Five years since the repose of Metropolitan Christopher (2010-2015)

Exactly five years ago, on the eve of the Lord's great Feast of the Holy Transfiguration in 2010 the great man and respected hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Christopher Kovacevic reposed in the Lord. He spent his last days at St. Sava Monastery in Libertyville. He lived in this monastery for over twenty years. He passed away in his room, on his bed, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Four Centuries of Light

In late afternoon hours on 18 August 2015, His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, was solemnly welcomed at the Krka Monastery of Holy Archangel Michael.

After the solemn feast day’s Vesper service in the monastery church in prayerful presence of bishops, priests, monks and faithful people of Dalmatia, His Holiness Irinej delivered san opening  address at the solemn academy on the occasion of four centuries since the founding of the Seminary of Holy Three Hierarchs.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej visiting Diocese of Dalmatia

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, payed a canonical archpastoral visitation to the Diocese of Dalmatia, Croatia, starting from 18 August 2015. The Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church accompanied by many bishops was welcomed at the entrance of the city of Zadar by the head of the Orthodox Church in Dalmatia, His Grace Fotije.

His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb-Ljubljana and Their Graces Bishops: Vasilije of Srem, Irinej of Backa, Jovan of Sumadija, Pahomije of Vranje, Sergije of Frankfurt and All Germany, Marko of Bregalnica, Vicar Jeronim of Jegar and Bishop emeritus  Atanasije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina.

Patriarch Irinej of Serbia will receive Doctorate Honoris Causa at St. Vladimir's

On Friday, September 11, 2015, the Board of Trustees and Faculty of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary will bestow a Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, upon His Holiness Irinej (Gavrilovic), archbishop of Peć, metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci, and patriarch of Serbia. Patriarch Irinej will also deliver a presentation titled "Theology as a Hope for the Future of the Church."

The patriarch will arrive on the seminary campus, briefly visit Three Hierarchs Chapel, and then proceed to the Academic Convocation. The public ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building, and will include a Q & A session between the patriarch and attendees. An open reception will follow.

His Holiness Irinej, the 45^th Patriarch of Serbia, was enthroned in his position on January 2010. His Holiness was ordained as a Hieromonk in 1959, and was both a professor and rector of Prizren Seminary. He also served as Bishop of Moravica and Nis prior to his election as patriarch.

Diocesan Day 2015

On Sunday, August 9th, faithful Serbian communities from across the eastern United States gathered at Saint Sava Camp in Shadeland, Pennsylvania. 

The day began with Holy Hierarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace Bishop Dr Mitrophan of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, along with twenty-four priests and one deacon.  A further three priests assisted during the service, and the congregation, led by St Sava campers, sang all responses.

The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ

Discourse on the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ of Saint Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica

For an explanation of the present Feast and understanding of its truth, it is necessary for us to turn to the very start of today’s reading from the Gospel: “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up onto a high mountain by themselves” (Mt.17:1).