Bishop Jovan (Puric) of Nis introduced to the throne of the bishops of Nis

Constantine's city - Nis got today a new Bishop. At the Divine Liturgy which was served by His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch Bishop Dr Jovan (Puric)  was enthroned. Serbian Patriarch was concelebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, Their Graces Bishops: Lavrentije of Sabac, Pahomije of Vranje, retired Atanasije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina, Jovan of Sumadija, Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic, Marko of Bitolj, Milutin of Valjevo, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, David of Krusevac, Vicar Bishops: Porfirije of Jegar and Antonije of Moravica. The Divine Liturgy was attended by Their Graces Bishops: Vasilije of Srem, Hrizostom of Zica, Irinej of Backa, Justin of Vranje and Ignatije of Branicevo, representatives of the city authorities of Nis and the Republic of Serbia, and faithful people from Diocese of Nis and all Dioceses in Serbia, Montenegro and the Republic of Srpska. 

Speech of His Grace Bishop Jovan (Puric) of Nis given today at the enthronement in Cathedral Church of Nis

Today we are introduced to the throne of the ancient diocese of Nis at this holy Gathering regarding the Name of God. To us entering into this throne is joining the efforts of many over the centuries, and this on the day of the Assumption of St. Anne. According to the words of holy Fathers Anne gave birth to one who place the Unplaceable – Theotokos the Foster Mother of our life, protector of episcopal rank. Through Anne's personality we perceive the beginning of the graceful gifts and salvation of man and the world. We are evangelists and preachers of that secret in the Church of the God-man Christ.

Today's Gospel that we heard at the Holy Service on the multiplication of loaves of bread, was preceded by the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. And when people were fed by Only Philanthropist, once again climbed the Mountain to pray alone. This context of events is very important for us: shows us the practice of personal prayer that precedes and follows every action and activity in the Church. About this event also testifies St. John the Theologian in his Gospel. Specifically, he talks about the Bread of life without Which there is no eternal life. That Bread of Life for us is the Lord Jesus Christ himself at the Holy Service, for whom one must strive for great responsibility before God.

Prayerful remembrance of the suffered in Storm

With the blessing of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, His Grace Vicar Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno served today a memoral service for the suffered 16 years ago in the croatian military operation Storm. The memorial service in Belgrade's church of St. Mark was prayerfully attended by President of Serbia Mr. Boris Tadic, representatives of the Serbian Government, members of families of the suffered as well as more than hundred displaced from their centuries-old homes.

Biography of Bishop Dr Jovan (Puric) of Nis

Bishop Jovan Puric was born on May 24/June 6 1965 in Mijace, near Valjevo, by father Radosav and mother Zora, at the baptism got the name Mladen. Since his childhood his pious parents thought him about piety and the church life, and while he was growing up within the monastery of Pustinje and Celije near Valjevo, he was received and accepted a spirit of ardor for the Lord from avva Justin and other clergymen who then with live word and with God-pleasing life influenced souls that longed for God in a hard time for the Church, and especially for the Shepherds. On the beginning of the eighties of XX century the Providence of God sent him to the spiritual father Lazar (Adzic), who would later succeed to the throne of Heugomens of Ostrog. He visited the Holy Land, Mount Athos and Greece.

Public Statement of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church

Regarding the visit of the monk Artemije,defrocked bishop, to certain Serbian communities in the United States of America

Regarding the news that the monk Artemije (Radosavljevic) has publicly appeared in certain Serbian communities in the United States of America, presenting himself falsely as a bishop, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church issues the following statement:

The intrusive announcement of the visit of the monk Artemije has no blessing of the Serbian Patriarch, nor any local bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America, nor any organization or individual in our Church.

We pray that God give all love and peace

A parish priest in Zubin Potok, protopresbyter Milan Kevkic with priests and monks has been for days on barricades in a village of Zupce. He says that they are present there becuase the Church in Kosovo and Metohija shares faith of its people. Yesterday they also held a prayer on the barricades. - We pray that God give all love and peace. This prayer is also for the KFOR soldiers, as a call that all this situation  finishes in a pious way - protopresbyter says.