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Serbian Patriarch Irinej enthroned at Pec Patriarchate in Kosovo-Metohija

Pec, 3 October 2010

Serbian Patriarch Irinej was officially enthroned as the 45th Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church at the Pec Patriarchate in Kosovo-Metohija today.

Over 400 high-ranking officials, representatives from Orthodox Churches worldwide, representatives from other religious communities and several thousand believers were present at the ceremony.

Serbia was represented by President Boris Tadic and the international community by Head of the EULEX Mission Yves de Kermabon and UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej delivered a sermon following the ceremony outlining that traces of Serbian spirituality and historical roots are being erased in Kosovo-Metohija, calling upon the international community and Kosovo Albanians to ensure peace in the province.

From this holy place we plead to the powers of the world, in whose hands lies the fate of Kosovo-Metohija, not to commit sins against their souls by choosing a decision about the fate of the province which would deprive the Serbian people of their ancient right to their own land, to the graves of their ancestors and their glorious holy sites, the Patriarch declared.

He also addressed the Albanian people in the province calling upon peace and unity based on human and the Lord’s justice.

Let us pray that peace, harmony and love may rule between the peoples and wounds inflicted by hatred and menace finally heal, the Patriarch stated.

The Patriarch remarked that he was elected and seated on the holy throne of Serbian patriarchs, which was established by the First Hierarch Saint Sava (c. 1174–1236).

He recalled that for seven and a half centuries the Patriarchate of Pec has guarded the throne where Saint Sava’s successors are seated, saying that he expects celestial assistance from holy archbishops and patriarchs, especially those whose holy remnants are resting in this sacred place.

I expect spiritual and moral assistance from my brothers’ hierarchs, the clergy, the monks and believers, Patriarch added.

The present time is similar to the times and circumstances in which the Serbian Church went through some difficult times in its history, the Patriarch said, adding that the consequences of those hard times are still visible, that many temples have been burned down, razed to the ground and plundered.

The Patriarch observed that the Serbian people, who have lived here for centuries and left the traces of their existence, stressed that Kosovo lost thousands of its inhabitants who were banished, and that their traces and roots are being erased.

These people are waiting for the day when they will be able to return to their homes, even though they have been burned and destroyed, Patriarch Irinej maintained noting that only a few of the bravest managed to return to their family homes.

The Serbian people have no other country but Serbia and Kosovo-Metohija has been a part of it for centuries, the Patriarch underlined.

Following the ceremony Patriarch Irinej blessed the gathered believers, the entire Serbian people and everyone in the world.

Belgrade Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar, Reis ul-Ulema of the Muslim community in Serbia Adem Zilkic and Serbian Mufti Muhamed Jusufspahic also attended the ceremony.

The Russian Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Ilarion, the Jerusalem Patriarchate by Archbishop Theofilaktos, the Georgian Patriarchate by Metropolitan Gerasim, the Romanian Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Irinej and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Domentijan.

The Cypriot Orthodox Church was represented by Metropolitan Hrizostom, the Greek Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Theologos, the Albanian Orthodox Church by Metropolitan Ignatios and a representative from the Polish Orthodox Church.

Member of the Croatian Parliament Milorad Pupovac, Prince Aleksandar Karadjordjevic and Russian Ambassador Alexander Konuzin were also present.

The Patriarchate of Pec is the traditional seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church where Serbian patriarchs have been enthroned for centuries.

Patriarch Irinej succeeded late Patriarch Pavle who was at the head of the Serbian Church for 19 years.