The Days of Saint Basil of Tvrdoš and Ostrog will be held in Herzegovina from May 2 to May 12, 2025.
This event features a rich program of spiritual and cultural-artistic content, aimed not only at honoring the great feast day but also at recognizing, preserving, developing, and deeply rooting historical, cultural, and Orthodox Christian values in the soul of our people—especially godliness and philanthropy, virtues powerfully embodied in the figure of Saint Basil.
As part of the event, the play “Čovjek visine” will be performed on May 2, 3, and 4, 2025, in the Cultural Center of Trebinje (May 2), Nevesinje (May 3), and Bileća (May 4).
“Čovjek visine” is a stage production about Metropolitan Mitrofan Ban (1841–1920), the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, a historical figure with a rich biography and a resolute character.
The role of Metropolitan Mitrofan is played by Nebojša Milovanović, while the role of painter Uroš Predić is performed by Bojan Žirović—renowned actors of the Belgrade theatre and film scene.
The play was written by Ana Đorđević and directed by Jana Maričić. It was created in co-production between the National Library of Budva and BEOART from Belgrade.
The play premiered in 2022 at the “Ćirilica” festival in Budva, with the blessing of Metropolitan Joanikije, and has since been performed in numerous cities.
It received an award at the theatre festival in Vršac.
Metropolitan Mitrofan Ban served as a bishop during a time of major historical and political upheaval in the region. As the abbot of Morača and the monastery of Podlastva, he distinguished himself in battles against the Ottomans, alongside the heroes of Morača and Vasojevići.
He became metropolitan at a time when the Patriarchate of Peć lost its independence, and the Serbian Orthodox Church was split into separate structures in Serbia and Montenegro.
Additionally, Montenegro gained recognition as an independent state following the Congress of Berlin. As a guardian of the legacy of the Petrović and Nemanjić dynasties, the Metropolitan did everything in his power to reunite the Serbian Church and restore the Patriarchate of Peć, working closely with Patriarch Gavrilo Dožić and the bishops of the Serbian Church.
He ultimately succeeded in this mission near the end of his life.
During the Great War, King Nikola of Montenegro was banned from returning from exile in Italy. In the midst of occupation, the elderly Metropolitan remained with his people, preserving their dignity and identity while enduring immense humiliation and suffering. One of the greatest humiliations was the destruction of Njegoš’s chapel on Mount Lovćen.
At the Metropolitan’s request, after liberation and following his death, King Aleksandar Karađorđević— with the blessing of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church—restored the chapel.
Source: RTRS
