Father Gojko Perovic: It does not help even if we officiate without lay people

“Arresting of His Eminence Archbishop of Cetinje and Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Amfilohije for informative questioning must be condemned without any exception”,  said protopresbyter Gojko Perovic, principal of the Orthodox Seminary of St Peter of Cetinje in his speech on radio “Svetigora”.

Father Gojko says that it is not clear what are the criteria of dealing of the Police of Montenegro and whether there are any criteria.

Entry of Our Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday)

Palm Sunday is the celebration of the triumphant entrance of Christ into the royal city of Jerusalem.

He rode on a colt for which He Himself had sent, and He permitted the people to hail Him publicly as a king. A large crowd met Him in a manner befitting royalty, waving palm branches and placing their garments in His path. They greeted Him with these words: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel! (John 12:13)

Easter greetings of the Information Service of the SOC

On the occasion of the Feast day of the Resurrection of the Christ the Saviour, which is celebrated this year on 12 April according to Western tradition (Paschalia), the Editorial board of the Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes with the joyful greeting:

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Patron Saint-day of Serbian Patriarch Irinej

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, officiated in monastery of The Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple in Belgrade on 11 April 2020, on St. Lazarus Saturday. 

The Patriarch was concelebrated by His Grace Bishop Stefan of Remesiana, Vicar of the Serbian Patriarch. 

President Vučić congratulates Serbian Patriarch’s Slava – Patron Saint Day

On 11 April 2020, His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, received a congratulatory message from Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, the President of Serbia, on the occasion of St. Lazarus Saturday – His Holiness’ Patron Saint Day. The text of the message reads:

Your Holiness,

I cordially thank You for having invited me, as is customary, to jointly celebrate Your Patron Saint’s Day (Slava) – the Raising of Lazarus, the Four Days Dead. The complex situation in which our country is now, requires of all of us a great sense of responsibility and attention for our beloved ones. At this moment, it is our duty and obligation to preserve as many lives of our citizens as possible. I hope You understand that because of the gravity of the situation, we cannot be together on this important day. We cannot be together in physical sense, but spiritually, be assured, I will be with you with my whole being.

Not allowing this pestilence to cloud our joy over the coming Feast of all feasts, the Resurrection of Christ, I whole-heartedly congratulate You on Your Patron Saint’s Day – St. Lazarus Saturday. I wish that You may celebrate Your Patron Saint for many more years in health and continue to worthily head our holy Serbian Orthodox Church, as you have done so far.

Aleksandar Vučić
President of the Republic of Serbia

Best wishes from Mr. Dodik, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, received a congratulatory message from Mr Milorad Dodik, a Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the occasion of Patriarch’s Slava (Patron Saint’s Day) in which it is said:

Your Holiness, I wish that You may celebrate in good health Your Patron Saint’s Day – the Raising of Lazarus, the Four Days Dead. The days behind of us, but also the ones that are ahead of us, are the days of great temptation for our people and our Church, which is also the cause of Your concern. Wishing that this difficult period would end as soon as possible, and that our people would recuperate in the nearest future, please accept the expressions of my deep respect.