“The Demise of Patriarch Irinej — A Great Loss for Orthodox Christianity” George Alexander (OCP Secretary)

George Alexander – OCP Secretary with late Patriarch Irinej of Serbia. A file photo. OCP Media Network

OCP News Service- OCP Secretariate – 20/11/2020

A Statement from George Alexander, Secretary of Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE (Pan-Orthodox Christain Society) on the demise of His Holiness Irinej, the Patriarch of Serbia.

Global: “The heavenly abode of His Holiness Irinej, the Patriarch of Serbia is an enormous loss to the Orthodox Christian world” stated George Alexander, Secretary of Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE, Pan-Orthodox Christian Society.

The late Patriarch was a soft-spoken and gentle human being. He provided adequate support to the Serbs in the Diaspora apart from catering to issues in the country. He also fostered a robust relationship between the Church and the State. Patriarch Irinej was gravely concerned about the issues of Kosovo and firmly opposed its international recognition of Kosovo.

The Patriarch cherished dynamic relations with the Oriental Orthodox Churches, especially the Syriac Orthodox Church, thereby remaining open to Pan-Orthodox dialogue and unity. Patriarch Irinej advocated dialogue and unity between Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches by stating that “What unites us is love and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are one Church, although, sorrowfully, the historical circumstances had divided us.” The Patriarch remained in favor of  Pan-Orthodox unity.

He also adopted a sensible and balanced approach towards Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other Christian denominations.

George Alexander was received by the late Patriarch on the 13th of April 2018 at the Patriarchal residence in Belgrade. The patriarch was a recipient of the OCP Icon of St Peter and St. Thomas. He was a great well-wisher of the Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE Society.

Source:
OCP – News Service