Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb-Ljubljana enthroned

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, introduced His Eminence Metropolitan Dr. Porfirije, former Bishop of Jegar, into the throne of Metropolitans of Zagreb-Ljubljana during the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Zagreb yesterday, on 13 July 2014.

Besides the newly enthroned Metropolitan, the Patriarch was also concelebrated by Metropolitans Basileos of Arcadia from the Patriarchate of Antioch and Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, Their Graces Bishops: Christopher of Karpassia from the Archbishopric of Cyprus, Irinej of Backa, Bishop electus Justin of Zica, Irinej of Australia-New Zealand and Bishop electus Andrej of Austria-Switzerland.

Also archimandrite Gavrilo of Lepavina, Bishops electi: Jeronim of Jegar, Sergije of Middle Europe, Arsenije of Toplica and Ilarion of Timok, protopresbyter-stavrophor Savo Jovic, hieromonk Isihije from the Kovilj monastery and some other priests from the Serbian Church and Local Orthodox Churches of Cyprus, Athens and Antioch concelebrated.

The following Bishops attended the Liturgy: Lukijan of Osek-Polje, Pahomije of Vranje, Jovan of Sumadija, Ignatije of Branicevo, Fotije of Dalmatia, Atanasije of Bihac-Petrovac, Grigorije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, Gerasim of Gornji Karlovac, David of Krusevac, elected Jovan of Slavonia, retired Vasilije of Zvornik-Tuzla, and retired Atanasije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina. Along with them many priests, as well as monks and nuns from monasteries throughout the Serbian dioceses attended the Holy Liturgy.

Yesterday’s solemn service was also attended by Cardinal Josip Bozanic; Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico, Apostolic Nuncio in Croatia; Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hocevar as well as by Catholic Bishops: Andrej Glavan, Vlado Kosic of Sisak, Antun Skvorcevic of Pozega, Stanislav Lipovsek of Celj; envoy of the President of Serbia Jasmina Mitrovic Maric, Vice President of the Government of Serbia and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic, Minister of Justice Nikola Selakovic, Minister of Sports Vanja Udovicic, Mayor of Zagreb Milan Bandic, President of the Parliament of Republic of Srpska Igor Radojcic, Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Srpska Goran Mutabdzija, President of the Serbian National Council Milorad Pupovac, representatives of the state institutions, diplomatic corps, religious communities and public and cultural life of Zagreb, Croatia and Serbia.

The choir of the church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the choir of the monastery of Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Kovilj sang responses.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy His Grace Andrej, after the  newly elected Bishop of Austria-Switzerland had read the decision of the Holy Assembly of Bishops on promotion of Bishop Porfirije into the rank of Metropolitan of Zagreb-Ljubljana,  His Eminence Metropolitan Basil of Arcadia and His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa introduced His Eminence Porfirije into the throne of Metropolitans of Zagreb-Ljubljana. Serbian Patriarch Irinej handed in a sceptre to His Eminence Metropolitan Porfirije and addressed him referring to his new mission as the new Metropolitan of Zagreb-Ljubljana, and wishing him a fruitful archpastoral ministry.

Following the Patriarch’s speech, His Eminence Metropolitan Porfirije read his introductory sermon.

The ceremony of the enthronement of the Metropolitan of Zagreb-Ljubljana continued with the agape feast at the Zagreb’s WestInn Hotel.  The solemn lunch along with His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej and bishops, dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church in Croatia and Slavonia, was attended by President of the Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, President of the Croatian Assembly Josip Leko, envoy of the President of Serbia Jasmina Mitrovic Maric, Vice President of the Government of Serbia and Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic, Minister of Justice Nikola Selakovic, Minister of Sports Vanja Udovicic, Minister of Education of the Republic of Croatia Vedran Mornar, Mayor of Zagreb  Milan Bandic, President of the Assembly of the Republic of Srpska Igor Radojcic, President of the Serbian National Council Milorad Pupovac, representatives of the highest state institutions, diplomatic corps, religious communities and public life of Zagreb, Croatia and Serbia.

The so-far Administrator of the Diocese of Zagreb-Ljubljana Bishop Fotije of Dalmatia gave a welcome speech. Following the Bishop, the present guests were addressed also by President of the Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, envoy of the President of Serbia Jasmina Mitrovic Maric, Vice President of the Government of Serbia and Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic, Serbian Minister of Justice Nikola Selakovic, Bishop of Sisak Vlado Kosic and President of the Serbian National Council Milorad Pupovac.