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THE NEW PATRIARCH OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
Although after the election, the Patriarch said that the election was conducted “quickly, and in a harmonious and a miraculous way,” events that preceded the enthronement of the new Serbian Patriarch were quite uncertain. Patriarch Irinej, 79, was one of three to win the most support in several rounds of voting in the Council of Bishops head dioceses in Serbia, the former Yugoslavia, Germany, the United States, and Australia. His name was then pulled by a senior monk from a sealed envelope “drawn by the Holy Spirit,”according to the SOC. There were controversies surrounding the election of the Patriarch regarding the influence of different lobbies within the SOC, but also the role of the state and politics. There have been reports about alleged power struggles between Bishops of the “Bosnian” and “Serbian” lobbies, and that government would in fact have the final say in the election. However, Irinej’s election signals that the church will stay neutral in the Serbian government’s attempts to join the European Union and other Western institutions. But he is heading the Council of Bishops, which is deeply divided over key issues and plagued by rivalries. Irinej was described as a traditionalist with “the political and diplomatic skills to reduce tensions within his own church.” Even before he was elected he also signaled that he wants the church to have better ties with the Vatican and has raised the prospect of the Pope’s first-ever visit to Serbia in 2013. On the other hand, the new patriarch has yet to say which other issues are on his agenda. He has yet to deal with problems stemming from the disintegration of the former country, including the emergence of orthodox churches in Macedonia and Montenegro and most important, the Kosovo issue. Patriarch Irinej is expected to introduce a higher level of discipline and order among the bishops, and to align their personal ambitions and wealth with the expectations of believers. The church has also failed to deal with priests who condoned war crimes and those accused of sexually abusing children nominally under their protection. Younger bishops are also fighting opposition from the dogmatists in a bid toward a modern church. Speaking about the tasks of the Serbian church, the new patriarch said that the SOC should help Serbia defend Kosovo and Metohija and to preserve the unity of the Serbian people. “We have many tasks to help our country defend Kosovo and Metohija. The Church must support these efforts, with no regrets, and if needed, even suffering. Kosovo is our holy land, our Jerusalem. If we forget Kosovo, Kosovo will forget us.” The main enthronement will be in Pec, seat of the Serbian patriarchs’ throne. “Serbia without its sacred Kosovo is not Serbia. Serbia without Kosovo has no soul, no mind, no heart,” said Irinej immediately after the inauguration. The Patriarch called for the unity of the Serbian Church, pointing out that one of its tasks is to “unite and preserve” the Serbian people living in various parts of the world. “We have other commitments that unite our people and preserve unity. This was the primordial task of the Church at all times.” After the inauguration, Patriarch Irinej said, “This is a great moment and a great day for me personally, and I believe for our people and our church also. The Serbian Patriarch has always represented the history of his people before God and shared his fate, joy, and tragedy. History speaks of it,” said Patriarch Irenaeus.” My heart is trembling as it is moved by the wind and flashes with a great consciousness and knowledge with the question whether I am worthy of this high title and this high honor. So this time my thoughts are directed to God, our savior, our shepherd who rewarded me with his goodness and grace.” Addressing the bishops, the new patriarch said that the SPC has a lot of tasks, but that issue should be left for the bishops’ discussion on future church councils “We are called to bear our cross and the cross is very heavy. Therefore I am inviting you to bear it together. I expect that we should together manage the Church of Christ. “On the issue of future tasks of the Church, the Patriarch said, “No need to ask which way to go. St.Sava leads us towards Christ, towards justice, towards the truth, and there is no need to ask the way, but only to follow him. I want to emulate our ancestors and to follow their example,” said Irenaeus, adding that “the Serbian people have never had a lack of “God’s people to emulate in life.” Religion analyst Mirko Djordjevic said, “Patriarch Irinej’ election is a good news for the Church and the people, as he is a man of dialogue. He is one of those people in whose biography no one can find single extremist statement.” BIOGRAPHY His Holiness Patriarch Irenaeus (Gavrilovic) of Serbia was born in the village of Vidova, near Cacak in 1930 of father and mother Zdravko and Milijana. When he was baptized, he was named Miroslav. He finished elementary school in his village, and then high school. After e high school he enrolled and completed the Seminary in Prizren, and then finished the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade. Upon graduation, he went into the army. Following his return from the army he was soon appointed professor of Prizren Seminary. Before taking the office of professor in September 1959 at Rakovica monastery, he was tonsured by His Holiness Patriarch German, gaining the monastic name of Irenaeus.
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Although after the election, the Patriarch said that the election was conducted “quickly, and in a harmonious and a miraculous way,” events that preceded the enthronement of the new Serbian Patriarch were quite uncertain. Patriarch Irinej, 79, was one of three to win the most support in several rounds of voting in the Council of Bishops head dioceses in Serbia ...