The Church of the Holy Great Martyr George on Paprikovac is an Orthodox parish church belonging to the Diocese of Banja Luka.
The Church of the Holy Great Martyr George on Paprikovac is an Orthodox parish church belonging to the Diocese of Banja Luka. It was rebuilt on the site of a former temple that was demolished during the Second World War. After more than eight decades, this part of the city regained its sacred place. The new temple was solemnly consecrated at the end of September 2024 and today serves as a spiritual center for the faithful of Paprikovac and the surrounding settlements.
On the territory of Paprikovec there was an Orthodox temple dedicated to St. George, which was erected before the Second World War. The temple was demolished in 1941, at a time when many Orthodox buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina were killed in hostilities. Since then, the residents of Paprikovac no longer had their own church and for decades the faithful went to worship services in nearby temples, such as the one on Petrićevac.
The initiative to restore the temple was launched at the beginning of the second decade of the XXI century. The first works on the preparation of the foundation and construction began around 2013, and during the following years the structure was gradually erected thanks to the contributions of the faithful, the support of the Diocese of Banja Luka and the help of the local community.
At the end of September 2024, after more than eighty years, the temple was solemnly consecrated. The act of consecration was served by His Highness Bishop Ephraim of Banja Luka, in the presence of a large number of priests, believers and representatives of the city authorities. That day marked the return of spiritual life to this area.
The temple was built in the traditional Orthodox style, with a simple but harmonious architectural solution. The building has one bell tower, a dome and an altar part oriented to the east. The interior is decorated with icons, and work is underway on additional decoration of paintings and iconostasis.
In addition to the worship function, the temple also plays a significant role for the hospital community, since it is located in close proximity to the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska.
A copy of the miraculous icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “Ambulance”, which was brought from the Holy Mountain, is kept in the temple. Believers pray to her with great devotion for health and help in trouble. This icon has already become the central shrine of the new temple.
The temple celebrates the Holy Great Martyr George — St. George's Day (May 6). On this day, a sacred liturgy is served every year, and numerous locals, guests and representatives of the city gather.
In addition to regular worship services, significant holidays are celebrated in the temple, molebans, evening services and spiritual lectures are held. The temple is increasingly becoming a place of gathering, spiritual comfort and communion of the faithful of this part of the city.
The Temple of the Holy Great Martyr George is a symbol of the renewal of faith and continuity of spiritual life in Banja Luka. Its construction is the fruit of the joint effort and faith of the locals who have wanted to restore their sacred place for decades. Today it stands as a sign of the victory of faith over oblivion, and as a place where past, present and hope meet in prayer.
The Church of St. George on Paprikovac was erected, becoming a place of prayer and gathering of the community.
Destroyed during the Second World War, the church left a deep mark in the hearts of believers.
The preparation of the foundation began for the construction of a new church, a sign of the renewal of faith and hope.
The new temple was consecrated, opening its doors and reassembling the community in prayer and peace.
Novi hram je osvećen, otvarajući svoja vrata i ponovo okupljajući zajednicu u molitvi i miru.
Saint George, also known as Saint George, was a Roman soldier and Christian martyr who suffered for his faith in the early 4th century. He was born in Cappadocia, into a prominent Christian family, and as a young man he distinguished himself for his bravery in the Roman army. When Emperor Diocletian initiated the persecution of Christians, George publicly admitted that he believed in Christ, for which he was tortured and eventually executed on May 6, 303. His perseverance and courage made him one of the most revered saints in the Christian world. In iconography, he is most often depicted on horseback, slaying an azda with a spear, which symbolizes the victory of good over evil and faith over polytheism. Among Orthodox Serbs, St. George is celebrated as St. George's Day — a holiday of spring, renewal and life, while November 16 is dedicated to the restoration of his temple and is celebrated as Đurđić. Saint George is the patron saint of many nations and cities, from England to Catalonia, and in the Serbian tradition he is revered as one of the most significant saints to whom numerous churches and monasteries are dedicated.
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