Queen Maria of Yugoslavia Remembered in Belgrade

Patriarch Irinej (Gavrilovich) of the Serbian Orthodox Church served a memorial earlier today for Queen Maria of Yugoslavia, who reposed 50 years ago on this date. The anniversary of Queen Maria's death coincides with the opening this year of an exhibition in her honor in the former royal palace in Belgrade. Crown Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic and other members of the Yugoslav royal family were in attendance at the memorial, which was served in the royal palace's Church of St. Andrew. More here.

Patriarch Irinej Protests NATO Conference

Patriarch Irinej (Gavrilovich) of the Serbian Orthodox Church has protested the holding of a NATO conference in Belgrade, saying that the wounds inflicted by NATO on Serbia have not yet healed. (As is evidenced by the damaged state of buildings in Belgrade bombed by NATO during Lent in 1999.) More here.

Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Commemorates Prince Mihailo Obrenovich

Patriarch Irinej (Gavrilovich) of Pech earlier today served a memorial for Prince Mihailo Obrenovich of Serbia at the latter's tomb in Belgrade's Cathedral of St. Michael. Prince Mihailo was the third ruler of newly independent Serbia. Today's memorial marked the 143rd anniversary of his death and was attended by state dignitaries and local faithful. More (in Serbian) here.

Serbian Minister for Diaspora Holds Reception for Serbian Orthodox Hierarchy

A reception has been held in Belgrade by Srdjan Sreckovic, Minister for Faith and the Diaspora of the Serbian government, for the members of the Serbian Orthodox hierarchy gathered in the city for the ongoing Holy Assembly of Bishops. At the reception Patriarch Irinej (Gavrilovich) of Pech said in part that, "To us, as the Church, it is highly important to help the mission of the state, as the state helps also the mission of the Church, because we are the two most important pillars in [the] life and history of the [Serb] nation." More here.

Belgrade Seminary Celebrates 175th Anniversary

St. Sava's Theological Seminary in Belgrade, Serbia, is celebrating its 175th anniversary. More here.