On Friday, May 8, 2026, the guest of the Morning Programme of „Hram“ Television was catechist Branislav Ilić. The topic of the conversation, which was led by journalist Jana Okilj, was the commemoration of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the ancient Liturgy and the Gospel attributed to this apostle.
At the beginning of the conversation, catechist Branislav expressed his delight that it is taking place in the days that exude special spiritual joy. In the spirit of commemoration of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, he recalled important details from the life of the saint who belongs to the order of the seventy apostles. According to catechist Branislav, the apostle Mark evolved alongside the apostle Peter with whom he was in strong spiritual communion, which is why it is no coincidence that the apostle Peter on one occasion calls him his son. It was also pointed out that the Apostle Mark was the nephew of the Apostle Barnabas and a companion of the Apostle Paul on one of his missionary journeys. It was concluded that this apostle revived Alexandria and Egypt through his missionary activity, which is why he is rightly considered the founder of the Church of Alexandria.
Speaking about the gospel attributed to the Apostle Mark, catechist Branislav pointed out that it is the oldest and shortest gospel in the New Testament canon. Summarizing the content of the Gospel of Mark, he said that in this New Testament writing, the Apostle Mark pays special attention to the miracles and signs of Christ, and writes more about what the Lord did than about what the Lord said.
In the spirit of the conversation, the guest of the TV station “Hram” spoke about the ancient Liturgy of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, pointing out that it is somewhat younger than the Liturgy of James, and that it was served daily in the Patriarchate of Alexandria until the 13th century. Introducing the viewers to the observance of this Liturgy, the catechist from Novi Sad mentioned some of the prayers in which the areas of Alexandria and Egypt are mentioned, as well as the river Nile. In addition, Branislav spoke about the great work of the Hilandar hieromonk Hrizostom/Chrysostom (Stolić), later the Bishop of Banat and subsequently the Bishop of Žiča, thanks to whose efforts in 1998 a translation of this ancient Liturgy came out, which is now served in the Church once a year, on the day of the commemoration of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark.
The guest of Jana Okilj spoke about the prayerful veneration of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark in our nation, and especially about the churches dedicated to him throughout the Serbian Orthodox Church, mentioning St. Mark’s Day (Markovdan) procession that is organized on the day of remembrance of Saint Mark in the streets of Podgorica, a birthplace our medieval ruler, Grand Prince Stefan Nemanja. Catechist Branislav unequivocally emphasized that the Apostle Mark is the prayerful patron of those who are entrusted with any form of service in the mission of the Church.
At the end of the conversation, Branislav Ilić sent heartfelt prayerful wishes to the viewers and expressed hope that the prayerful patronage of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, the great preacher of the word of God’s love, will always be with us and inspire us to persevere on the path of salvation.
Source: Portal Kinonija
