On Sunday, August 17, 2025, the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, His Grace Bishop Irinej celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Concelebrating with him was Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Zoran Radovic. Assisting at the altar and cantor stand were post-graduate students at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Mihailo Vlajkovic and Mihail Golic.

During his homily, the Bishop elaborated on how this Sunday’s Gospel lection (Matt. 17:14-23) is one which is meant for God-Seekers - Боготражитељи - those who seek to follow the Lord. St. Paul admonishes us, as the Christian’s of the time, that we are to “follow him as he follows Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). In order to be followers of Christ, we are in need of having faith as much as a mustard seed. One of the smallest of all seeds, which produces a bush that can even provide shelter for the birds.

To acquire such faith, continued His Grace, we are in need of trust, which will lead us to faith. In turn our faith will lead us to knowledge, the knowledge of God. An encounter, then, with God is an encounter with love, “For God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8). which is not just one of God's attributes, for He is the ultimate source of love, and true love originates from Him. As such, to accomplish anything, it must be done in His Name alone.