The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church commenced on 14 May 2024, with the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy which began at 9 o’clock, and was presided over by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije, with the concelebration of Hierarchs from the homeland, at the Memorial Church of Saint Sava on Vračar.

– Brethren Hierarchs, brothers and sisters, as we have heard in the wonderful sermon of Bishop Ignjatije that just as everything has its source and its beginning in the Holy Liturgy, and that everything leads back to it, being that it is the beginning and goal of our life, also we, Hierarchs, gathered from all over the world here, in the covenantal Church of Saint Sava, have commenced the Holy Assembly of Bishops with the Holy Liturgy – said Patriarch Porfirije, emphasizing:

– We should have served the Holy Liturgy today, as you all know, at the Patriarchate of Peć, but the current authorities in Priština did not allow us to enter the Patriarchate of Peć. They closed both the administrative line and the doors of the Patriarchate of Peć for us. Yet, we understand that as everything happens by the providence of God, by the will of God, this also did not happen without certain sense. Likewise, we know, especially in these days, that there is no defeat in Christ, and that He, manifesting His love towards us humans and His Church by His Resurrection, He also confirmed and demonstrated that every victory resides in Him. Therefore, we are confident that the doors of the Patriarchate of Peć will sooner or later, by the providence of God, open not only for us but for every person, for all people of goodwill.

– Brothers and sisters, the Church is the Body of Christ, as we also heard in the sermon of Bishop Ignjatije, and everything that one does concerns the other. In that very manner, we Hierarchs are gathered here to, above all, in love, unity, and mutual understanding, and by the grace of God – as the prayer we have read says – do what is best for the salvation of the people of God. Therefore, your prayers are not only welcome but also necessary. We ask you to pray that this Assembly, like every one before it, passes in peace and love, and serves the building of the Body of Christ. Christ is risen! – concluded Patriarch Porfirije.

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On the basis of Article 59 of the Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church has convoked the Holy Assembly of Bishops, which was supposed to ceremonially begin today with the conciliar Holy Liturgy with the Invocation of the Holy Spirit at the Church of the Holy Apostles in the Stavropegial Lavra of the Patriarchate of Peć. However, due to the scandalous decision of the Priština authorities to prohibit the entry of the Serbian Patriarch and Hierarchs from the homeland to Kosovo and Metohija, the Holy Liturgy and the rite of the Invocation of the Holy Spirit were served this morning in the Church of Saint Sava on Vračar.

The working session of the highest hierarchical, ecclesiastical-legislative, and ecclesiastical-judicial body of the Serbian Orthodox Church, under the chairmanship of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije and with the participation of Their Eminences and Their Graces Diocesan Hierarchs, commenced today in the crypt of the Memorial Church of Saint Sava on Vračar. Following the procedure specified by the Rules of Procedure, the session begins with the adoption of the agenda, consisting of items submitted by the Holy Synod of Bishops, and continues with the consideration of reports on the archpastoral work of all Diocesan Bishops, central ecclesiastical bodies, organs, and institutions. At the end of the session, the Assembly will issue a communique regarding its work.

Source: spc.rs