Serbian Orthodox Church

Press Release from St Sava Cathedral

The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava in New York City, an architectural treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a New York City landmark, was tragically destroyed by a fire on Sunday, May 1, 2016, on Easter, the holiest day for Eastern Orthodox Christians.

Archbishop Demetrios visits St Sava Cathedral

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America visited St. Sava Cathedral on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 to pray with and give support to the Serbian community in New York. He was visibly moved by the devastating scene left behind after the May 1st fire that destroyed the entire church building, and ajoining rooms. He prayed with those present by singing the paschal hymn 'Hristos Voskrese' and the troparion to St. Sava. The Serbian community of New York, the deanery, and throughout the Eastern Diocese thank His Eminence for his love and support!

Lazarus Saturday at St Stevan's

His Grace Bishop Mitrophan made a pastoral visit to the St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church in Lackawanna, NY, on Friday, April 22-Saturday, April 23. The visit came after the Priests’ Confession, which was held in the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Heritage, PA, on Friday. The two-day visit began with Small Vespers on the Eve of Lazarus Saturday, and continued with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday. The Kosta Manojlovich Choir sang the responses, as the liturgical texts echoed the Raising of Lazarus and the announcement of the Universal Resurrection. Many faithful from the parish community were in attendance, and a Lenten luncheon followed the service. A special honor for the faithful and the children of the parish was His Grace’s leading of our Vrbice Procession, followed by Great Vespers. Each of the faithful were anointed with the blessed oil by His Grace, and adults and children alike received a small prosfora. The children were delighted to wear the traditional bells during the Procession and Vesper service.

The Feast of Our Lady Queen of Los Angeles

The Feast of Our Lady the Queen of Angels (Los Angeles) was celebrated for the second time on Bright Saturday, May 7, 2016, at the St. Steven’s Cathedral in Alhambra.

The Synaxarion: "On this day, the Saturday of Bright Week, we celebrate the Synaxis of our All-holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-virgin Mary, the Queen of all and Sovereign Lady of the Angels, protectress and unfailing intercessor of our holy diocese of Los Angeles."

High representative of the Church of England paid a visit to the Serbian Patriarch

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, received Archdeacon Colin Williams, High Representative of the Church of England for Europe with the residence in Frankfurt, at the Serbian Patriarchate on 7 May 2016.

Father Colin Williams informed His Holiness on his official visit to the Anglican community in Belgrade and conveyed greetings not only from the Archbishop of Canterbury but also from the Bishop of the Anglican Church for Europe Lord Robert Innes. The reception was attended by Very Rev. Father Robin Fox, official representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Belgrade, and priest Vladimir Vranic, chief of the Office of Serbian Patriarch. After the official audience, the high guest visited also the Patriarchal chapel, where he had an opportunity to find out more about the history of the chapel and the Patriarchate Palace, and also the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Easter reception in Sarajevo

On Easter Monday, 2 May 2016, His Grace Bishop Grigorije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina,  Administrator of the Metropolitanate of Dabar-Bosnia, arranged an Easter reception for representatives of the Church and religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, diplomatic corps and international organizations, public and political life of BiH, Republic of Srpska and Federation BiH.

Among invitees there were representatives of other Churches and religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, MPs and delegates in the Parliament Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ministers and deputy ministers in the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the authorities of the Republic of Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as representatives of political and public life.