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On 4 February 2018, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Trinity – Representation of the Russian Orthodox Church in Belgrade. His visit to the Representation was timed to the 9th anniversary of enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia that took place on 1 February 2009.

Concelebrating with the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church were Archpriest Vitaly Tarasyev, rector of the Russian Representation in Belgrade, and clergy of the Belgrade archdiocese.

After the Liturgy, Archpriest Vitaly Tarasyev greeted His Holiness Patriarch Irinej, presenting him with the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God.

His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia congratulated the rector of the Holy Trinity Church and its parishioners on the commemoration day of the Synaxis of New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church and on the 9th anniversary of enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. “At this holy place we are praying to the Lord that He grant health and longevity to this great hierarch of the Orthodox Church not only for the sake of the Russian people, but also for the sake of the entire Orthodox world,” His Holiness said.

Patriarch Irinej reminded all those present about the difficult periods in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, mentioning the most severe persecutions that it underwent in the 20th century and its current spiritual revival.

While speaking about the importance of maintaining and promoting brotherly relations with Russia, His Holiness Patriarch Irinej noted that for Serbia separation from Russia would mean separation from itself. “We trust in God, hoping that it will not happen,” he added.

After the Divine Liturgy Patriarch Irinej of Serbia said a moleben of thanksgiving to mark the anniversary of the Primatial ministry of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

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DECR Communication Service