Bishop Irinej venerating holy shrines on the north of Russia
With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and upon his invitation, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa is on a pilgrimage to the holy places on the north of Russia.
His entourage consists of: bishops Antonije of Moravica and Isihije of Mohacs, as well as protopresbyter Vladan Simic, Secretary of the Bishop of Backa.
On Saturday, 24 August 2019, on the Eve of the feast day of All Saints of Valaam, Bishop of Backa prayerfully attended the Vigil in the church of Transfiguration Valaam stauropegic monastery. On the very day of the feast day, on Sunday, 25 August, Bishop Irinej officiated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in this church with the concelebration of bishops: Pankratije of the Holy Trinity, abbot of the Valaam monastery, Antonije of Moravica and Isihije of Mohacs, protopresbyter Vladan Simic, as well as with the brotherhood of this sacred monastery.
The Transfiguration Valaam stauropegic Monastery was founded in the beginning of 14th century. The status of stauropegic monastery it got in 1991. The abbot of the monastery is Bishop Pancratius of the Holy trinity, Vicar of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church. Many Orthodox saints had an abode in this holy place: Venerable Alexander of Svir, Venerable Savatiye of Solovets, Saint Herman of Alaska and many others. Saint Ignatious Bryancaninov fostered great love towards this monastery as well.
