On Friday, September 5, 2025, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, with the blessings of His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, celebrated his Names Day, on the feast of St Irenaeus of Lyon at the Holy Archangel Gabriel Monastery Church in Zemun Park, Serbia.

It was here that Bishop Irinej as Hieromonk, a Secretary and Consultant of the Holy Synod of Bishops on Inter-Church, Interfaith and International Affairs was assigned by His late Holiness Patriarch Pavle, during the tenure of the late Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Dr Radovan Bigović.

During the celebration of the Holy Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, His Grace ordained Deacon Vladan Makanjić to the Holy Priesthood for the Diocese of Eastern America. The Deacon’s meaningful acceptance homily can be found here.

At present, with the blessings of Bishop Irinej and His Eminence Metropolitan Justin of Žiča, Deacon Vladan has been serving in the Diocese of Žiča, where he, together with his wife, now Popadija Danijela, teach religious education to children with special needs, while offering them spiritual guidance.

May our Lord grant them many years in their new ministry.

Long may His Grace our Bishop Irinej serve on the throne of the Bishops of Eastern America. Εις πολλά έτη Δέσποτα!