Serbian Patriarch Porfirije visits the imperial city of Krusevac

On Saint Vitus Day, 28 June 2021, when the 650th anniversary of the foundation of the city of Krusevac is marked as well, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch visited the Diocese of Krusevac and the city of Krusevac on his return from Kosovo and Metohija.

He was accompanied by Their Graces Bishops Stefan of Remesiana and elected Sava of Marca and deacon Radomir Vrucinic. In front of the Lazarica church, the Patriarch and the guests were welcomed by Their Graces Bishops David of Krusevac, Pahomije of Vranje, Fotije of Zvornik-Tuzla, Dositej of Britain-Scandinavia, Ilarion of Timok, Arsenije of Nis, Jovan of Sumadija and elected Damaskin of Mohacs.

Vidovdan celebrated in the imperial city of Krusevac

The Holy Liturgy was celebrated by Bishops David of Krusevac, Pahomije of Vranje, Fotije of Zvornik and Tuzla, Dositej of Britain and Scandinavia, Ilarion of Timok and the elected Damaskin of Mohács. The Order of Saint Simeon of Myrrh was awarded to the director of the BIA, Mr. Bratislav Gasic. In the afternoon, on his return from Kosovo and Metohija, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch visited Krusevac.

On the eve of Saint  Vitus Day, when the Lazarica church celebrates its founder and protector, the Holy Great Martyr Prince Lazar, His Grace Bishop David of Krusevac served a solemn Vigil service in the prayerful presence of numerous faithful people and priests of the city of Krusevac. In front of the church, a poetic-musical triptych Crucified Kosovo - Finding of the Venerable Head of Lazar was held, which marked the beginning of the great jubilee - 650 years since the founding of the city of Krusevac. The event was attended by Their Graces Bishops David of Krusevac, Pahomije of Vranje and Ilarion of Timok, the clergy and the pious people of Krusevac.

The Patriarch visited Kosovo and Metohija on Saint Vitus Day

His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch, celebrated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the Gracanica monastery, on 28 June 2021, on Saint Vitus Day (Vidovdan).

The Liturgical gathering was officiated  by His Holiness Porfirije,  Serbian Patriarch, with the concelebration of Their Graces Bishops Atanasije of Mileseva, Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic and elected Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, Jovan of Slavonia, Siluan of Australia-New Zealand and Stefan of Remesiana.

Patriarch Porfirije: We also see Albanians as our brothers with whom we can be together

On June 28, 2021, on Saint Vitus Day, in the monastery of Gracanica, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch, said that every time he comes to Kosovo and Metohija, he has a feeling that he has returned to his home, and that every absence from Kosovo is separation from God and brothers.

"Every time we come to this land, we deeply know that we have returned to our homeland. This holy Gracanica testifies to that, Decani, the Pec Patriarchate and the Mother of God of Ljevis testify. So many shrines testify that this is our home. We also see the Albanian brothers as our brothers. I am sure that we can not only understand each other but also live together, grow and build. "Let us not be taught peace and community by those who sow discord among people, and have only some foreign distant earthly interests," the Patriarch said during the Hierarchal Liturgy served on the occasion of Saint Vitus Day.

Bishop Isihije solemnly enthroned on the throne of the Diocese of Valjevo

At the magnificent liturgical gathering in the church of the Resurrection of Christ in Valjevo, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch solemnly introduced to the throne of the Diocese of Valjevo His Grace Bishop Isihije of Valjevo, to whom the Holy Assembly of Bishops entrusted the spiritual care of the people of God at the May session in the homeland of the newly saints of the Church of Christ, Saint Bishop Nikolaj and the Venerable Abba Justin.

A great joy brought many faithful people of the Valjevo region to the diocesan Cathedral church to welcome their new archpastor, Bishop Isihije, who will begin his ministry in that traditionally church-related area in the fifteenth year since the renewal of the Diocese of Valjevo. To welcome and offer prayers for him, together with the first hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church and numerous hierarchs.

His Grace Bishop Isihije of Valjevo officiated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of His Beatitude Jovan, Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje; Their Graces Bishops Lavrentije of Sabac, Nikanor of Banat, Dositej of Britain-Scandinavia, Pahomije of Vranje, Fotije of Zvornik-Tuzla, Grigorije of Dusseldorf and Germany, Gerasim of Gornji Karlovac, Jovan of Slavonia, Ilarion of Timok, Arsenije of Nis, Siluan of Australia-New Zealand, Nikodim of Dalmatia, Heruvim of Osek-Polje and Baranja, Dimitrije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina, Metodije of Dioclea, elected Bishop of Budimlje-Niksic, Stefan of Remesiana, Marko of Bregalnica, retired Bishop Georgije of Canada and elected vicar Bishops Damaskin of Mohacs, Sava of Marca and Jerotej of Toplica, in the prayerful presence of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa, whose Vicar until the enthroenment to the throne of Bishops of Valjevo was Isihije. 

Numerous priests from many dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church concelebrated.  The service was enhanced by chanting of the Choir of priests and theologians conducted by protonamesnik Branko Colic, the Church Choir "Hadzi Ruvim" and the Chamber Choir "Emanuel" with conductors Vanja Urosevic and Milica Stepanovic-Babamilkic, as well as the Choir of Kovilj monks whose brother until recently was the bishop Isihije. Among the numerous distinguished guests of the ceremony were the head of Serbian diplomacy, Mr. Nikola Selakovic, Mayor of Valjevo Mr. Lazar Gojkovic, representatives of local self-governments of the Kolubara district, the Serbian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and public institutions.

• Biography of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo 
• Enthronment of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo(photo gallery 1) 
• Enthronment of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo(photo gallery 2) 
• Enthronment of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo(photo gallery 3)

Biography of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo

Biography of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo

Archimandrite Isihije (Rogic) was born on November 3, 1965 in Moscow, from father Milutin and mother Jelena Rogic. He lived in Belgrade, but, due to his father's diplomatic service, spent most of his childhood and youth abroad. In addition to Moscow, he lived in Beijing in China, Rangoon in Burma, Khartoum in Sudan and in Washington DC, the United States.