Statehood Day and Patron Saint-Day of the Republic of Srpska

Marking January 9th - The Statehood day of the Republic of Srpska and its Patron Saint-Day, Holy Hieromartyr and Archdeacon Stephen, began with the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy celebrated by His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, in the church of Christ the Saviour in Banjaluka.

photo gallery (photо: Borisav Zdrinja)

The Patriarch was welcomed by many citizens in front of the church. The Holy Liturgy was attended by President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska Mr. Nedeljko Cubrilovic, Prime Minister Mrs. Zeljka Cvijanovic, Ministers in the Government of Republic of Srpska, members of Parliament, Serbian representatives in common institucions of BiH, as well as representatives of the Armed Forces of BiH.

Feast of Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God in Zemun

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch irinej served yesterday, on the feast day of the Synaxis of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the church of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God on Zvezdara, in Belgrade. 

PEACE FROM GOD! CHRIST IS BORN!

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej officiated the Christmas Divine Liturgy in Belgrade's Cathedral church.

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej officiated this morning, on the joyous feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral church of Holy Archangel Michael in Belgrade. The service was attended by President of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic and Princess Katherine, First Vice President of the Government Mr. Ivica Dacic, Minister of Justice Mr. Nikola Selakovic, representatives of the Republic and city authorities,  Apostolic Nuncio Mons. Orlando Antonini, Ambassador of Belarus Mr. Vladimir Chushev, Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar, representatives of the Islamic community of Serbia, people from cultural and public life of the capital, as well as lots of faithful people.

Nativity Greetings to Serbian Orthodox Information Services

Dear Archdeacon Radomir Rakic,

Greetings from OCP Media Network.

We take this opportunity to wish you a blessed Nativity to all our beloved friends at the Dept. of Information Services of the Serbian Patriarchate.May this festival season bring abundance of joy love and peace. 

We are looking forward for extended cooperation between us in all your future endeavors. 

The Nativity Sermon of Saint John Chrysostom

BEHOLD a new and wondrous mystery.

My ears resound to the Shepherd’s song, piping no soft melody, but chanting full forth a heavenly hymn. The Angels sing. The Archangels blend their voice in harmony. The Cherubim hymn their joyful praise. The Seraphim exalt His glory. All join to praise this holy feast, beholding the Godhead here on earth, and man in heaven. He Who is above, now for our redemption dwells here below; and he that was lowly is by divine mercy raised.

Bethlehem this day resembles heaven; hearing from the stars the singing of angelic voices; and in place of the sun, enfolds within itself on every side, the Sun of justice. And ask not how: for where God wills, the order of nature yields. For He willed; He had the power; He descended; He redeemed; all things yielded in obedience to God. This day He Who is, is Born; and He Who is, becomes what He was not. For when He was God, He became man; yet not departing from the Godhead that is His. Nor yet by any loss of divinity became He man, nor through increase became He God from man; but being the Word He became flesh, His nature, because of impassability, remaining unchanged.

Christmas Eve

In the evening of Christmas Eve a log cut from a tree, the Yule log (badnjak), is placed on the fire. This young tree, usually oak, symbolizes Christ and his entry into the world. Burning of the Yule log presents the warmth of Christ's love. Then, Christmas Eve is a reminder of the tree that the shepherds brought into the cave and which the righteous Joseph burn to warm the just born God-child in the cold cave.