Feast of Saint Nikodim Milaš celebrated for the first time in Šibenik
In the birthplace of the great Bishop of Dalmatia, Saint Nikodim Milaš, the feast dedicated to him was solemnly celebrated for the first time on 4 October 2025.
In the presence of a great number of faithful who filled the Church of the Holy Savior in Šibenik, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served, and the relics of Saint Nikodim were brought out for veneration by the faithful. The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan of Kruševac kyr David, with the concelebration of His Eminence Metropolitan of Dalmatia kyr Nikodim and Their Graces Bishops Sergije of Bihać-Petrovac, and Isihije of Valjevo. A large number of believers who could not enter the church followed the service via a video screen set up in the church courtyard.
The first to address the gathering was the host, His Eminence Metropolitan of Dalmatia kyr Nikodim, who welcomed all those present and emphasized: “This day is a great joy for the Orthodox people in Dalmatia. We have gathered today to celebrate the canonization of Saint Nikodim Milaš, Bishop of Dalmatia, a great confessor of Orthodoxy from among our own people, us Dalmatians. Throughout his life he constantly showed love for the Church – not only through his deeds but also through his writings – and I can say that he was one of the greatest theologians of the Serbian Orthodox Church after Saint Sava. Dear brothers and sisters, we should be proud to have such a saint from our people, whose holy relics will be enshrined in this church, where we will be able to come to venerate them and pray to the Lord that he may be our intercessor before the Throne of the Most High.”
His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodim expressed his gratitude to the attending hierarchs and gave the floor to Metropolitan of Kruševac kyr David: “This day has been long in preparation, for decades. Many wonderful people have worked toward it: His Eminence Metropolitan of Zvornik and Tuzla kyr Fotije and his associates, many learned theologians and scholars of our sacred literature, and, of course, our host, His Eminence Metropolitan of Dalmatia kyr Nikodim, who is also organizing a major international symposium on the life and work of our remarkable confessor, Saint Nikodim Milaš,” said Metropolitan of Kruševac.
Speaking about the events from the life of the newly glorified saint, the Metropolitan emphasized the immense importance of his theological works – especially in the field of ecclesiastical and canon law – as well as his tireless efforts to preserve the identity and improve the daily life of his compatriots. Metropolitan David also recalled the event of the translation of Saint Nikodim Milaš’s coffin with his earthly remains from Dubrovnik to Šibenik, which testifies to the profound respect he enjoyed in Dalmatia and throughout the Orthodox world. Numerous articles published in various journals and newspapers as early as 1930 bear witness to that magnificent event, attended by countless influential figures of the time, as well as throngs of both Orthodox and Catholic faithful.
The immeasurable richness of the life and work of Saint Bishop Nikodim Milaš has left us with an inexhaustible source of inspiration for study and reflection. One such lecture will be held at the Krka Monastery on 7 October 2025, at 6 p.m., when His Eminence Metropolitan of Kruševac kyr David will speak on the topic “On Holiness in the Light of the Canonization of Saint Nikodim Milaš.”
In the presence of a great number of faithful who filled the Church of the Holy Savior in Šibenik, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was served, and the relics of Saint Nikodim were brought out for veneration by the faithful. The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan of Kruševac kyr David, with the concelebration of His Eminence Metropolitan of Dalmatia kyr Nikodim and Their Graces Bishops Sergije of Bihać-Petrovac, and Isihije of Valjevo. A large number of believers who could not enter the church followed the service via a video screen set up in the church courtyard.
The first to address the gathering was the host, His Eminence Metropolitan of Dalmatia kyr Nikodim, who welcomed all those present and emphasized: “This day is a great joy for the Orthodox people in Dalmatia. We have gathered today to celebrate the canonization of Saint Nikodim Milaš, Bishop of Dalmatia, a great confessor of Orthodoxy from among our own people, us Dalmatians. Throughout his life he constantly showed love for the Church – not only through his deeds but also through his writings – and I can say that he was one of the greatest theologians of the Serbian Orthodox Church after Saint Sava. Dear brothers and sisters, we should be proud to have such a saint from our people, whose holy relics will be enshrined in this church, where we will be able to come to venerate them and pray to the Lord that he may be our intercessor before the Throne of the Most High.”
His Eminence Metropolitan Nikodim expressed his gratitude to the attending hierarchs and gave the floor to Metropolitan of Kruševac kyr David: “This day has been long in preparation, for decades. Many wonderful people have worked toward it: His Eminence Metropolitan of Zvornik and Tuzla kyr Fotije and his associates, many learned theologians and scholars of our sacred literature, and, of course, our host, His Eminence Metropolitan of Dalmatia kyr Nikodim, who is also organizing a major international symposium on the life and work of our remarkable confessor, Saint Nikodim Milaš,” said Metropolitan of Kruševac.
Speaking about the events from the life of the newly glorified saint, the Metropolitan emphasized the immense importance of his theological works – especially in the field of ecclesiastical and canon law – as well as his tireless efforts to preserve the identity and improve the daily life of his compatriots. Metropolitan David also recalled the event of the translation of Saint Nikodim Milaš’s coffin with his earthly remains from Dubrovnik to Šibenik, which testifies to the profound respect he enjoyed in Dalmatia and throughout the Orthodox world. Numerous articles published in various journals and newspapers as early as 1930 bear witness to that magnificent event, attended by countless influential figures of the time, as well as throngs of both Orthodox and Catholic faithful.
The immeasurable richness of the life and work of Saint Bishop Nikodim Milaš has left us with an inexhaustible source of inspiration for study and reflection. One such lecture will be held at the Krka Monastery on 7 October 2025, at 6 p.m., when His Eminence Metropolitan of Kruševac kyr David will speak on the topic “On Holiness in the Light of the Canonization of Saint Nikodim Milaš.”