Serbian Orthodox Church

Eastern Diocese Clergy Confession and Seminar in Philadelphia

From April 3 - 4, 2019 the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church of Philadelphia was honored with a blessing from His Grace, Bishop Irinej, to host (for the first time in the parish’s history) the annual Diocesan Clergy Confession and Seminar. Along with His Grace, Bishop Irinej, brethren clergy from throughout our Diocese and clergy from sister Orthodox churches, it was a particular pleasure to host our honored guest speaker - His Grace, Bishop John (Abdalah) of the Antiochean Orthodox Diocese of Worcester and New England.

Patriarch Irinej solemnly welcomed in Gracanica monastery

After touching encounters with the Serbs in Strpce and Kosovsko Pomoravlje, His Holiness Patriarch visited the Gracanica Monastery on 16 April 2019.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej was solemnly greeted in Gracanica monastery by Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren with abbess Stephanida as well as the sisterhood of the Gracanica.

Following the prayer in the church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, the Serbian Patriarch met with a great group of children and the faithful from Gracanica and its area and addressed to them words of encouragement and hope, and presented them small icons.

The Primate of the Serbian Church had conversations with the abbess and representatives of the Municipality of Gracanica.

In the evening the Serbian Patriarch Irinej, accompanied by Bishop Teodosije, arrived to the Banjska Monastery in Northern Kosovo and Metochia, where he was welcomed by Archimandrite Danilo with his brotherhood and the faithful of that area.

The Patriarch visits the Serbs in Strpce

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, visited the Serbs in Strpce on Kosovo and Metochia on 15 April 2019.The Serbian Patriarch was welcomed in the church-courtyard by His Grace Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren with the clergy and many faithful people of the Sirinic county.

“I am happy and grateful to God for being with you here today. Although I lived in Prizren for many years I am today for the first time here in your beautiful place, and I am delighted at seeing a lot of you. You are here on your own and should know that your Church, all of us, our people wherever they live have always been with you and always will be.

Be sure that you are not forgotten! Stay here, in your country, in your home, in your homeland”, the Patriarch said.

Lenten Retreat in Steelton

The crisp, clear spring morning greeted the pilgrims pleasantly as they approached St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Steelton, PA.  The goal was to grow in Christ through education and prayer.  Father Christopher welcomed around 20 faithful from the Harrisburg area to a retreat entitled:  The Arena -The Battle of Great Lent.

The Serbian Patriarch in Prizren

His Holiness the Patriarch visited the Holy Archangels Monastery not far from Prizren, foundation of Serbian Emperor Dusan, and got familiar with the renovation works of this great sanctuary that has been destroyed many time throughout the history. The Patriarch was welcomed by abbot Mihailo and his brotherhood.

Patriarch Irinej then visited, according to his words, one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches - the Church of the Virgin Mary of Leviska, which is under the protection of the UNESCO.

Together with Bishop Teodosije, the Patriarch was welcomed by the principal of the shrine, Reverend Djordje Stefanovic.

Having visited these ancient Serbian sacred places, Patriarch Irinej arrived into the famous Prizren Theological School, which he himself attended and for longer than a decade was a teacher and Principal of this well-known Church educational institution.

It was in Prizren that the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church attended the evening worship in the Cathedral of St. George located in the centre of the city..

The Serbian Patriarch visited Serbian settlements Orahovac, Velika Hoca and Zociste

His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Irinej visited Orahovac, where he celebrated the Holy Liturgy in the church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos on April 14, 2019.

A visit to Velika Hoca followed, where both the old and the young welcomed joyously their Patriarch accompanied by Bishop Teodosije, in the church-yard of the Holy Archdeacon Stefan. The girls in the costumes gave them lilac bouquets and offered bread and salt. The Patriarch addressed the gathering, expressing his joy at meeting them, and directed a word of encouragement.

The Patriarch then visited the Decani wine store  and the wine store of the Petrovic family, after which he headed towards Zociste.