Serbian Patriarch Irinej in canonical visit to the Diocese of Canada

His Holiness Irinej , Serbian Patriarch arrived on Thursday, April 19, 2012 in late afternoon hours in Toronto, in his first canonical visit to the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada.

His Holiness was welcomed at the Toronto airport by many Serbian believers led by the priesthood of Ontario and His Grace Bishop Georgije of Canada, as well as representatives of the consulate of the Republic of Serbia in Toronto.

At the seat of the Diocese of Canada, the monastery of Holy Transfiguration in Milton, after doxology at the chapel of Three Hierarchs, which was led by syngeloos Vasilije (Gavrilovic), the head of the monastery, His Holiness was greeted by Bishop Georgije of Canada. Welcoming Serbian Patriarch, Bishop asked him to bless with the blessing of St. Sava the priesthood, monks and the faithful of the Diocese of Canada. Following that the Patriarch blessed them and held a sermon.

After the doxology, at the monastery guesting house a table of love was prepared.

During the visit the Patriarch will enhance marking of the 25th anniversary of the Diocesan magazine and the publishing house Istocnik on April 20, 2012 at the monastery of Holy Transfiguration. The Patriarch will bless a new fresco in the greatest Serbian church in Canada, the church of Serbian Saints in Mississauga, the western part of Toronto, on Sunday, April 22, 2012. Services and meetings with the Patriarch are scheduled in Hamilton, Kitchener and Waterloo, the cities with a major Serbian population.

Source: Istocnik, f. Milos Puric