Serbian Orthodox Church

Pilgrimage to the Holies of Russia

Pentecost in Sergiyev Posad with the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

Complete photo gallery on Flikr

Pilgrimages and homages to the relics and holy sites have a long history and great significance in our tradition, as well as in the identity creation of the believers. Pilgrims do not aim, unlike tourists, to find something exotic, original, and unchanged; nor to consume some pseudo-spiritual places and events, or to catch an event more meaningful than a spiritual and Eucharistic life of their local church. The goal of pilgrimages is to seek God, renounce oneself and the imagined securities in life, in the presence of the most holy and sacred places, and other fellow pilgrims. This makes humility and repentance (change) main virtues of a pilgrim, as opposed to tourists who with a cosmopolitan (unchanged) gaze search for ‘authentic’ (unchanged) places that are also unaffected by the presence of other (tourists).

Meeting of the Diocesan Council Was Held in Canada

On Thursday, June 11, 2015 His Holiness Serbian Patriarch and administrator of the Diocese of Canada held his first meeting with the members of the Diocesan Council, held in the Library of the Transfiguration Monastery in Milton.

The planned meeting of the Diocesan Council of the Canadian Diocese was successfully held. Members of the Council, gathered around the Patriarch, were informed of the plans regarding the organization and work of the Diocese of Canada. After opening the meeting and thanking the members of the Council, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej stated that the only work plan and program which needs to be adhered to is the Holy Gospel.

Patriarch visits Serbian Community and Orthodox Serbs in Niagara Falls

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administraror of the Diocese of Canada, visited the Serbian community and the St. George parish in Niagara Falls on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

Protonamesnik Dejan Obradovic, the parish priest, welcomed His Holiness, together with Episcopal Deputy V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije Tomic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Lazar Vukojev, V. Rev. Stavrophor Prvoslav Puric, V. Rev. Dobrica Obradovic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Vojislav Pavlovic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Milovan Sredojevic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Milojko Dmitric, Fr. Djuro Samac, Protonamesnik Aleksandar Crnogorac, secretary of the Diocesan Council, and Fr. Jovan Marjanac.

Patriarch Irinej in Toronto

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej, administrator of the Diocese of Canda, visited the Serbian community and St. Sava parish in Toronto on Tuesday, June 9, 2015.

Welcoming His Holiness were the parish priests, V. Rev. Stavrophor Milutin Veljko, together with Episcopal Deputy V. Rev. Stavrophor Vasilije Tomic, V. Rev. Stavrophor Lazar Vukojev, V. Rev. Stavrophor Prvoslav Puric, V. Rev. Stavrophor Stavrophor Ljubomir Rajic, V. Rev. Zlatibor Djurasevic, Protonamesnik Aleksandar Crnogorac, secretary of the Diocesan Council, and Fr. Jovan Marjanac.

Holy Trinity Mission Slava Celebration

Each year His Grace Bishop Dr. Mitrophan consistently brings joy, love and honor to Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Mission in Fairmont,West Virigina at the time of the Mission Slava.

This year the celebration was on June 5, Friday of Pentecost week. His Grace came for the Vespers and Blessing of the Slava Kolach and Koljivo. Faithful parishioners and friends of the parish participated.

Fourth Episcopal Visit to Mexico City

His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America made his fourth canonical visit to the Orthodox faithful in the capital city of Mexico from June 6-7, 2015.

Accompanying His Grace was V. Rev. Blasko Paraklis, administrator of the Serbian mission there. Per the decision of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Serbian faithful in this country are placed under the pastoral care and canonical jurisdiction of the Bishop of Western America. Serbian Ambassador to Mexico Goran Mesic prepared a warm welcome for his distinguished guests.