Patriarch Porfirije serves the holy bishop's liturgy in Banja Luka

The liturgy was attended by a large number of believers as well as politicians.

Among them was also the President of Republika Srpska (RS) Milorad Dodik, RS Economy Minister Vojin Mitrovic, RS Energy Minister Petar Djokic, entity Minister of Science and Higher Education Zeljko Budimir, a delegate of the Serb people in the BiH Parliament’s House of Peoples Snjezana Novakovic-Bursac, Serbia’s Defence Minister Milos Vukcevic, Mayor of Banja Luka Drasko Stanivukovic and Party of Democratic Progress leader Branislav Borenovic.

After the liturgy, at noon, awards are expected to be given to deserving RS individuals, organizations and institutions, which are awarded by RS President Milorad Dodik - on the occasion of commemorating January 9, which the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina has repeatedly declared unconstitutional.

Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin was awarded the highest order, the Order of the RS on a necklace.

The start of the ceremonial parade is scheduled for 5 pm. This year, the organizers announced a variety of light spectacles, drone shows and animations, concerts, plays or synchronized fireworks in the cities of RS and Belgrade.