Serbian Patriarch Irinej and Bishop Jovan of Sumadija served Divine Liturgy in Jagodina

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch visited Jagodina on Sunday, October 16, 2011, on the feast day of St. Dyonisius the Areopagite, the Athenisan judge who was converted to Christianity with a sermon of Apostle Paul at Athenian areopagus, and who was according to the legend the first Athenian bishop, and served the Divine Liturgy with his host Bishop Jovan of Sumaidja and with the concelebration of a guest from greece father Sotiros Patras and the clergy of the Diocese of Sumaidja. The occasion for this visit of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irinej was a memorial service for the 80th anniversary since the erection and the consecration of the monument to suffered citizens of Jagodina in all wars fought for the liberation of Serbia, which is located at the Square of youth in the centre of the city. 

Patriarch Irinej along with Bishop Jovan of Sumadija was welcomed by pupils of Jagodina primary and high schools, mayor of Jagodina Mr. Dragan Markovic, representatives of the city services, the most significant city businessmen, representatives of political organizations, then more than a thousand believers from Jagodina and those who came organized to Jagodina from Nis, Krusevac and other cities from Jagodina. That the Church of Christ gathers many believers a proof is also this number of those who wanted to say to Patriarch - Osana,  also like children who cheered Christ when he was entering Jerusalem. All gathered around their spiritual shepherd - Patriarch Irinej, today in Jagodina remembered that magnificent and silent farewell of the Serbs from Patriarch Irinej of blessed repose, when without an appeal or a call from the church dignitaries, almost million people were on the streets of the Serbian capital. So it was today. Since the church of Sts. Apostles Peter and Paul was too small to accomodate all believers, for a great number of those who left in front, a great video screen was placed where they could follow the service. The liturgy was enhanced with a chanting of pupils of the Seminary of Kraguvac St. John Chrysostom led by their professor of chanting Mrs. Ognjenka Jeftic, as well as the choir Oplenac led by Mrs. Marija Rakonjac. 

Greeting His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, Bishop Jovan of Sumadija thanked for his visit to Jagodina and the Communion with Body and Blood of Christ, emphasizing that this people participate increasingly in Holy Secrets and the Liturgy, so he asks His Holiness that with his prayers grows in God Live.

After the Liturgy, a procession led by Patriarch Irinej and Bishop Jovan went to the centre of the city, where the memorial service for all Jagodina citizens suffered in the wars for liberation of Serbia until today was served.

Source: Diocese of Sumadija - protodeacon Miroslav Vasilijevic