Serbian Orthodox Church

Weekly Diocesan Bulletin - Sunday, May 31, 2015

Pentecost Sunday: 
The Descent of the Holy Spirit  

FIRST ANTIPHON:

 VERSE: The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.
REFRAIN: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Savior, save us.
VERSE: Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej received Cardinal Kurt Koch

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, received His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, the President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, at the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade yesterday, on 28 May 2015.

His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral and His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa attended the meeting. Cardinal Koch was accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio in Belgrade, Mons. Orlando Antonini, Archbishop of Belgrade Mr. Stanislav Hocevar, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity pater Hyacinthe Destivelle and Secretary of Apostolic Nunciature in Serbia pater Janusz Stanislaw Blachowiak.

Blessing of the renovated church in Belegis

For the citizens of the village of Belegis in Srem yesterday, Ascension Thursday, was a historic day! The Church dedicated to the Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas dawned brightly after months of planning, assisted by the township of Stara Pazova.

Young and old, locals and guests, republic, provincial and city representatives as well as the honored Mr. Tomislav Brankovic and his associates from the Committee for cooperation with church and religous institutions of the government of the Serbian Republic, all came to welcome their Graces: Bishop Vasilije of Srem, Bishop Jefrem of Banja Luka and Bishop Mitrophan of Eastern America. A magnificent welcome war prepared – first the Belegis horsemen, followed by fiacres with the hierarchs of our Church bringing blessings to the village of Belegis and children in folklore costume and flowers who with excitement welcomed the hierarchs.

Monastery Zica celebrates its Church slava

Monastery Zica, the first see of the Serbian Archbishopric, celebrated its Church Slava, the Ascension of our Lord, on 21 May 2015 with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the ancient church, officiated by His Grace Bishop Maxim of Western America.

Concelebrating were His Grace Bishop Justin of Zica and retired Bishop Atanasije of Hercegovina as well as Archimandrite Tikhon, abbot of Studenica Monastery, together with diocesan clergy and monastics. Many of the faithful gathered from throughout the diocese, as well as guests from monasteries: Chelije Piperske (Montenegro), Kovil near Ivanjica and Nikolje of Ovcar-Kablar, all of whom were joyfully welcomed by Abbess Jelena and the monastery sisterhood. During the liturgy Bishop Justin ordained Deacon Bojan Sujic from Raska to the rank of Priest.

Weekly Diocesan Bulletin - Sunday, May 24, 2015

Seventh Sunday of Pascha: The Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council; Saints Cyril & Methodius, Enlighteners of the Slavs

RESURRECTIONAL TROPARION - TONE SIX: The angelic powers were at Your tomb; the guards became as dead men.  Mary stood by Your grave, seeking Your most pure Body.  You did capture hell, not being tempted by it.  You did come to the Virgin, granting life.  O Lord who rose from the dead:  Glory to You!

Burning of the Relics of St. Sava – St. Sava Monastery Slava Commemorated on May 10, 2015

Sunday, May 10, 2015 was the Burning of the Relics of St. Sava, marking the burning of the relics of St. Sava at Vracar in Belgrade by Sinan Pasha in 1595. This is the Slava day of the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery, Libertyville, IIlinois. On Sunday, the clergy and faithful enthusiastically joined together to acknowledge the holiness of St. Sava who lives despite the burning of his relics.