Communique of the Holy Synod of Bishops regarding the formal act of the enthronement of Serbian Patriarch Irinej

In preparation for the formal act of enthronement of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch on October 3, 2010 in the Stavropegial Laura of the Serbian patriarchs - the Patriarchate of Pec, the Holy Synod of Bishops reminds firstly all Orthodox believers, but also the whole public that the enthronement is only a religious and a spiritual activity of the historical significance for our Church and the entire Serbian people, as well as any politicization of the event is undesirable and absolutely unacceptable.

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch and the Holy Synod of Bishops, on this occasion, call all members of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, leaders of the political parties and other politicians that fully and without reserve respect the dignity and spiritual character of this event, as well as  the agreement of the Holy Synod with the international authorities operating in Kosovo and Metohija, and thus to contribute to this most formal prayerful act, at the centuries-old seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church, pass in the best order and thus prevent the possibility of any provocation.

The Holy Synod of Bishops, at the same time, informs the public that the Republic of Serbia i its authorities, at the ceremony of the enthronement of Serbian Patriarch Irinej, will be represented in the figure of its highest representative, the President of the Republic Mr. Boris Tadic.

For all prominent politicians and public dignitaries from Serbia and the Republic of Srpska (representatives of the Assembly, ministers, leaders of parties, representatives of science and art), a formal reception regarding the enthronement of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch will be held on October 4, 2010 at 17:00 hours at the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade.