On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the guest of the Morning Programme of the Television “Hram” („The Temple“) was catechist Branislav Ilić. The topic of the conversation, which was led by journalist Jana Okilj, was the remembrance of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos „It is Very Meet“, as well as the significance of church mission in the life of a contemporary man.
At the beginning of the conversation, catechist Branislav introduced the viewers to the most important facts from the lives of the holy apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, emphasizing that their apostolic work included not only preaching, mission work, the appointment of bishops to newly founded churches, but also the miracles and healings that they performed in the name of God. According to the catechist Branislav, the remembrance of Saints Bartholomew and Barnabas has been solemnly celebrated for centuries, thus continuing their apostolic work, as we sing in the prokeimenon: “Their words and have gone forth throughout the universe ” (Ps. 18:5). The introductory part of the conversation was crowned with a lesson on the necessity of following the example of the holy apostles who greatly pleased the Lord with the strength of their faith and love.
In the spirit of the remembrance of the holy apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, Jana Okilj’s guest recalled the importance of the church in Rakovica, which is dedicated to the aforementioned apostles, in whose construction the holy priest Hieromartyr Nedeljko (Streličić) and Blessed Serbian Patriarch Varnava /Barnabas/ (Rosić), one of the founders of the aforementioned shrine, participated. Branislav especially emphasized the great pastoral work of the holy martyr-priest Nedeljko Streličić, who bravely and with dignity carried the heavy cross of the ministry entrusted to him, leaving to the future generations a precious seed of faith.
Jana Okilj and catechist Branislav Ilić also devoted attention to the topic of the prayerful patronage of the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as to the miraculous icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, among which is the icon „It is Very Meet”, preserved in Kareya today, whose depiction and significance was discussed in detail by the TV guest. In the joy of remembering the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos „It is Truly Meet“, catechist Branislav Ilić recalled biblical scenes in Vračar during the stay of the Miraculous Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, expressing the hope that this momentous blessing will remain in our hearts for a long time and testify to the love that the Mother of God, as many times before, has shown towards us.
On the occasion of the ten-year anniversary of the portal “Riznica” („Treasury“), catechist Branislav Ilić introduced the viewers of „Hram“ television to the importance and purpose of the existence of this website on which several thousand spiritually edifying content, both textual and multimedia have been published. According to Jana Okilj’s guest, the portal „Riznica“ has, during its ten-year existence, witnessed the importance of systematically placing catechetical content on the Internet, especially as an expression of care for the young who hunger and thirst for the true word of God. Thus, the “Riznica” portal has become a well-known source from which everyone, especially young seekers of God, are nourished with the mysteries of theological thought.
In the final part of the conversation, catechist Branislav Ilić spoke about the exaltated status of theology, reminding us that for young theologians and students of the Orthodox Theological Faculty, the most important thing is to recognize God’s calling, to answer it and to spare no effort when it comes to advancing in the field of theology. He also emphasized that in obedience to the appointed bishop, young theologians are learning the sacred ecclesial order about which Saint Ignatius of Antioch theologized as early as the second century, teaching that our deeds should be attuned to the bishop’s will, since he is the vessel through whom the will of God is revealed.
Source: Portal Kinonia
