Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
November 1, 2004

PATRIARCH PAVLE IN AUSTRALIA

On Wednesday, October 27, 2004 His Grace Bishop Milutin of Australia and New Zealand welcomed His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle, Bishop Irinej of Nis, Georgije of Canada, Bishop Longin of the Metropolitanate of New Gracanica in America and Canada, Bishop Jovan of Sumadija, Protodeacon Stevan Rapajic and Hypodeacon Miroslav Rakonjac. Bishop Milutin was accompanied by priests and the Serbian faithful, who bore flowers and greeted the group with “Long live Patriarch Pavle” and “Welcome, Father”.

Two days later, in the early morning on Friday, October 29, Doxology was served in the overflowing church of the Holy Trinity in Brunswick (Melbourne). On that occasion Bishop Milutin formally welcomed His Holiness and the Bishops. In his address the Patriarch responded with warm words of encouragement for all Orthodox Serbs in Australia.

The ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro, Mr. Milovan Glisic, and His Eminence the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Church in Melbourne, were among the guests. A press conference was held after the service. That afternoon, evening services and a memorial service for elder Proiguman Nikanor of the Holy Mountain was served in the monastery of St. Sava in Elaine.

On Sunday, October 21, 2004, His Holiness served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the concelebration of all Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church who accompanied the Patriarch on his visit to Australia, about twenty priests and deacons, and two choirs, in the presence of many faithful. This Holy service, Liturgy and the words of His Holiness will remain in the memory of our people. This day will be recorded in gold in the history of the Serbian people and their Church in Australia.

HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST LUKE – PATRON SAINT’S DAY
OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ACADEMY

On Sunday, October 31, 2004, the Academy for fresco painting and restoration of the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrated the feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, the first fresco painter and patron saint of this collegiate church-educational institute. Dean Protopresbyter Dr. Radomir Popovic broke the slava cake; also taking part in the ceremony of the cutting of the slava cake were Presbyter Zeljko Djuric, assistant professor in Dogmatics, Presbyter Aleksandar Sredojevic, assistant professor of General History of Christianity, and Deacon Srdjan Radojkovic, instructor of icon painting and drawing. The choir was directed by instructor Predrag Miodrag. On this occasion all professors and students of the Academy had an opportunity to mingle with guests and to celebrate St. Luke’s Day, the patron saint of the Serbian Orthodox Church Academy, in a formal atmosphere.

In the afternoon on the same day, an exhibition of icons on paper by students of the second year was opened in the Kolarceva Zaduzbina concert hall in Belgrade. The exhibition will remain open until November 10, 2004. On this occasion Academy Dean Protopresbyter Dr. Radomir Popovic presented diplomas to students who graduated in the preceding academic year.

NEW ANGLICAN CHAPLAIN IN BELGRADE APPOINTED TO OFFICE

On Saturday, October 30, 2004 in the Anglican chapel of St. Mary in Belgrade, the new Anglican chaplain, Robin Fox, was appointed to office. Father Robin Fox succeeded his predecessor, Philip Warner, who held the office since the year 2000.

The formal ceremony, which took place before several dozen Anglicans, primarily officials of diplomatic and economic representative offices in Belgrade headed by the ambassador of Great Britain, Mr. David Gowen, was performed by Bishop Geoffrey Rowell of Gibraltar, with the concelebration of several priests from London who traveled to Belgrade especially for this occasion.

His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic, a member of the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod of Bishops, welcomed Bishop Rowell and the delegation from England on behalf of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle. During their visit to Serbia, the guests also visited the monastery of Kovilj, where they met with His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa and His Grace Bishop Profirije of Jegar, the abbot of the Kovilj family.

[Serbian Translation Services]