Theophany at the Saint Nicholas church in Zemun

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, served yesterday, on the feast of Theophany, the Divine Liturgy at the Saint Nicholas church in Zemun.

The Patriarch was concelebrated by the clergy of the Archbishopric of Belgrade-Karlovac with the choir of this church singing responses. Historians of Zemun noted that the Theophany procession was held from 18 century until the beginning of the Second World War, after which it was held in 1945 and 19946. The procession was restored in 1998 and since then it has been continued until today.

Lots of believers, among which there was president of the Municipality of Zemun with associates, as well as representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces and the police, attended the prayerful gathering. After the blessing of the Theophany waters Patriarch Irinej went with the people in the procession until the Zemun's quay where he blessed competitors who swam for the Precious Cross in the Danube.

During the Holy Liturgy, Serbian Patriarch Irinej presented the Order of Saint Sava of the Second Degree to Mr. Branislav Prostran, Director of Jugoimport, and Mr. Damir Kovacevic, the Vice President of the Assembly of the Municipality of Zemun, for their specific and comprehensive devotion and love for the Holy Mother Church, especially shown in the restoration and building new churches and other buildings in the municipality of Zemun.