For the first time since his election as Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (2010), His Beatitude Irinej is undertaking a canonical visit, from 02 to 13 March 2016, to the Serbian Diocese of Australia and New Zeeland. The agenda includes visits and services at the most important churches of the Serbian Orthodox communities in the two countries. Among the most important events in which Patriarch Irinej participates, we note the consecration of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Brunswick East suburb of the capital of the Australian state of Victoria (Melbourne).
Patriarch Irinej is accompanied by a delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church formed of His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Littoral, protopresbyter Stojadin Pavlovic, director of the administrative office of the Serbian Patriarchate, and deacon Aleksandar Sekulic, coordinator of the office of the Serbian Patriarch. His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Metropolis of Australia and New Zeeland, together with clergy and many faithful, welcomed the Serbian delegation at Melbourne Airport on Tuesday, 01 March 2016.
The next day, the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, with his delegation, visited St George Church, in St Albans suburb of Melbourne. On the initiative of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Borislav Petrovic, the faithful have gathered 10.000 AUD for the need of the young people and the vulnerable persons from Kosovo and Metohija.
In the afternoon of the same day, the Serbian delegation visited the monastery of the Mother of God Gorgoepikoos (She who is quick to hear), where they were welcomed by Bishop Ezekiel of Dervis and Bishop Iakovos of Militoupolis (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia), as well as by abbess Kalisteni.
His Beatitude Patriarch Irinej officiated the Divine Liturgy on Thursday, 3 March 2016, at St Sava Monastery in the town of Elaine, Victoria, with the concelebration of hierarchs and priests of the Serbian Metropolis of Australia and New Zeeland, as well as of the dioceses of the sister Orthodox Churches.
On the Sunday of the Last Judgement, 6 March 2016, the Serbian Patriarch officiated the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Brunswick East, together with Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and Littoral, Bishop Longin of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of New Gracanica and Midwestern America, and Bishop Irinej of the Metropolis of Australia and New Zeeland. On this occasion, His Beatitude consecrated the Cathedral. A great number of faithful took part in this event, mainly those who have contributed to the restoration and the embellishment of the church, which had been purchased in the 1970s from the Anglican Church. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Irinej offered gratitude awards and medals to the parishioners who by their donations and personal endeavours had given an example to their neighbours, and actively participate in the liturgical life of the Church.
Monday evening, 7 March 2016, at St Sava Church in Greensborough, His Beatitude Patriarch Irinej met the members of the Serbian Orthodox Youth Association, and held spiritual conversations with young people.
Visits to the major Serb Orthodox communities of the Perth-Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane-Wellington Deaneries are set in the coming days. Patriarch Irinej will attend Friday evening, March 11, the festivity dedicated to St Nikolaj Velimirovich, patron saint of the Serbian Orthodox Youth Association in Australia, organized by St Nicholas parish in Blacktown.
The canonical visit of His Beatitude Irinej, Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, will conclude Sunday, March 13, after the celebration of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at St Nicholas Church in Woolloongabba and the festal Luncheon. The departure for Serbia is scheduled for Sunday evening.
Source:http://spc.rs/
