On Monday, 17 November 2025, the guest of the Morning Programme of “Hram” Television was the catechist Branislav Ilić, editor of the “Kinonia” portal of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade–Karlovci. The topic of the interview, conducted by the journalist Jana Okilj, was the liturgical celebration of the holy angels and their presence in liturgical texts.
In the introductory part of the conversation, catechist Branislav Ilić offered a reflection on the prayerful commemoration of the translation of the relics of Saint George the Great-Martyr, the Victorious One and Wonderworker, from Nicomedia to Lydda in Palestine. According to his account, Saint George, by the power and love of God, overcame all evil, sinful, and dark forces. Just as the relics of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki still emit fragrant myrrh to this day, so too the faithful gather sanctified myrrh at the tomb of Saint George and invoke the intercessory protection of this glorious saint. The catechist from Novi Sad emphasized that Saint George is the prayerful protector of many, and, as a patron saint, is particularly so of the inhabitants of the God-preserved City of Novi Sad. In the same way that the Mother of God shelters her Primatial City of Belgrade, that Saint Demetrius watches over his City of Thessaloniki, as well as Sremska and Kosovska Mitrovica, that Saint Constantine the Great guards his City of Niš, and Saint Procopius his City of Prokuplje, so too Saint George keeps prayerful vigil over Novi Sad.
Speaking about the holy bodiless angelic powers, the guest of Jana Okilj noted that the Creator of heaven and earth first brought the angels into being, as we confess in the Nicene–Constantinopolitan Creed. He recalled that in the renowned work On the Celestial Hierarchy by Saint Dionysius the Areopagite, a disciple of the Apostle Paul, we find precious testimonies about the existence of the nine orders of angels: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Authorities, Powers, Archangels, and Angels. According to his account, the Seraphim stand in the closest proximity to God and unceasingly raise their eternal hymn to the Lord, proclaiming: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord Sabaoth, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.” Catechist Branislav further emphasized that the Cherubim guard the throne of God, recalling that after the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise, the Lord appointed a Cherub to guard the entrance to Eden. Likewise, the Cherubim were depicted in the Tabernacle, at the entrance of the Holy of Holies, and they protected the Ark of the Covenant.
The guest of “Hram” Television’s Morning Programme also spoke of the holy Archangels, reminding the audience that Archangel Michael is the leader of the heavenly hosts and that his name means “who is like God”; this is the very Archangel who appeared to Joshua during the conquest of Jericho. Speaking about Archangel Gabriel, Branislav recalled that his name means “the strength of God,” and that he is the herald of glad tidings.
During the conversation, attention was also given to the prayerful commemorations of the holy Angels. Branislav emphasized that in the weekly liturgical cycle every Monday is dedicated to the Angels, and that in the course of the liturgical year there are four feasts—two in honour of Saint Michael the Archangel and two in honour of Saint Gabriel the Archangel. As we are approaching the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, catechist Branislav discussed the proper observance of the family patronal feast (Krsna slava), lamenting that a mistaken practice has taken root among some families, who do not prepare koliva (koljivo) for this feast. Jana Okilj and Branislav devoted attention to this topic, underscoring that the essential elements of the Slava have their origin in the Divine Liturgy.
At the conclusion of the interview, catechist Branislav offered an edifying word to the viewers, sharing with them an instructive story from the life of Saint Justin of Ćelije. He additionally expressed his joy and gratitude for the ongoing series of conversations on liturgical themes within the Morning Programme of “Hram” Television.