Serbian Orthodox Church

Bishop Isihije solemnly enthroned on the throne of the Diocese of Valjevo

At the magnificent liturgical gathering in the church of the Resurrection of Christ in Valjevo, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch solemnly introduced to the throne of the Diocese of Valjevo His Grace Bishop Isihije of Valjevo, to whom the Holy Assembly of Bishops entrusted the spiritual care of the people of God at the May session in the homeland of the newly saints of the Church of Christ, Saint Bishop Nikolaj and the Venerable Abba Justin.

A great joy brought many faithful people of the Valjevo region to the diocesan Cathedral church to welcome their new archpastor, Bishop Isihije, who will begin his ministry in that traditionally church-related area in the fifteenth year since the renewal of the Diocese of Valjevo. To welcome and offer prayers for him, together with the first hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church and numerous hierarchs.

His Grace Bishop Isihije of Valjevo officiated the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of His Beatitude Jovan, Archbishop of Ohrid and Metropolitan of Skopje; Their Graces Bishops Lavrentije of Sabac, Nikanor of Banat, Dositej of Britain-Scandinavia, Pahomije of Vranje, Fotije of Zvornik-Tuzla, Grigorije of Dusseldorf and Germany, Gerasim of Gornji Karlovac, Jovan of Slavonia, Ilarion of Timok, Arsenije of Nis, Siluan of Australia-New Zealand, Nikodim of Dalmatia, Heruvim of Osek-Polje and Baranja, Dimitrije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina, Metodije of Dioclea, elected Bishop of Budimlje-Niksic, Stefan of Remesiana, Marko of Bregalnica, retired Bishop Georgije of Canada and elected vicar Bishops Damaskin of Mohacs, Sava of Marca and Jerotej of Toplica, in the prayerful presence of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa, whose Vicar until the enthroenment to the throne of Bishops of Valjevo was Isihije. 

Numerous priests from many dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church concelebrated.  The service was enhanced by chanting of the Choir of priests and theologians conducted by protonamesnik Branko Colic, the Church Choir "Hadzi Ruvim" and the Chamber Choir "Emanuel" with conductors Vanja Urosevic and Milica Stepanovic-Babamilkic, as well as the Choir of Kovilj monks whose brother until recently was the bishop Isihije. Among the numerous distinguished guests of the ceremony were the head of Serbian diplomacy, Mr. Nikola Selakovic, Mayor of Valjevo Mr. Lazar Gojkovic, representatives of local self-governments of the Kolubara district, the Serbian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and public institutions.

• Biography of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo 
• Enthronment of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo(photo gallery 1) 
• Enthronment of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo(photo gallery 2) 
• Enthronment of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo(photo gallery 3)

Biography of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo

Biography of Bishop Isihije of Valjevo

Archimandrite Isihije (Rogic) was born on November 3, 1965 in Moscow, from father Milutin and mother Jelena Rogic. He lived in Belgrade, but, due to his father's diplomatic service, spent most of his childhood and youth abroad. In addition to Moscow, he lived in Beijing in China, Rangoon in Burma, Khartoum in Sudan and in Washington DC, the United States.

Serbian Patriarch receives Russian astronauts

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije received Russian astronauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Anastasia Stepanova in the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade on 24 June 2021.

The Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church in a cordial atmosphere led an extremely interesting conversation with Russian astronauts about many aspects of man's departure and stay in space. The Patriarch Porfirije conveyed to the guests his personal impression that he recognizes the elements of monastic life in the organization and way of life of the cosmonauts in the International Space Station. "In the spiritual life, we notice that the farther a person is from people and the world, the more he feels love for others and realizes how much he needs others. So, by discovering and knowing the universe, we are certainly getting closer to each other”, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said.

Holy Trinity Day at New Gracanica Monastery

“Let Thy Good Spirit lead me on a level path!”

On Sunday, June 20 (7), 2021, the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, which our people call “Holy Trinity Day” and “Duhovi,” was gloriously celebrated at the See of our Diocese, the Monastery of the Protection of the Theotokos in Third Lake, Illinois. The Monastery Church was beautifully decorated with greenery as is the custom on this great holy day.  Festal Matins were served by Rev. Petar Sailovic and Hierodeacon Makarije, with responses by the Dean of Students of the Theological Faculty Dragan Arsic (MA, PhD Can.) and seminarians. With the blessing of His Grace Bishop Longin, who traveled to Saint Louis for their Church Slava, His Grace Bishop Sava of Slavonia (retired) presided at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and at the Vespers which immediately followed. Concelebrants were V. Rev. Protosindjel Filotej (Petrovic), Rev. Petar Sailovic and Hierodeacon Makarije. Responses to the Liturgy and Vespers were sung by the Episcopal Choir.

Pentecost Tuesday

With the blessings of His Grace Bishop Irinej, on the third day of the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, Holy Liturgy was celebrated at St. Sava Church in St. Petersburg.

Bishop Irinej Visits Holy Ascension Parish in Youngwood

On June 13, 2021, the Seventh Sunday following Pascha, when we celebrate the memory of the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council (325AD), His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America celebrated the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the parish church of the Holy Ascension of Christ in Youngwood, Pennsylvania. Concelebrating with His Grace were Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Rodney Torbic, Presbyter Rumen Stoychev, parish priest, and Protodeacon Milos Zdralic. Also, prayerfully present was retired parish priest, Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Adam Yonitch.