President Vučić congratulates Serbian Patriarch’s Slava – Patron Saint Day

On 11 April 2020, His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, received a congratulatory message from Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, the President of Serbia, on the occasion of St. Lazarus Saturday – His Holiness’ Patron Saint Day. The text of the message reads:

Your Holiness,

I cordially thank You for having invited me, as is customary, to jointly celebrate Your Patron Saint’s Day (Slava) – the Raising of Lazarus, the Four Days Dead. The complex situation in which our country is now, requires of all of us a great sense of responsibility and attention for our beloved ones. At this moment, it is our duty and obligation to preserve as many lives of our citizens as possible. I hope You understand that because of the gravity of the situation, we cannot be together on this important day. We cannot be together in physical sense, but spiritually, be assured, I will be with you with my whole being.

Not allowing this pestilence to cloud our joy over the coming Feast of all feasts, the Resurrection of Christ, I whole-heartedly congratulate You on Your Patron Saint’s Day – St. Lazarus Saturday. I wish that You may celebrate Your Patron Saint for many more years in health and continue to worthily head our holy Serbian Orthodox Church, as you have done so far.

Aleksandar Vučić
President of the Republic of Serbia