Kotor, December 5, 2000 (IKA) — The renovated Cathedral of St. Tryphon (sv. Tripun) in Kotor was formally blessed by Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, who led the celebration of a Mass, together with the apostolic nuncio in Belgrade, Eugenio Sbarbaro, bishops of the Split-Makarska Metropolis, other bishops from Croatia, bishops from the Yugoslav Conference of Bishops and other priests. The celebration began with a formal procession from the Church of St Mary to the cathedral, in which the cathedral reliquary was carried. At the beginning of the Mass, the bishop of Kotor, Ilija Janjić, greeted those present, including representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, especially the metropolitan episcope of Montenegro-Primorje, Amfilohi Radović, and officials from Croatia and Montenegro, expressing his joy that the doors of the Kotor Cathedral would be opened during the year of the Great Jubilee, something he had hoped for since his ordination as bishop. He mentioned the difficult history of the Kotor Cathedral and the severe damages it had endured from an earthquake that had struck that region. After fourteen years of renovation, in which the government institutions of Montenegro and the Kotor Diocese had participated, the Cathedral of St. Tryphon had been restored to its former glory and beauty. Pope John Paul II gave his apostolic blessing to the Church in Kotor, recommending that this event should be a new impetus for constant growth in faith. Congratulations to the Kotor Diocese were also expressed by the apostolic nuncio in Belgrade, Archbishop Eugenio Sbarbaro: “This cathedral speaks of the history of your ancestors. By this renovation, you have performed that which Christians always have the need to do. You have remembered your own tradition and heritage, but you also look toward the future and thus make this church even more beautiful. You have shown that your faith is alive. We want Christianity not only to be remembrance but life, spirit and energy for our times,” said Archbishop Sbarbaro.
Speaking about the importance of the cathedral, which is a holy temple in which Christians assemble in prayer, especially for the Holy Mass, the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Msgr. Josip Bozanić¸ said the following during his sermon: Kotor, by the light of the gospel and the power of Christ’s sacraments, and under the patronage of St. Tryphon, a martyr from the east, has for centuries built a Christian culture that radiates far and wide, a community of mutual respect and acceptance of others. Here in a particular way, the breadth of Christianity and the Mediterranean are experienced. Christians of the Catholic and Orthodox confessions have met here for centuries. Here history speaks of mutual respect and of the joint celebration of holy days. From the Kotor region, it would be good to send an appeal for the broadening of human, religious and Christian attitudes and for the opening of new horizons. How is it possible to enter into the third millennium of Christianity if we consider another to be an enemy because he belongs to another religion or ethnic nationality, or if we disturb the vicinity, neighborhood or property of someone who does not belong to our own group; or if we belittle, mock or suppress the customs and behavior of the members of other communities? This bay of saints, a source of pride to the Catholic Church and the Croatian people, is a school, a challenge and an invitation to many on the threshold of the third millennium. Here is the special witness to faith and heavenly intercession of the Blessed Grace of Mul, the Blessed Hosanna; the Servant of God Ana Marija Marović, the foundress of the Society of Reparation to the Heart of Jesus and the Heart of Mary; and especially St. Leopold [Mandić] …” said Archbishop Bozanić.