At the invitation of Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President and founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an interfaith organization dedicated to religious freedom and human rights, His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America accepted an invitation to participate in the 58th Annual Appeal of Conscience Foundation Gala held at The Pierre Hotel in New York City on Monday, September 18, 2023.

Among the numerous dignitaries, present were Their Eminences Timothy Cardinal Dolan of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York and Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer to the United Nations, and His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with the United States, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Permanent Representative of the Apostolic Armenian Church to the Holy See, and the Very Rev. Archimandrite Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate-elect of the Armenian Apostolic Church in America, The Honorable Eric Adams, Mayor of the City of New York, Her Excellency Katalin Novák, President of Hungary, His Excellency Bajram Begaj, President of Albania,  Former President of Serbia, Boris Tadic, His Excellency Ambassador Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, The Honorable John D. Negroponte, United States career diplomat and national security official, among others.

The prestigious 2023 World Statesman Award was presented to The Honorable Dr. Henry Kissenger, Former United States Secretary of State (1973-1977), honoring his 100^th birthday, for Lifetime Contributions to International Relations.

Under the leadership of Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation has worked worldwide on behalf of religious freedom, human rights, peace and tolerance since 1965. To uphold the principle "live and let live" is continuing goal. An interfaith coalition of business, religious and foreign policy leaders, this international organization promotes mutual understanding, peace and interreligious cooperation and provides a voice of conscience to protect minorities. The Foundation believes that freedom, democracy and human rights are fundamental values that give nations of the world their best hope for peace, security and shared prosperity.