Kosovo and Metohia, endowments and gifts

The exhibition ‘Kosovo and Metohia – Endowments and Gifts’ is opened at the Gallery of Frescoes. It represents а collection of the National Museum in Belgrade

The aim of this well-organized exhibition was to present the public in more direct way the Serbian national heritage in Kosovo and Metohia,  a source of spiritual, cultural, economic and social progress of our people.

Epistle of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the Day of Orthodox Youth

Dear Brothers and Sisters! I express my heartfelt congratulations to you on this feast day of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and the Day of Orthodox Youth.

Turning my mind’s eye to the events which led to the establishment of this church holiday, we and Righteous Simeon both joyfully greet the Savior Who was brought to the Temple of Jerusalem. But this event, in addition to its historic significance, has another symbolic meaning: in this we see the mystical meeting of the Creator and His creation, the personal meeting of mankind and God.

Unity is necessary on important issues

President Tomislav Nikolic and Serbian Patriarch Irinej agree that it is necessary to achieve unity оf local public in solving all issues of the national interest. Prime Minister Ivica Dacic also attended the meeting.

Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, President of the Republic of Serbia, and Mr. Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister, talked today with His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch.  Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, Bishop Irinej of Backa, Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren and protopresbyter-stavrophor Savo Jovic, chief secretary of the Holy Synod of Bishops attended the meeting at the Palace Serbia.

Serbian House of Studies to be Founded at Seminary

St. Vladimir's Seminary (SVOTS) and the Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Belgrade have made a formal agreement to work together with the aim of establishing a Serbian House of Studies on the campus of St. Vladimir's Seminary. The House of Studies has several goals, including the promotion of sustained dialogue and educational exchanges between Orthodox Christians in America and Serbia.

Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation

The head of the Roman Catholic Church, 85-year-old Pope Benedict XVI announced  that he will resign on 28 February. He explained that his resignation was due to the lack of mental and physical strength to carry on his ministry. "Strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me," the Pope said, according to official sources in Vatican.

The last Pope who resigned was Gregory XII, in 1415. Pope Ratzinger is 265th Roman bishop, and the 6th pope in the history who is German (the first German pope since XI century). He was elected pope in 2005 as a successor of John Paul II, who holds the third place in the history of the Roman Church judging by the length of papal ministry.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej meets with Serbian President

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, met on 11 February 2013 with Mr.Tomislav Nikolic, President of the Republic of Serbia, at the Office of the President of Serbia in Belgrade.

President Nikolic and Serbian Patriarch Irinej expressed their concern regarding the security of the citizens and the Serbian Church in Kosovo and Metohia, especially after recent events with respect to the monastery of Decani. They both agreed that the international organizations, which were present in the South Serbian province, were bound with the mandate,  approved by the Republic of Serbia, to protect rights and security of citizens and religious shrines  in Kosovo and Metohia.