Serbian Patriarch Irinej serves commemoration for the victims of the Novi Sad Raid

At the Quay of the Raid victims in Novi Sad near the Monument Families, organized by the Orthodox Diocese of Backa and the Jewish municipality of Novi Sad, on January 23, 2012, the prayerful commemoration for the citizens of our city who innocently suffered from the Hungarian occupation forces seventy years ago.

Before several thousand citizens of Novi Sad, descendants and admirers of the innocent victims of the Novi Sad Raid, on behalf of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the commemoration was served by His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch. His Holiness Patriarch Irinej was concelebrated by Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, Their Graces Bishops: Vasilije of Zvornik-Tuzla, Longin of Nova Gracanica-Midwestern America, Irinej of Backa, Lukijan of Osek-Polje and Baranja, Pahomije of Vranje, Jovan of Sumadija, Ignjatije of Branicevo, Filaret of Milesevo, Fotije of Dalmatia, Joanikije of Budimlje-Niksic, Milutin of Valjevo, David of Krusevac, Porfirije of Jegar, Jovan of Lipljan and the priesthood of the Diocese of Backa.

On behalf of the Jewish community of Serbia the prayerful commemoration was held by Isak Asiel, the chief rabi of Serbia. The gathered people was addressed by His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, BIshop Irinej of Backa and the director of the Centre Simon Wiesenthal from Jerusalem, Mr. Efraim Zuroff.

The ambassador of Izrael Mr. Joseph Levi and ambassador of the Republic of Hungary Mr. Oscar Nikoviz, although present at the Quay of the Raid Victims, were prevented by the city authorities to, by the protocol, participate in the programme and lay wreaths to the victims of the Raid.

The same day at 3 p.m. at the Strand, at the spot where most of our citizens were thrown under ice, in the organization of the Church Community of Novi Sad and the Memorial society Raid 1942, the priests of Novi Sad served the commemoration for the suffered.

Source: Diocese of Backa