Hierarchal Divine Service was held on the Patronal Day of the Russian Church in Belgrade

DECR Communication Service, 05.06.2023.

The Patronal Feast of the Holy Trinity Church - a Metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Serbian capital - was celebrated on June 5, 2023, the Feast Day of the Holy Spirit. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, the festive service was celebrated at the church by His Holiness' vicar, Bishop Hilarion of Novobrd.

At the Divine Liturgy in the church of the Diocese, the Archbishop was joined by: Archimandrite Nektarije (Đurić), Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark in Belgrade, Archpriest Vitali Tarasijev, Rector of the Russian Orthodox Church in Belgrade, Archpriest Nebojsa Topolic, Rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Zemun, Archpriest Lazar Vojodić, Rector of the Home Chapel at the Bežanijska Kosa Hospital in Belgrade, Priest Miodorag Nesić, Priest Jovan Jeftenić, Archdeacon Stevan Rapajić and Deacon Nikola Kostić.

The service, which was attended by a large number of parishioners, was also attended by Palilula Rade Petrovic of the city municipality.

Addressing those present in the church with a sermon, Vladyka Hilarion reminded them that by the Holy Spirit we are all united and have become "citizens of the state for which we are all determined - the Kingdom of Heaven". According to his thought, the Holy Trinity Church of the Methochion represents "a miracle, for little Serbia has given refuge to great Russia, our little Fatherland has embraced Rus’ and is leavened by Rus’... As one bishop said, the whole world smells of Rus’, and distant America is leavened, apart fr om everything else, also by the spirit of Russian Orthodoxy and now abides with us in prayer ... We must not forget this, we should strive daily for unity, overcoming all the obstacles established between us by sin, and thus build peace in the world, and pray for peace ... For the Lord will ask each one of us: "Wh ere is your brother?" - and we must give a different answer to the one of Cain. May the Lord grant that peace may reign, through the prayers of our Most Holy Patriarch Porfirije, whose blessing I pass on to you. May the Lord grant us that the grace of the Holy Spirit may guide our lives.

In conclusion, the hierarch thanked all those gathered for keeping the prayerful spirit of the Holy Trinity Church alive. Remembering with gratitude the Rector of the church, Archpriest Vasily Tarasyev of blessed memory, "a true servant of the altar of the Lord", thanks to whom Vladyka Hilarion "here received solace as in the house of the Father", he gave his blessing to the present and all future generations of parishioners of this church.

Thanking Bishop Hilarion of Novobrd for serving the Liturgy on this festive day, Archpriest Vitaly Tarasiev said: "During the service, we prayed especially fervently for our brothers and sisters who for many decades have been defending their shrines and their homes in Kosovo and Metohija, in the holy Serbian land that preserves all Serbian people and all Serbia. Praying for peace in Kosovo and Metohija and for the preservation of Serbian homes there is our special spiritual feat, which we perform daily at Liturgy in our church."

Father Vitaly also asked Vladyka to convey his gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije for his continued love and care for the parish of the Holy Trinity Church.

He presented Vladyka Hilarion with an image of the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov as a gift from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.

The service was followed by a festive reception in the Chancery Hall.