Commemoration of Bishop Antonije (Panteliíć) at the Serbian Metochion in Moscow

DECR Communication Service, 19.04.2024. 

April 19, 2024, marked 40 days after the repose in the Lord of Bishop Antonije of Moravica, representative of the Patriarch of Serbia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and rector of the church of Ss Peter and Paul at the Yauza Gate – the Representation of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Russian capital.

The Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts was celebrated by Bishop Stefan of Remesiana, hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who arrived in Moscow with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia to take part in the commemoration of the late Bishop Antonije.

Concelebrating with the archpastor were archpriest Nikolai Balashov, advisor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; archimandrite Seraphim (Shemyatovsky), representative of the Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia at the Moscow Patriarchal Throne; archpriest Milan Pantelić, Bishop Antonije’s brother; clergyman of the Šabac diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church; archpriest Daniel Andreyuk, representative of the Orthodox Church in America to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'; clerics of the Serbian Metochion and the invited clergymen.

Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis, representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and All the East to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' prayed in the sanctuary.

The mother of the deceased archpastor was present in the church.

At the funeral litany, prayers were offered up for the repose of Bishop Antonije’s soul.

Before the memorial service, Metropolitan Niphon addressed Bishop Stefan of Remesiana, saying: “Today we, representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches, are praying together with you for our beloved brother Bishop Antonije. We knew him as a man who was living by eternity, taking example of the great fathers of the Church. Vladyka Antonije knew that witnessing about the Holy Trinity is the life of complete love. He knew that we were called to be the co-workers of God and live in fraternal communion with one another. Bishop Antonije cared for the faithful whom the Lord has entrusted him. He was their father, brother, spiritual guide and friend.”

Metropolitan Niphon expressed condolences on behalf of representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches at the Moscow Patriarchal Throne to the Primate of the Serbian Church, His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, and the Primate of the Russian Church, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill. Also, he addressed words of consolation and support to Bishop Stefan of Remesiana, to the relatives of the newly deceased Bishop Antonije, employees, and all the worshippers who have gathered at the Serbian Metochion to offer up common prayers for him.

Bishop Stefan thanked Metropolitan Niphon for his good eloquent words about the late hierarch and called all those present to prayer for his soul.

The memorial service at the deceased hierarch’s grave at the wall of the church was celebrated by Metropolitan Niphon of Philippopolis and Bishop Stefan of Remesiana together with the clergy.

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Bishop Antonije of Moravica, vicar of the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, passed away in the Lord after a serious long illness on March 11, 2024.

He became the representative of the Patriarch of Serbia to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' and the rector of the Representation of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Moscow in 2002 and remained in service until his untimely death.

Requiem service for the deceased was celebrated by the Primates of the Russian and Serbian Orthodox Churches at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.