KEEPER OF ORTHODOXY: THE MONASTERY OF SAINT ALEXANDER NEVSKY IN UGLJEVIK
The Monastery of Saint Alexander Nevsky is located next to the main road Bijeljina-Tuzla, in Ugljevik, and represents a unique symbol of the enduring and unbreakable ties between the Russian and Serbian people.
The Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky was built for the needs of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, specifically for the Russian soldiers and officers, members of the airborne brigade within SFOR, who were stationed in Ugljevik as part of the peacekeeping mission after the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
After the Russian peacekeeping forces left for Kosovo in 1999, the church was, by decree of Russian Patriarch Alexy II, transferred to the Diocese of Zvornik-Tuzla.
Today, this holy place serves as a gathering site for the faithful from Gornje Zabrđe and the surrounding parishes.
"On July 7, 2020, it became a monastery by the wish of Bishop Fotije, and iconography was completed in 2023. The monastery is dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky so that we may live by his words: 'God is not in power, but in justice.' The monastery arose as a result of the love between two Slavic peoples," says Mother Filoteja, the abbess of the Monastery of Saint Alexander Nevsky.
The iconostasis for the church was created by the Russian artist Veniamin Mikhailovich. Next to the church, a smaller bell tower in the Russian style was built, with seven bells donated by the then Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Mikhailovich Luzhkov.
Next to this unique church, the Svetosavski Hall was built in 2012. This holy place remains as a symbol of the enduring and unbreakable close ties between the Serbian people, as well as a spiritual refuge for the faithful and pilgrims.
"In 2011, Father Jovan Mirković served here, and the fondest memories of him remain. He passed away, and then Father Serdjan Vasiljević arrived. He made great efforts to build the monastic quarters. With God's help, and with the help of the faithful people, much has been done," says Nun Filoteja.
In the meantime, the Svetosavski Hall has received a new appearance. The Cultural Center of Serbian Friendship has been beautifully arranged, as has the courtyard of the monastery. The renovation of this complex was supported by RiTE Ugljevik, the municipality of Ugljevik, Serbian spiritual organizations, and the faithful people of this region.
"Our feast day is on September 12th, and we invite all the faithful to visit us. We will have a hierarchical liturgy, a communal meal, and a cultural and artistic program. The liturgy will be served by Bishop Fotije. Saint Alexander Nevsky has come here to the western border of Orthodoxy to help us preserve the faith," says Mother Filoteja.
Since May of last year, the monastery has been cared for by Nun Filoteja, who, before arriving at this monastery, spent 12 years in the Monastery of Saint Nektarios the Wonderworker on the Greek island of Aegina.
