The Orthodox Diocese of Niš awarded the Saint Roman of Djunis First Order Decoration to the City of Niš for „demonstrated love shown to the Mother Church and selfless help provided to the Church of the Holy Emperor Constantine and Empress Helen“. The highest recognition of the Orthodox Diocese of Niš was presented to Niš City Mayor Dragana Sotirovski by His Eminence Bishop of Niš Arsenije. I received the recognition on behalf of all fellow citizens, on behalf of the closest associates and all people who worked on the construction of the Church of the Holy Emperor Constantine and Empress Helen, as well as on the room for lighting candles together with the church shop which was consecrated and handed over for use, said Niš City Mayor. This act of Niš Orthodox Diocese is a confirmation of the great and successful cooperation between the City of Niš and the Diocese, she pointed out and thanked for the significant recognition. According to her, that cooperation will be at the highest possible level in the future as well. In this way, the City of Niš and the Orthodox Diocese of Nis are writing another great page in the spiritual history of our city, said Mayor Sotirovski. His Eminence, Bishop Arsenije of Niš, said, speaking about the construction of Church of Holy Emperor Constantine and Empress Helen, „if it were not for the City of Niš and we would not have been able to do it ourselves.“ By moving the place for lighting candles from the church, the work on the inside church paintings was made possible, the Bishop noted.
The Orthodox Diocese of Niš awarded letters of gratitude to the City Municipality of Medijana, the Office for Local Economic Development, City of Niš Directorate for City Land Development, Niš Urban Planning Institute, PUC „Gradska Toplana“, republic companies and individuals for their contribution to the construction of the room for lighting candles and the church. Niš City Mayor and her associates attended the Holy Hierarch’s Liturgy on the occasion of the feast of the Conception of St. John the Baptist. The Holy Hierarch’s Liturgy was served by His Eminence Bishop Arsenije of Niš in concelebration with the clergy.
