New Patriarch Enthroned
23/1/2010
BELGRADE — The new patriarch, Bishop Irinej of Niš, was enthroned on Saturday, January 23, in Belgrade’s Cathedral Church, following the morning service.
Bishop Irinej also led the morning liturgy before the enthronement.
He was elected on Friday by the Electoral Synod of the Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) as the new patriarch. According to church law, he must be enthroned the day after being elected.
“The holy, official act of enthroning is done in the Peć patriarchy monastery, but that is not related to the deadline, and that deadline will be determined later in accordance with the decision of the patriarch himself, and the Synod,” Irinej said earlier regarding the protocol.
The new patriarch arrived to the church just before 9:00 CET, accompanied by senior officials of the SPC.
The enthronement was attended by Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković, Parliamentary Speaker Slavica Đukić Dejanović, Belgrade Mayor Dragan Đilas, Presidential advisor Mlađan Đorđević and Republic of Srpska Prime Minister Milorad Dodik.
Also in attendance were Prince Aleksandar Karađorđević, Belgrade Archbishop Stanislav Hočevar, Apostolic Nuncio Orlando Antonini, Islamic Community of Serbia Mufti Muhamed Jusufspahić and Reis-ul-ulema Adem Zilkić, and former Serbian prime minister and former Niš mayor Zoran Živković.
There were also many citizens in attendance.
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