New Ethiopian Patriarch elected

Archbishop Abune Mathias of Jerusalem elected 28 February 2013 as the sixth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Church, six months after the death of the previous Patriarch Abune Paulos.

On Sunday, 3 March 2013 Abune Mathias will be enthroned in Adis Abeba, the capital of Ethiopia.  The new head of this Church served as Archbishop of the diocese of Jerusalem and lived abroad for more than 30 years.

National Library marked its day

The National Library of Serbia marked the 181th anniversary of its existence with various manifestations. During the central ceremony a traditional award of the Library was presented for the best among the most read books. This year’s laureate is Slobodan Tisma for his novel Bernardi’s room (Bernardijeva soba). Yesterday’s celebration of the Day of the National Library attended: His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch; Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, President of the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister of the Government; Mr. Bratislav Petkovic, Minister of Culture and Information; His Grace Bishop Andrej of Remesiana; Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hocevar…

Audiences at Serbian Patriarchate on 27 and 28 February 2013

There were several audiences on 27 and 28 February 2013 at the Serbian Patriarchate.

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, received on February 27th the delegation of the Association of descendants of the soldiers in the liberation wars 1912-1920.

Following day, on February 28th His Holiness met with Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert. Their Graces Bishops Teodosije of Raska-Prizren and Andrej of Remesiana attended the meeting.

Saint Simeon the Myrhh-Gusher solemnly celebrated at Studenica monastery

In attendance of  a great  number of the faithful of the area of Studenica, the feast day of Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher – Patron Saint-day of the small church within the Studenica monastery – was solemnly marked with the Divine Liturgy. His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadia, bishop administrator of Zica, served with the concelebration of  Studenica’s Abbot Tihon, and number of priests and monks.

Decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops - January 24, 2013

Please be informed of several changes in the 2013 church calendar made by the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade based on on characteristics of the Orthodox Church Typicon:

• The feast day of the 1st and 2nd Finding of the Head of St. John the Baptist, which falls on Meatfare Saturday, March 9/24, will be celebrated on Friday, March 8/23 (Great Typicon, compiled by V. Rev. V. Nikolajevic, 46a).

• The feast day of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste (Youth's Day), which falls on Friday of the first week of Lent, March 22/9, will be celebrated on Cheese-fare Sunday, March 17/4 (Great Typicon, compiled by V. Rev. V. Nikolajevic, 46a).

• The feast day of the Translation of the Relics of St. Nikolaj of Zicha, which falls on Great and Holy Friday, May 3/April 20, will be celebrated on Tuesday of Bright Week, May 7/24 (since the feast day of St. George the Greatmartyr, falls on Bright Monday).