Serbian Patriarch Irinej decorated the chief architect of the St. Sava church in Botswana

At an official reception given in honor of Patriarch Irinej held in the residence of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Pretoria, capital of the Republic of South Africa, on Saturday evening, 3^rd of November 2018.

His Holiness Patriarch Irinej decorated with the Patriarchal Charter having the icon of the Most Holy Mother of God Mr. Andor Ginder, the chief architect of the Sava Church in Gaberone, capital of Botswana, that had been consecrated on the feast-day of Venerable Mother Parasceve, on the 27^th of October 2018.

Presentation on Serbian Culture at Akron University

With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Irinej, and through the efforts of Dr. Vanja Zoric, Akron University hosted the traveling visual-literary exhibition, “Over There, So Far Away”. This presentation was planned through the combined efforts of Protonamesnik Dragan Goronjic, Dean of the Cleveland Deanery and parish priest at St. Demetrius Serbian Orthodox Church, and Protonamesnik Aleksa Pavichevich, parish priest of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church.

Our Holy Father Prochorus of Pchinja

He was a contemporary and friend of St John of Rila and St Gabriel of Lesnov. In response to his prayers, God showed him the place where he was to live in asceticism - a wooded area near the river Pchinja. There St Prochorus lived till old age, and there he died. Only the one, all-seeing God can know all the labours and temptations that he endured throughout his asceticism, but one can judge from his relics, from which myrrh flows forth, and the miracles of healing wrought by him to this day, both the greatness of his asceticism and the greatness of God"s grace given to him as a reward for his great labours. St Prochorus entered into rest and went to the heavenly Kingdom in the eleventh century.

The Holy Prophet Joel

The second in order of the Minor Prophets, Joel was the son of Phanuel, of the tribe of Reuben. He lived eight hundred years before Christ, and foretold the misfortunes of the Israelites and their captivity in Babylon for the sins that they had committed against God. He called the people to fasting and the priests to penitent and tearful prayer that God would have mercy on them: "Sanctify ye a fast and cry unto the Lord" (1:14); "Let the priests weep between the porch and the altar" (2:17) .Joel also prophesied the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, and the outpouring of His grace on all the faithful (2:28). He foretold and described the Dreadful Judgement of God, and also the glory of God"s holy Church.

A Festal Gathering at St. Thomas Church in Johannesburg

Icon of the Mother of God the Three-Handed brought into the church. -  Divine Liturgy in honor of St. Apostle Luke and of St. Peter of Cetinje

His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Irinej, who has been visiting the Serbian parishes in South African Republic and Botswana, officiated on October 31, 2018, on the feast-day of St. Apostle Luke, the holy Liturgy in the Church of St. Apostle Thomas in Johannesburg. He was concelebrated by His Grace Jovan, Bishop of Sumadija, and the principal of the church Revd. Isailo (Markovic).

Bishop Irinej Responds to Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

The shocking news of this morning’s shooting attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing and wounding innocent worshippers, has pierced the hearts of all people of faith.

The Diocese of Eastern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church extends its sincere condolences to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh, to Mayor Peduto, and to all local and state officials and members of the community affected by this senseless hate crime.