Bishop Irinej Celebrates Liturgy at Chicago Cathedral on Occasion of Symposium Visit
On Sunday, October 5th, His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Longin of New Gracanica and Midwestern America, and as part of his official visit to this city on occasion of the Serbian Singing Society - S.S.S Branko Radichevich Choral Symposium marking the 100th Anniversary of the repose of Serbian composer Stevan St. Mokranjac.
Concelebrating with the esteemed guest hierarch from the Fifth Continent, who began his priestly ministry at the Chicago Cathedral, were the Very Reverend Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Fr. Uros Ocokoljic, the Reverend Presbyters: Fr. Darko Spasojevic, Cathedral Dean; Fr. Radovan Jakovljevic, Fr Vasilije Vranic; and Reverend Deacons Theodore Sokolovic and Nenad Jakovljevic.
In the course of the Holy Eucharistic celebration at the packed Cathedral, Bishop Irinej ordained subdeacon Jovan Anicic - a Ph.D. candidate at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki who has worked in the Cathedral's educational ministry for many years and most notably as co-director of the Junior Brankies Children's choir with his wife Milica - to the Order of the Holy Diaconate. The gathered faithful joined in the joyous exclamation of "Axios," "Dostojan," "He is worthy," as newly-ordained Deacon Jovan was vested with the diaconal orarion and cuffs following the laying on of hands.
In an inspiring homily on the Gospel reading of the healing of the Canaanite woman's daughter and her dialogue with our Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop Irinej underscored the importance of our perseverance in faith and in seeking Christ even when He, through His love and providence for our salvation, allows for our faith to be tested.
At the end of the Liturgical celebration, after many had partaken of the Holy and Salvific Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, Bishop Irinej congratulated Deacon Jovan and his family on occasion of his new ministry, fondly recalling the Abrahamic hospitality of the newly-ordained deacon's parents as well as Deacon Jovan's academic career.
Bishop Irinej also thanked the Cathedral's Branko Radichevich Choir, which was joined by symposium participants from around the country, for beautifully leading the liturgical responses under the direction of Popadija Jelena Vranic.
Source: soc.org.au
