Department for External Church Relations
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Episcopal Service was celebrated at the Russian Church Metochion in Belgrade on the 17th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
DECR Communication Service, 03.12.2025.
On February 1, 2026, on the 17th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Church of the Metochion of the Russian Orthodox Church in Belgrade was celebrated by Bishop Ilarion of Novo Brdo, Vicar of the Patriarch of Serbia.
Concelebrating with the hierarch were the rector of the Metochion, Mitred Archpriest Vitaly Tarasyev; the rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Apostle Mark in Belgrade, Archpriest Branislav Borota; Archpriest Boris Savich; clergy of the Niš Diocese, Protosyncellus Sava; Priest Zoran Kerezović and Priest Miodrag Nešić; and Protodacon Stevan Rapaich.
Present at the service were the Chairman of the Serbian People’s Party and Minister of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Nenad Popović, together with his wife; Counselor-Envoy of the Embassy of Russia in Serbia A.N. Konanykhin; Director of the Office for Religious Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Vladimir Roganović; and representatives of the municipal authorities of Belgrade.
After the Gospel reading, Bishop Ilarion delivered a sermon dedicated to the Lord’s parable of the Publican and the Pharisee.
At the conclusion of the service, the rector of the Metochion, Archpriest Vitaly Tarasyev, addressed words of greeting to Bishop Ilarion of Novo Brdo, thanking the archpastor for his prayerful participation in the celebration of this date of great significance for the Russian Orthodox Church and emphasizing the continuous spiritual ties between the two Churches, strengthened by unity of mind and brotherly feelings. Archpriest Vitaly mentioned important milestones of the primatial ministry of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, noting in particular that one of the most significant results of His Holiness’s labors has been the strengthening of the Church’s internal mission.
As a commemorative gift, Father Vitaly presented Bishop Ilarion with a Chinovnik of episcopal liturgical service.
In his response, the hierarch conveyed greetings and congratulations from His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of his enthronement, with wishes for many more years of primatial ministry.
After the service, a festive reception was held in the hall of the Metochion’s parish house.
Patriarch
Department Chairman
Sermons
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06.11.2020