Celebration of the feast day of the Dedication of the Church of the Holy Greatmartyr George - the Patron Saint-day of the City of Novi Sad

On 3/16 November 2021, on the feast day of the Dedication of the Church of the Holy Greatmartyr George, His Holiness Porfirije, the Serbian Patriarch, celebrated the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy in the Novi Sad’s Cathedral church, on the occasion of the Patron Saint-day of the City of Novi Sad.

His Holiness Patriarch was assisted by Their Graces Bishops: Irinej of Backa, Fotije of Zvornik and Tuzla, David of Krusevac, Heruvim of Osek-Polje and Baranja, Isihije of Valjevo, Jerotej of Toplica and Damaskin of Mohács, as well as priests and deacons from several dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

After the last prayer, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije performed the act of blessing the slava gifts prepared to the glory of God, and in honor of the holy great martyr George.

At the end of the Holy Liturgy, His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch presented the Order of St. Sava of the second degree to the Rev. Jakob Pfeiffer, a Roman Catholic pastor from Odzak, as a sign of gratitude for the successful cooperation and fraternal relationship with the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people; Professor Vesna Turkulov, PhD, Head of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad, in recognition of devotion to the Church, active love of neighbor, shown through many years of fruitful work, and especially through great contribution to selfless, courageous and inspiring fight against the coronavirus epidemic; Mr. Zoran Vapa, former Director of the Provincial Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments in Novi Sad, in recognition of his great contribution to the advancement of the culture and traditions of our people in general. The Order of Saint Sava was also awarded to the Provincial Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments in Novi Sad, on the occasion of the seventieth anniversary of its founding and in recognition and contribution to the improvement of culture and tradition of our people in general, and Mr. Sinisa Zekovic also received the order. All orders were awarded to the nominees by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, at the suggestion of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa.

At the end of his address, His Holiness once again congratulated all those present on the Patron Saint-day of the Serbian Athens.

His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa, thanked, on behalf of all present and on his own behalf, His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and Their Graces hierarchs who concelebrated, as well as the clergy, monks and faithful people in the prayerful celebration of the Patron Saint-day of the City.

The Holy Liturgy in the Cathedral church was attended by: Mr. Milos Vucevic, Mayor of Novi Sad, Mr. Miroslav Ilić, Assistant Provincial Secretary for Culture, Public Information and Relations with Religious Communities; Professor Dr. Dragan Stanic, President of Matica Srpska; Dr. Radivoje Stojkovic, Director of the Grammar School "Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj"; Mr. Nikola Pervaz, president of the Church Municipality of Novi Sad; and many other representatives of the public and cultural life of Novi Sad.

After the Holy Liturgy, in the ceremonial hall of the City Hall in Novi Sad, the Serbian Patriarch Porfirije blessed the slava gifts.

Source: Diocese of Backa