On Monday, June 8, 2026, the guest of the Morning Programme of Radio-Svetigora was catechist Branislav Ilić. The topic of the conversation, which was led by journalist Nevena Marić, was the Miraculous Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, the blessing of the presence of this shrine in Belgrade for several days, the importance of the Church’s mission and the role of religious education in the spiritual development of young people.
At the beginning of the conversation, catechist Branislav introduced the listeners to the history and significance of the Miraculous Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, which, according to him, represents a great expression of God’s love and His fatherly care for us, because through this sacred relic we receive God’s blessing and the prayerful patronage of the Most Holy Theotokos.
In the spirit of the great spiritual joy that the Miraculous Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos brought with its presence for several days under the arches of the Temple of Saint Sava, the guest of Radio-Svetigora emphasized that the Lord manifests His love for us in various ways, and a great expression of God’s love which is also a kind of a miracle is the arrival of the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos. According to the catechist Branislav, this was a significant historical event whose magnitude we are unable to process now, but instead we need a certain time lapse, in order to acquire a clearer picture.
The guest of Nevena Marić shared his impressions from Vračar with the listeners of Radio-Svetigora. He emphasized that thousands of devotees have been bearing witness to a living and active faith for days, and that, waiting in a several miles long line, they participated in an uninterrupted procession that lasted from Spasovdan (the Ascension) to Saturday, June 6, along the streets of Belgrade. Catechist Branislav testified that during the days of the presence of the Miraculous Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, miraculous peace reigned over Belgrade, when even the birds glorified God with their praise. Branislav said that it is necessary for us now to preserve this fervour of faith, so that by multiplying virtue and good deeds we remain experienced participants in the grace that has visited us.
On the occasion of the recently celebrated feast of the Missionary Department of the Archbishopric of Belgrade-Karlovci, of which he is a member, catechist Branislav spoke about the importance of mission in today’s time, emphasizing that mission is an apostolic assignment to which all Christians are called. According to him, the late Metropolitan Amfilohije was a great worker in the field of mission, so it is no coincidence that he remains a role model for most of those who are today involved in the official mission of our local Church. He concluded that mission involves both word and deed, that is, that what we preach must be confirmed by our deeds.
In the final part of the conversation, the Novi Sad catechist shared his impressions from his decade-long experience as a religious teacher, emphasizing that high school students today are searching for God and the meaning of life. He noticed that young people are persevering on the path of faith, so it is no wonder that they have become a type of “religious eductors” for their parents. He concluded by saying that religious teachers bear a great responsibility because they are expected to guide young souls yearning for Christ on the path of salvation.