. Sunday in the main church of Podgorica became evidence of a charity event aimed at helping the affected monastery.

"Last night, the hostel of the Brcela monastery burned down, only the walls remained. Unfortunately, the brothers were left without a roof over their heads. Let's restore the monastery with God's help. When temptations come, it is a test from the Lord to strengthen our faith and our unity and mutual love. The Lord has allowed temptation - and we must respond to it by coming to the rescue," the Metropolitan of Montenegro said in a sermon after the liturgy.

According to the press service of the Budimlian-Niksic Diocese of the Serbian Church, the monastery of Nizhni Brceli, also known as Don Brceli, is located in the southern part of Montenegro, 10 kilometers from the city of Bar. This spiritual center was founded in the first decades of the XV century by Elena Balsic, the daughter of Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanovic and the wife of the ruler Zeta George II Balsic.

The monastery has played a significant role in the history of Montenegro, serving as a spiritual, political and cultural center. His church of St. Nicholas, also known as the Cathedral of the Crmnica Nahiya, has become a symbol of faith for the region. The educational role of the monastery was no less important. In the 19th century, the first eight-year rural school was opened here on the initiative of Prince Peter II Petrovich Negosh.

The sad event, accompanied by a call for help, became a challenge for the community. After the fire was extinguished, only the walls of the monastery remained, and the brethren were without a roof over their heads. The restoration of the monastery became a priority, and the faithful responded to the metropolitan's call. A club gathering in support of the monastery in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica raised the funds necessary to begin restoration work.

The burned-down dormitory bears not only a material, but also a spiritual loss for the monastery and the entire region. However, in the words of the metropolitan there is hope and a call for community, emphasizing that in difficult moments unity and love become especially important. Believers and people of good will can take part in the restoration of the monastery, contributing to the preservation of this historical and spiritual heritage of Montenegro.