“How can I live without my Mira!”: Sister of the late Irinej, crushed by grief

Patriarch Irinej, Photo: Tanjug

When the “Hello” team was at Vidova twelve days ago, the hometown of Patriarch Irinej, the sun warmed the houses on the slopes of Kablar, as if he knew that his Peace was good, the patriarch’s secular name is Miroslav Gavrilović. Now the sky is gloomy and sad news has been received.

The people of Vidov are at home.

They hear the news of the death of a man, to whom, as they say, they owe immensely. This is also the case in the home of the patriarch’s sister, Milijanka Kovačević (86). She has difficulties moving, so her son Slobodan (65) was waiting for us, and there are also daughter-in-law Gordan, daughter Milijanka and granddaughter Andrijana, who live in Trnava near Čačak.

Milijanka Kovačević, sister of the Patriarch, Vidova, birthplace of Patriarch Irinej, Photo: Aleksandar Đorđević

– We have been in contact all these days. We hear each other twice a day. Morning and afternoon. We talked for a long time. His condition changed from hour to hour, good hour, bad hour. I asked him if he could go and he said he could, but they recommended that he still rest. Slobodan begins the story.

He says that a man should know that these are serious years, but it is normal that it is the most difficult for those closest to him:

– If possible, I would give my year of life just to wait for the construction and consecration of our church to be completed. Just by looking at her, I know how much that would mean to him. I am proud to have had such an uncle. Irinej’s sister, Milijanka, is crying:

– I’m proud. My brother was a great man. But now I have lost everything. He was kind to us, he took care of everything. We lost our father early. They expelled me from school, although I was an excellent student, so that he could go to school, but he justified everything. He was unloading coal so he could study.

Dragan Gavrilović donated land for the construction of a church in Vidovo and the Patriarch visited the construction site and was satisfied by that:

– We had a hard time receiving this news. It is ours. He did everything for us. The greatest regret is that he did not wait until August 28, Our Lady, when it is her birthday, to celebrate the consecration of the church together.

Slobodan Kovacevic, nephew of the patriarch, Vidova, birthplace of the patriarch Irinej, Photo: Aleksandar Djordjevic

And his son Milan Ilić, of Trbušan, highlights the bridge, roads, three phase electricity and street lighting are the merit of the patriarch. He didn’t build it, but his contribution, he says, was crucial. Dragan also has Srecko Gavrilovic, Irinej’s nephew:

– We are all mourning the death of our great man. Our uncle died. Everyone in Vidovo called him Čiko, except of course those with whom he is related, so he is his uncle or brother.

Patriarch Irinej, Photo: EPA

There is also sadness in the house of Desanka Gavrilović, Irinej’s daughter-in-law, the wife of his own brother, the late Vukoman:

– These are the worst and the saddest days for me. I lost everything, my husband, my son Zoran, now Bata, my son Predrag works in Russia. It is very difficult. I was left alone. Grandson Stefan traveled to Germany, where he works, but I hope he comes today.

The sadness is too great, but life has to flow and it is much easier when you have someone at the gas station proud and who stays with you forever.