Open Hearts in the Church, Not Mobile Phones: The Metropolitan of Montenegro, the Literary Giovanni of the Donji Ostrog, the Church of the Holy Trinity

At the end of the worship service at Donchi Ostrog in the churches of the Holy Trinity, the elected Metropolitan of Montenegro, Littoral, JoanikiJe, referred to the increasing use of mobile phones in the church during the service, urging the faithful not to do so.

Photo: Metropolitan

– It is fortunate to have a camera or a camera discreetly recording during service, at least the most notable parts of the service. What has now become commonplace is that all measurements are violated. We come to some services, to some big church council, everyone picks up their mobile phones, everyone records. Really too much. Are these people properly participating in the service? The second is those who are blessed, which is obedience to them, but today everyone pulls out a cell phone and records. What’s important about a mobile phone? No. The most important thing in the service is that it cannot be captured with a camera or technology. There is so much focus on it, which is why people are moving away from the service. You need to open your heart, not cell phones. To open our hearts, we descend invisibly and clearly into the grace of God, the grace of God, into acceptable hearts, open souls, and open minds. The shortcomings of unemployment and insignificance, we did it all, we went too far and had to get back on the right track. This will not do anything, and filming during meals is especially ugly, said Metropolitan Jovanikeje.

– We are at the table, some of us are guests, in a monastery or somewhere else, so they record how we eat, drink, talk, and tell jokes. Well, we are human. But is filming decent, is that right? I invite you home, you draw me. Or I came to see you, so you picture the host. This is not good. Not to mention how well all the temptations that occur in those recordings were used against the church, against Christians, against our faith and against the clergy. There is a lack of work. When you get to church, leave the phone in the car or turn it off and put it in your pocket, said Metropolitan JovanikiJ.