Serbian Orthodox Church

Directives on Implementing the 03.28.20 Communique

To our Most Beloved Clergy, Monastics and Faithful
of the God-protected Diocese of Eastern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on the basis of its official Act No. 254/1 of March 28, 2020, has issued a formal Communiqué (attached), which clearly and unambiguously states that all divine services in churches and in the open air are to be celebrated without the presence of faithful. Though this directive is put forth at the urging of the Government of Serbia, the same has already been in effect in many states in our Diocese and in the United States of America, as well as most locations throughout the world.

Serbian Patriarch celebrated Liturgy in Vavedenje Monastery, Belgrade

His Holiness Patriarch Serbian Irinej officiated Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great at the Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Belgrade, on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, April 5, 2020, offering his prayers for the salvation of all.

In accordance with the new state of emergency caused by the pandemic of the corona virus, His Holiness the Patriarch was concelebrated only by a priest and without presence of the  faithful, observing the message that in our homes, which are “churches at home” (Philem 2), we should intensify our prayers to the Lord.

Metropolitanate of Montenegro-Coastland supports hospitals to combat pandemics

A financial support has been donated for technical equipment necessary for functioning of health care institutions, so that Montenegro can better deal with the situation caused by the present pandemics.

More precisely, funds were paid for seven monitors and syringe pumps for the hospitals in Cetinje and Niksic respectively, and the other ones for the Clinical Center in Podgorica.

Diocese of Backa donated two million to aid fight against corona virus

President of the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina Igor Mirovic said on April 3, 2020 that 30 million dinars had been received so far into an account that was opened a few days before with the aim of financially assisting health workers in Vojvodina. The largest amount was paid in by Telecom Serbia (five million), and among the donors were DDOR (three million), as well as the Diocese of Backa of the Serbian Orthodox Church, which donated two million dinars, reported Serbian newspapers “Novosti”.

The Mayor of Zagreb visited the Orthodox Cathedral

Mr. Milan Bandic, Zagreb Mayor, visited the Cathedral of the Transfiguration in Zagreb damaged   by the earthquake on March 28, 2020. The Mayor was informed by the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan of Zagreb-Ljubljana Porfirije on the present condition of the church as well as of the building of the Church Municipality of Zagreb.

A Great Humanitarian Activity of the Serbian Orthodox Charities

In accordance with the mission of the Serbian Orthodox Church, at this very difficult time for all the inhabitants of Serbia and the world in general, owing to the malignant coronavirus, the Serbian Orthodox Charities has launched a series of actions to assist the most vulnerable families and individuals in the Archdiocese of Belgrade-Karlovac and in other dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Due to the volume and difficult procurement referring to the state of emergency, the action will be implemented in two parts. In the first round on March 20, 2020, - 25 kilograms of white wheat flour type 500, 10 litres of edible sunflower oil and 5 kilograms of beans were delivered to everyone in need. The second round - which was delivered on March 23, 2020  - distributed other foods: sugar, pasta, salt, yeast, canned food, as well as household chemicals: laundry detergent and dishes, soaps, shampoos ...