Serbian Patriarch celebrated his Patron feast-day – St. Lazarus Saturday

Serbian Patriarch celebrated his Patron feast-day – St. Lazarus Saturday
Serbian Patriarch celebrated his Patron feast-day – St. Lazarus Saturday
Serbian Patriarch celebrated his Patron feast-day – St. Lazarus Saturday
Serbian Patriarch celebrated his Patron feast-day – St. Lazarus Saturday

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej received on 8 April 2017, on the occasion of St.  Lazarus Day - the patron saint of His Holiness - after the Eucharistic gathering in the Cathedral church in Belgrade, Slava guests at the Patriarchal Residence in Belgrade, where a solemn rite of blessing the Slava bread was performed by His Grace Lavrentije, Bishop of Sabac.

The Slava ceremony was attended by His Grace Arsenije, Bishop of Toplice; President of the Republic of Srpska Mr. Milorad Dodik; Mr. Nikola Selakovic; director of the Office for  Cooperation with Traditional Churches and Religious Commuinities Dr. Mileta Radojevic, ambassadors of the Russian Federation and Belarus, Mr. Aleksandar Chepurin and Mr. Vladimir Chushev, abbot of the monastery of Holy Archangels  of Kovilj archimadrite Isihije (Rogić), as well as by numerous representatives of political, economic and cultural life of the Serbian capital.

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).

Holy Unction Service in Elkins Park

Holy Unction Service in Elkins Park
Holy Unction Service in Elkins Park
Holy Unction Service in Elkins Park
Holy Unction Service in Elkins Park

On Saturday April 1, 2017, Orthodox faithful gathered at Descent of the Holy Spirit Romanian Orthodox Church in Elkins Park PA., for the service of Holy Unction.

The service was celebrated by Fr. Adrian Grigoras, rector of the host parish, Fr. Milorad Orlic of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, Protosingelos Chesarie Bertea and Fr. Dimitire Musta, both from New York City.

Serbian Delegation at St. Vladimir's Seminary

Serbian Delegation at St. Vladimir's Seminary
Serbian Delegation at St. Vladimir's Seminary
Serbian Delegation at St. Vladimir's Seminary
Serbian Delegation at St. Vladimir's Seminary

On Wednesday, March 29, 2017, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America, together with Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Dr. Vladimir Vukadinovic, full professor of Liturgics and Ecclesiastical Art History at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade, visited St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

They were accompanied by Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Dr. Zivojin Jakovljevic, Episcopal Deputy of the Diocese of Eastern America, Dean of St. Sava Cathedral in New York City, and assistant professor in Church Slavonic at St. Sava School of Theology in Libertyville and lecturer in Linguistics at Cleveland State University, Protopresbyter Vladislav Radujkovic, parish priest at St. Sava Cathedral, and Deacon Dr. Jovan Anicic, Director of Religious Education of the Diocese of Eastern America, and assistant professor of Dogmatics and Church Chant at St. Sava School of Theology in Libertyville.

The Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary

The Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, and was already being celebrated in the fourth century.

There is a painting of the Annunciation in the catacomb of Priscilla in Rome dating from the second century. The Council of Toledo in 656 mentions the Feast, and the Council in Trullo in 692 says that the Annunciation was celebrated during Great Lent.

Reception for representatives of cultural institutions at Bishop’s Residence

The main topic of the conversation was the Festival of Christian culture that is due to take place from 14 to 27 September 2017.

For the sake of a successful cooperation of the Diocese of the Timok with institutions of culture and education of the city of Zajecar, an informal reception was held in the Diocesan centre, where the competent Bishop Ilarion welcomed directors and managers of the National Museum in Zajecar, the Historical Archives "Timok Krajina", the Central Library "Svetozar Markovic", the Regional Theater "Zoran Radmilovic", the Center for Culture and Tourism "CEKIT", High School of Zajecar and Youth Center "Zajecar Initiative" with their associates.