Vrbica celebrated in Kosovska Mitrovica

The door of the Mitrovica church was filled with believers who had traditionally gathered to mark this holiday together with their children.

The ceremony began with the morning liturgy served by the local clergy, and continued with the evening service, the consecration of willow branches and the liturgy.

The sound of bells, the smell of willow branches and the joy of children – these words could describe today’s atmosphere in Kosovska Mitrovica.

The Sabbath of Lazarus, or the Sabbath of righteous Lazarus, is dedicated to the resurrection of Lazarus of Bithynia.

On Lazarus Saturday, young willow branches are harvested, which are consecrated in the church and distributed to the people, which is why the holiday is called Vrbica.

Today’s holiday is a day of children’s joy, because, according to the Gospel, Christ, going to Jerusalem, said – “Let the children come to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such”.