TESLIĆ GETS ITS FIRST MONASTERY – A HOLY SANCTUARY ON KRSTOVA GORA

Teslić has officially received its first monastery. The Church of the Holy Cross, located on Krstova Gora near the town, has been designated as a women’s monastery by the decision of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, following a visit by Metropolitan Fotije of Zvornik-Tuzla on the Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.

PHOTO: Provjereno

In early March, the first nuns will arrive at Krstova Gora, and the monastery will be open to visitors every day. The Provjereno.info team visited the site and, through conversations with the local clergy, learned that the faithful people of this region have earned this sacred place through their devotion and dedication to the church. The monastery is seen as the crown of Teslić’s parishes.

Every prayer, vow, and donation, every hand that helped build the church, and every heart that has offered prayers over the years, has now been cemented into a sanctuary that will shine above the town forever, protecting its faithful people.

The journey of this sacred site began in 2001 when the people of Teslić erected an impressive 33-meter-high cross, symbolizing the 33 years of Christ’s life. This cross has since become a landmark for visitors to Teslić. Regardless of the direction from which one approaches the town, the first thing that stands out is this cross. Over time, it became a gathering place, particularly on young Sundays.

The current Church of the Holy Cross, along with its accompanying complex, was built between 2014 and 2025. Construction began in 2014, featuring a central dome and a bell tower with a large church bell. The church’s interior boasts a stone iconostasis and granite flooring. Iconography work began in 2022 and is still ongoing. Since 2020, the focus has shifted to constructing additional facilities, including a summer house with restrooms, a candle-burning area with a shop and an office, and a gate with a memorial fountain at the entrance to the churchyard.

By 2024, infrastructure works were completed, including the asphalted access road, a parking lot for visitors, modern lighting, and a surveillance system covering the entire complex. A stone mosaic was laid on the sidewalks and stairways, and a memorial fountain was built. Additionally, a stone model of the Ostrog Monastery, crafted by sculptor Željko Aleksić from Trebinje, was installed. This year, the construction of monastic quarters with cells is planned on the eastern side beneath the cross.

This area has deep historical roots dating back to the Roman Empire. During the excavation of the church’s foundations, a spear from that period was discovered.

Local residents expressed immense pride in their new monastery. In these dark and challenging times, when people are often alienated due to the fast pace of modern life and Western influences, many have distanced themselves from their faith. However, the people of Teslić have found spiritual refuge on Krstova Gora.

While many today forget their roots, traditions, and spirituality, the residents of this region have come together around their clergy, becoming true benefactors and leaving a lasting spiritual legacy.