Serbian Orthodox Christians welcome church Patriarch
Serbian Patriarch in USA
24/2/2011
The sound of bells and choir voices and the flash of cameras greeted the highest-ranking official of the world’s Serbian Orthodox Church on Tuesday as he stepped into St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral.
Patriarch Irinej, of Belgrade, Serbia, officiated at the evening vesper service during his only scheduled stop in Northwest Indiana. A standing-room-only crowd of all ages filled the cathedral and choir loft for the service.
Dressed in purple vestments with a red-on-white stripe, the 80-year-old patriarch sat in the bishop’s chair and blessed the participants. Irinej was elevated from bishop to patriarch in January 2010.
“It’s a historical moment for our parish, and it’s a great honor for all Serbian and Orthodox people,” said the Rev. Aleksandar Novakovic, of St. Elijah.
“The patriarch is our equivalent of the pope in the Roman Catholic Church. He came to St. Elijah because we are a cathedral,” said Bob Pusara, of Crown Point.
Girls from St. Elijah’s Sunday school classes dressed in traditional ethnic Serbian dresses, welcoming the patriarch with flowers, bread and salt. Boys from the parish served at the altar, garbed in robes.
Priests from other parishes and Bishop Longin, of the Midwestern diocese, attended the special vesper service. The Rev. Jovan Todorovich, who retired from St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Merrillville, traveled from Florida for the occasion.
“People have come from Chicago, South Bend, all over the area,” said Nick Beader, of Schererville, president of St. Elijah’s.
Nancy Schumacher, of Valparaiso, brought her 2-year-old daughter, Izabela, to witness Irinej’s visit.
“It’s a blessing to be here,” said Schumacher, with tears in her eyes as she held Izabela up to see the service. “It’s an opportunity for a special blessing.”
Following the service, Irinej met with members of the clergy and then joined 300 guests for a banquet at St. Elijah Hall.
The patriarch arrived in Chicago on Feb. 16 for a two-week visit to the Midwest. In addition to officiating at services at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, Irinej visited the Serbian Orthodox monastery in South Bend.
More than 300,000 Serbian Orthodox Christians live in Chicago area. There are more than 1 million worldwide.
