Božidar Damjanović has begun a pilgrimage to Mount Athos, guided by the goal of helping those most in need by raising funds for single mothers and socially vulnerable families in Republika Srpska, Serbia, and Kosovo and Metohija.
Damjanović is already known for humanitarian efforts. One of them was last year’s pilgrimage to Ostrog Monastery, when he set out on a journey to help a boy from Banja Luka.
President of the council of the local community of Branešci, Željko Derajić, expressed gratitude for Damjanović’s courageous act and wished him a safe journey.
“This is proof that young people will continue doing good deeds for their people and for those who need help the most. I invite everyone to actively join the initiative so that in the next 45 days we can collect as many donations as possible and bring joy to families in need,” Derajić said.
He added that the pilgrimage is dedicated to Dragan Cigan.
“The sacrifice that Dragan Cigan made for other people’s children and the sacrifice Božidar is making today prove that the Serb people will endure despite all challenges,” Derajić noted.
Parish priest of Branešci, Luka Božić, presented the pilgrim with an icon of the Trojeručica and wished him a blessed journey.
“During today’s liturgy we held a prayer service for our brother in Christ Božidar, who begins a 1,200-kilometer journey from Branešci to help others. We prayed that God and the Mother of God protect him from all dangers and that he safely reaches Hilandar Monastery and bows before the icon of the Mother of God Trojeručica,” Božić said, adding that everyone will accompany Božidar in their thoughts and prayers.
Support for the pilgrim also came from Dijana Cigan, the wife of Dragan Cigan, who said she felt great pride seeing Božidar set out on such a long journey to help others.
Božidar’s mother, Snežana Damjanović, said she was proud of her son, noting that from a young age he had always wanted to help others. Božidar was also accompanied by his father Živko Damjanović, brother Vladan Damjanović, and sister Nikolina Damjanović.
Source: Glas Srpske
