On Friday, April 15, 2022, in the particularly festive atmosphere of the grand hall of the Macedonian National Theater (MNT), the premiere of the documentary film “1000 Years Witness of the Light” was held. The film was also simultaneously broadcast on the national television service (MRTV), the YouTube channel of the Bigorski Monastery, as well as on the official Facebook pages of the film and the monastery.
In addition to the monks and nuns from the Bigorski, Rajčica, and Prečista monasteries and their Abbot and Hegumen of the Bigorski Monastic Community, Bishop of Antania Mr. Partenij, the grand film premiere was attended by the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia and of Justiniana Prima, Mr. Stefan, Bishop of Stobi, Mr. Jakov, the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Stevo Pendarovski and the First Lady, Mrs. Elizabeta Đorđievska, the Minister of Internal Affairs Mr. Oliver Spasovski, Minister of Finance Mr. Fatmir Besimi, Minister of Defense Mrs. Slavjanka Petrovska, Minister of Justice Mr. Nikola Tupančevski, the Mayor of Skopje Mrs. Danela Arsovski, along with other representatives from political and social life, academics, professors, a large number of members of the film and theater community, musicians, and prominent figures from Macedonian society – all lovers of beauty and goodness.
The attending guests once again demonstrated their finesse in the appropriate choice of fashion combinations and details, and the elegance that most ladies and gentlemen exuded fit perfectly into the festive atmosphere of this wonderful institution. The film screening passed in a spirit of awe and curiosity, which was visibly reflected in the expressions of those present.
The pleasant and warm atmosphere, united with the originality of the cinematic work, was evidenced by the numerous statements and comments. Among the first to come out with their impressions were the President of the country, Mr. Stevo Pendarovski, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Oliver Spasovski, as well as the Mayor of Skopje, Mrs. Danela Arsovski, some professors, cultural analysts, and directors:
The President of the country stated that he attended an event promoting a film dedicated to one of the most beautiful and significant Macedonian monasteries, St. John Bigorski.
“The pride of the Macedonian people and the Macedonian Church, a symbol of defiance, which marks 1000 years of its existence,”
said President Stevo Pendarovski after the premiere.
Minister Oliver Spasovski wrote:
“A clear and comprehensive portrayal of the monastic continuity through the centuries, the ascetic life of the monks of the Bigorski Monastery filled with prayer, with the Word of God in the freedom of Christ, which has always represented a special, even mystical action of God’s grace to the secular man. The Bigorski Monastery itself is a story of a sanctuary that radiates with its beauty, and the love that lives, the energy that emanates from the Brotherhood, actually represents a primal and constructive element of the Bigorski faith, further complementing the grandeur of the monastery.”
Mayor Danela Arsovski wrote that:
“The documentary film ‘1000 Years Witness of the Light’ reveals the mysterious beauties of the Bigorski Monastery of St. John the Baptist.”
The film’s protagonist, Blagoj Veselinov, about Bigorski said:
“A spiritual temple with a space beyond time. There, all mistakes are erased with constant prayer. Bigorski can offer more than expected because at its foundation lies love.”
The film’s reviewer, Vlatko Delovski, wrote:
“The work concluded exactly as I expected and as I had previously written in my review: with widespread recognition.”
Professor Svetle Kamdžijaš announced:
“We watched the film about St. John’s Monastery. Something beautiful! Everyone who watches it will be purified. A big thank you to you, Iko! Kudos to the team!”
A huge thank you to the management, that is, to the employees of the Macedonian National Theater for the excellent cooperation and dedication throughout the preparations.