Receptions at Serbian Patriarchate on 27 December 2012

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch received yesterday at Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade on 27 December 2012 in separate visits: Mr Mileta Radojevic, the director of the Office for Cooperation with Traditional Churches and Religious Communities, as well as Mr. Milojko Budimir, president of the Association of the Croatian Serbs, with members of the delegation: Mr. Cedomir Maric, Mr. Rada Matijas, Mr. Veljko Vukelic and Mr. Jovan Kablar. 

Statement from Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand

''We swear you by Almighty God that in no way should you detract from the worth, greatness and importance of our reconciliation. Let not one empty and unverified word pass over your mouths. Let our reconciliation be an example for all the other Serbs, wherever they may live. Do not allow any one of us by our actions to hinder this common sanctity. Our reconciliation has just begun. We have planted a young seedling which we need to nurture and cherish as the apple of the eye that it may grow to the pride of all'' (Metropolitan Iriney of New Gracanica - 19 February 1993).

During the past few weeks there appear a multitude of unverified, inaccurate and often malicious articles published on the internet related to the litigation in which the Serbian Orthodox Church is attempting to return to her fold the now usurped New Kalenich Monastery in Canberra.

In light of the same, the Metropolitan Executive Board of the Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand of the Serbian Orthodox Church desires to emphasise the following:

Serbian Patriarch Irinej meets with Ambassador of Russian Federation

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch received at the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade His Excellency Alexander Chepurin, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Belgrade, on 21 December 2012. 

Funeral service for Bishop Hrizostom of Zica of blessed repose

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch celebrated today the Holy Service for the dead and the funeral service for Bishop Hrizostom of Zica in Cathedral Church of Saint Sava in Kraljevo

At the funeral service also Their Graces Bishops celebrated: Vasilije of Zvornik-Tuzla, Vasilije of Srem, Nikanor of Banat, Irinej of Backa, Justin of Timok, PAhomije of Vranje, Jovan of Sumadia, Ignjatije of Branicevo, Fotije of Dalmatia, Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic, Grigorije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina, Milutin of Valjevo, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, Maxim of Western America, David of Krusevac, Joakim of Polog-Kumanovo, Marko of Bregalnica, David of Stobi and Porfirije of Jegar, with the presence of great number of priests, monks and faithful people from all parts of Serbia. 

Conference “Social Protection in Rural Areas – Possibilities and Challenges“

Philanthropy, The Charitable Foundation of the Serbian Orthodox Church organized a conference “Social Protection in Rural Areas – Possibilities and Challenges” on 13 December 2012, the day of Saint Andrew the First called Apostle. The Conference was organized in the St. Sava Hall in Nis, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Jovan of Nis. The conference was attended by number of prominent participants, representatives of local authorities and social welfare institutions from whole Serbia, as well as respective representatives of civil society active in the area of providing social services to the most vulnerable rural population.

Slava of St. Nicholas Church in Zemun

The feast day of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Archbishop of Myra, was formally marked with the Holy Liturgy at the church devoted to this saint in Zemun. His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy.