Conference of the Edict of Milan opens

In the congress hall of the Hotel Center in Novi Sad, on Wednesday, May 3, 2012 an international conference began: The Edict of Milan (313-2013): Basis for freedom of religion and belief. Opening this conference, His Grace Bishop Dr Irinej of Backa welcomed all high representatives of European confessions and all participants.У

On behalf of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, many guests of our Church was welcomed by His Grace Bishop Andrej of Remesiana.

Conveying the blessings and prayerful greetings of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the welcome speech was held by His Grace Archbishop Aleksandar (Isejin) of Baku and All Azerbaijan.

The participants were addressed by: His Eminence Metropolitan Emanuel of France of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, president of the Conference of the European Churches; Professor Dr Bogoljub Sijakovic, State Secretary of the Government in the Ministry of Faith and Diaspora of the Republic of Serbia; His Excellency Monsignor Orlando Antonini, Apostolic nuncio of the Holy See in the Republic of Serbia; Rabi Rene Gutmann, Chief rabi of Strasbourg, representative of the Conference of the European Rabis; Dr Johan Marte, President of the Fundation PRO ORIENTE, Vienna; Boris Vukobrat, Presidentof the Fundation for peace and crisis management from Paris; Mrs Mirjana Prljevic, international Secretary General of the CIVIS Association.

In discussion also participated: protopresbyter-staurophor Dr Radovan Bigovic, professor of the Faculty of the Orthodox Theology of the University of Belgrade; His Excellency Archbishop of Belgrade Monsignor Stanislav Hocevar and Representative of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Serbia, Rabi Isak Asiel.

Source: Diocese of Backa