At the invitation of His Eminence the Archbishop of Dusseldorf-Berlin and Metropolitan Grigorije of Germany, Their Royal Highnesses Hereditary Prince Philip and Princess Danica stayed from October 2 to 4 in Himmelsthür, where they attended the consecration ceremony of the restored Assumption Monastery, the only Serbian Orthodox monastery in Germany.

On Friday, 2 October, on the eve of the consecration of the Temple, the Princely couple attended the evening service. On Saturday, 3 October, Their Royal Highnesses attended the ceremonial consecration of the restored Assumption Monastery. Among the numerous archbishops, priests, monks and nuns, the monks of the Simonopetra monastery from Mount Athos, as well as the monks of Dečani Monastery from Kosovo and Metohija, attended the ceremony. The ceremony was attended by representatives of other local Orthodox Churches, other religious communities, as well as representatives of the German authorities.

Hereditary Prince Philip said after the ceremony that this was a “wonderfully beautiful and deeply meaningful day”, emphasising the special importance that the monastery in Himmelsthür has for the Serbian people in Germany. “It was a great honour and a true joy to participate in this solemn act, together with our bishops, clergy and faithful people, but also numerous bishops of other local Orthodox Churches, representatives of other religious communities and the German authorities,” said Hereditary Prince Philip.

As he pointed out, this great gathering once again confirmed how much spiritual and social importance the monastery has, not only for the Serbian people but also for the wider community in Germany. “After a thorough restoration, this shrine was restored to its full splendour and dignity, so that it could continue its important spiritual mission among our people in Germany in the future,” said Prince Philip.

The Hereditary Prince also recalled the special connection of his family with the monastery in Himmelsthür. “For me, this monastery also has a special, deeply personal and family dimension. My father, Crown Prince Alexander, visited this sanctuary twice, during the 1980s and 1990s, at the invitation of the then Western European bishop Lavrenti – the bishop who also baptised me,” said Prince Philip.

It was Bishop Lavrentije who bought the complex in Himmelsthür in 1978 and made it an important spiritual and administrative centre of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people in Germany.

In his address, His Eminence Archbishop of Düsseldorf-Berlin and Metropolitan of Germany Grigorije pointed out that the word “home” perhaps best describes what Himmelsthür has been throughout its history and what it should be after the restoration.

He reminded that it was in Himmelsthür that the Serbian Orthodox Church acquired its first temple in Germany, which was owned by it, and that for decades this shrine was much more than just a temple – a home for Orthodox Serbs who were looking for a place where they could gather, pray and feel at home, far from their country. Speaking about the work of Bishop Lavrentije, Metropolitan Grigorije emphasised that it is only today that one can fully see how far-sighted his vision was for the Church to be a support and a home for people scattered far from their homeland.

Metropolitan Grigorije also referred to the symbolism of the name Himmelstir, which means “Heaven’s Gate”. “In a world where many doors are closed, we Christians know that the doors of heaven are always open,” said the Metropolitan, pointing out that precisely this symbolism is deeply woven into the meaning and future mission of the restored monastery.

During the ceremony, special thanks were given to the founder of the restored monastery, Mr Drago Vuković, a construction entrepreneur from Berlin, thanks to whose generosity, dedication and personal commitment comprehensive works on the restoration of the sanctuary were carried out.

At the proposal of Metropolitan Gregory of Germany, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church awarded Mr Vuković with the Order of Saint Sava, second degree, which was presented to him during the consecration by Bishop Petar of Toplica, vicar of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia. “It is a beautiful testimony that the endowment spirit in our nation still lives today – that there are people who understand that holy places are not only inherited from ancestors, but are preserved and restored for those who come after us,” said Prince Philip.

Metropolitan Grigorije recalled that the renovation began with the need to repair the dilapidated roof of the monastery, and that the complete renovation of the complex grew out of that original undertaking.

He especially pointed out the symbolism of the life path of Drago Vuković, born in Hildesheim, who was brought by his mother to serve in this monastery as a boy, only to return many years later to the same place as its benefactor.

“In its comprehensive restoration, he brought much more than enormous material resources – his time, strength and love, all of himself,” said Metropolitan Grigorije, highlighting the contribution of the entire Vuković family to the monastery’s restoration.

The Metropolitan emphasised that with this endowment, Drago Vuković left a lasting gift to his ancestors and descendants and inscribed the name of his family in the history of Himmelstir, the Church and the Serbian people.

Speaking about the future of the sanctuary, Metropolitan Grigorije said that the completion of the building renovation does not represent the end, but the beginning of its new life. “The restoration of this monastery in itself is not the end of our work. It only makes sense if there is life in this home,” said Metropolitan Grigorije.

As he stated, the intention is for the renovated complex to be primarily a place of “prayer, peace, closeness and togetherness”, but also a place for young people to meet, learn, sing and socialise.

Special praise was given to archpriest-stavrophore Radivoj Krulj for his hard work, sacrifice and devoted care of this shrine and its daily life.

Hereditary Prince Philip sent special thanks to His Eminence the Archbishop of Dusseldorf-Berlin and Metropolitan Grigori of Germany for everything he does for the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people in Germany.

“Through his dedication, hard work and constant presence, our church communities remain alive, united and deeply connected to their faith, tradition and roots,” said Prince Philip.

The Hereditary Prince said that holy sites like the monastery in Himmelsthür testify that the Serbian people, no matter where they live, remain connected by faith, tradition and common memory. “May the restored monastery of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary be a place of prayer, gathering and spiritual strengthening of our people for many generations. Far from Serbia, but never far from its roots,” Hereditary Prince Philip concluded.

On Sunday, 4 October, Their Royal Highnesses attended the Holy Bishop’s Liturgy presided over by the retired Metropolitan Justin of Žiča, with the concelebration of His Eminence the Archbishop of Dusseldorf-Berlin and Metropolitan Grigorije of Germany and Metropolitan Dimitrije of Zahum-Herzegovina.

The abbot of Visoki Dečani monastery, Sava Janjić, as well as a large number of clergy, in the prayerful presence of Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the littoral liturgy, concluded several days of festivities on the occasion of the restoration and consecration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary monastery in Himelstir.