Bishop Jovan of Slavonia in Russia

Bishop of Slavonia attended the Patronal feast of Air landing troops in Moscow. - A visit to the Diocese of Novy Kuznec and Metropolitanate of Kemerov.

On 2 August 2017 when the Holy Church celebrates the feast of Holy Prophet Elijah, traditionally feast’s celebrations dedicated to Saint Elijah’s Day were held in the street of Ilinka. This is the day which unitea the Day of Air Landing Troops with the Patronal feast of the church of Saint Elijah the Prophet, which is the central church of the Air Landing troops.

The main goal of the celebration is a revival of historical values: peace, spiritual and moral unity of the people, the Army and the Russian Orthodox Church. The celebration began with the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy in the church of Prophet Elijah. The Liturgy was officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Arsenije of Istrina, who is the First Vicar of Patriarch Kirill and administer of the Diocese of Moscow, and His Grace Bishop Jovan of Pakrac-Slavonia with the concelebration of many priests.

Following the Liturgy, the procession went from that church towards the Red Square. In the procession father Mihail Vasilev, main priest of the Air landing troops, clergy, commanders, high officers and veterans of the Air Landing troops participated.  At the Lobno a moleben (a service of supplication) for Holy Prophet Elijah was served whereupon greetings of President Putin and Patriarch Kirill were read.

His Grace Bishop Jovan of Pakrac-Slavonia visited also the Diocese of Novi Kuznec on 3 August 2017. Along with Bishop Vladimir of Novi Kuznec-Tastagol, Bishop Jovan visited the oldest diocesan church – the Cathedral church of the Holy Transfiguration. They served a service of supplication with concelebration of local priests.

On the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, on 6 August 2017, Metropolian Aristarch of Kemerov-Prokopyev and Bishop Jovan of Pakrac-Slavonia cocelebrated the Divine Liturgy. The Metropolitan read a prayer for peace in Ukraine. Hierarchs exchanged gifts as tokens of memory of this visit of Bishop Jovan.

Source: Diocese of Slavonia (translation – the information Service of the SOC)