New attacks on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohia

On 28 August 2016, according to news agencies, the Albanians, mostly residents of Musutiste, blocked the road that leads to a ruined church of the Mother of God Hodigetria, on which foundations the displaced Serbs wanted to attend the Liturgy on the occasion of the feast day of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos that morning.

Protesters carried Albanian flags and shouted slogans “UÇK, UÇK” (KLA). The Albanians from Musutiste through social networks previous days had called upon their compatriots from Suva Reka and nearby villages to prevent the arrival of the Serbs to Musutiste. About 150 displaced Serbs, among whom there were also children, were in three buses and waited for safe conditions to continue their trip to Musutiste.

The Dormition of the Most-holy Theotokos

The Lord Who, on Mount Sinai, gave the Fifth Commandment, Honor thy father and thy mother, showed by His own example how one should respect one’s parents.

Hanging on the Cross in agony, He remembered His Mother, and indicating the Apostle John He said to her: Woman, behold thy son. After that, He said to John: Behold thy mother. And so, providing for His Mother, He breathed His last. John had a home on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, in which the Theotokos then lived. She dwelt there to the end of her days on earth. By her prayers, kind guidance, meekness and patience, she greatly assisted her Son’s apostles. She spent most of her remaining time on earth in Jerusalem, often visiting those places that reminded her of the great events and of the great works of her Son. She especially visited Golgotha, Bethlehem, and the Mount of Olives. Of her few distant journeys, her visit to St. Ignatius the God-bearer in Antioch is recorded; as is her visit to Lazarus (whom our Lord resurrected on the fourth day), the Bishop of Cyprus. She also visited Mount Athos, which she blessed; and she stayed in Ephesus with St. John the Evangelist during the time of the great persecution of Christians in Jerusalem.

20th Annual Diocesian Days

Eastern Diocese to Welcome New Archpastor

The faithful of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America are busily preparing to welcome their new Archpastor, His Grace Bishop Irinej (Dobrijevic).  

His Grace, who was elected in May by the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church to head the Eastern American Diocese, will be enthroned at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 1.

The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will begin at 9:30 AM, with the welcoming of the hierarchs by the clergy and faithful. It is anticipated that numerous hierarchs and other guests will be in attendance. Leading the list of dignitaries will be Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, who made adjustments to their busy schedule to be present.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy His Grace Bishop Irinej will be led to the cathedra, or throne of the Bishops of the Eastern American Diocese by His Grace Bishop Longin of New Gracanica-Midwest America as the senior Serbian Orthodox hierarch in North America. There Bishop Irinej will take his place as the fifth Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Eastern America, and deliver his first archpastoral message to his new flock. Following the services all will be welcomed for a short reception at the Cathedral.

Patriarch of Antioch paying an irenic visit to the Polish Orthodox Church

At the invitation of the Primate of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church Sawa, His Beatitude Patriarch of Antioch and All Orient John X has started his irenic visit to this country. His Beatitude arrived to Warsaw on the 16th of August and is going to stay with this sister Church until the 22nd of August.

The high dignitary, with two Hierarchs accompanying him, was welcomed at the airport by Metropolitan Sawa and his hierarchs. Thereupon they attended a doxology rite in the Cathedral of St. Mary the Magdalene, where the Patriarch of Antioch was warmly greeted by the Primate of the Polish Church. In his response His Beatitude John X pointed out that he was grateful for every word of love and welcome, and especially for the noble sympathies towards the brothers and sisters of the Holy Church of Antioch.

Bishop Siluan of Australia and New Zealand Consecrated

During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy officiated in the Cathedral of Holy Archangel Michael in Belgrade by Serbian Patriarch Irinej and concelebrating Hierarchs, the new Serbian Bishop of Australia-New Zealand Siluan (Mrakic) was consecrated Bishop.

The Primate of the Church concelebrated with 21 Hierarchs, a large number of priests and deacons. The responses were sung by the First Belgrade Singing Society. This ecclesial event was attended, amongst other prominent personalities, by the director of the Office for Relations with Churches and Religious Communities of the Serbian Government, Dr. Mileta Radojevic, as well as by Their Excellencies Mrs Julia Feeney, Australian Ambassador to Serbia, and Mr. Miroljub Petrovic, Serbian Ambassador to Australia.