Important News

Fire extinguished - rain fell after the procession and the moleben

LATEST NEWS: Sunday, August 12, 2012 (8 a.m.)  - THE FIRE ON MOUNT ATHOS PUT OUT. THE HILANDAR MONASTERY SAVED.

Last night at 10.48 p.m. of local time on Mount Athos  a heavy rain began. According to reports of eyewitnesses, a real downpour happened. 

The Most Holy Theotokos, the Comforter of sadness, not burned in the great fire of 1722 with its prayerful advocacy put out the fiery torch that has been burning for 5 days and devoured everything in sight and came at 1300 m close to the Hilandar. On Saturday the monastery brotherhood held a procession and the moleben on the line of the fire, believing in the protection of Most Holy Theotokos to which all Mount Athos is devoted. Monks bore the icon of the Theotokos " The Comforter of sadeness" and the part of the Precious cross". The wonder-working icon was once again stronger than the devastating fire.

Large Forest Fires near Hilandar

LATEST NEWS: Friday, August 10, 2012 at 8 a.m. - The Hilandar has reported that the fires approached to 3.5 km from the monastery. 

Since last night, due to unfavorable wind direction, the fire moved by 1.5 km towards the Hilandar. In relation to the line of defense wich fireprotecting road represents in the area of Proto Nero, the fire is only 700 meters away, which is extremely dangerous for the defense of  the Hilandar. Forty-nine firefighters ,rescuers, from Serbia with four fire engines and other operational vehicles are expected to arrive any moment.

Ten years suffering for Christ

In the United States of America, the internet site “Free Archbishop Jovan” (see here) which informs the English speaking public about the state persecution on religious grounds in R. Macedonia, targeted against Archbishop Jovan of Ohrid, the Bishops, clergy, monasticism and faithful people of the canonical Church in our fatherland, the Orthodox Ohrid Archbishopric, is active for several years.

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch attends inauguration of the President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch attended yesterday, on June 11, 2012 on the occasion of the inauguration of the President of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic. The reception at the building of the Presidency of Serbia was also attended by His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa and His Grace Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno, vicar of Serbian Patriarch.  

Tomislav Nikolic - New President of Republic of Serbia

At the special session of the Assembly of Serbia, Mr. Tomislav Nikolic passed his oath yesterday and began a five-year term as president of Serbia. The ceremony at the House of the National Assembly of Serbia was attended by His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch and members of the Holy Synod of Bishops, Their Graces Bishops Irinej of Backa and Jovan of Sumaidja, as well as Bishop Atanasije of Hvosno, vicar of the Serbian Patriarch.