The coffin with the body of the patriarch in the Temple, violation of all epidemiological measures (PHOTO, VIDEO) – Society

The coffin with the body of Patriarch Irinej was transferred to the Temple of Saint Sava, where he will be buried tomorrow. During the day, believers come to say goodbye to Irinej, kissing the coffin and the cross, most of them do not wear masks, which violates all epidemiological measures and recommendations.

The coffin is covered with a mandia, a small omophorion and a miter (no scepter).

Earlier, a holy liturgy was held in the Cathedral on the occasion of Arandjelovdan, celebrating the Belgrade Cathedral and commemorating the late patriarch.

Although the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church informed the public that during the farewell prayer of the late Patriarch Irinej, the Serbian Orthodox Church would strictly adhere to the epidemiological measures prescribed by the competent state authorities, there were many citizens in the cathedral, few wore masks, there was no distance and they loved the ark and the cross.

Over the body of the patriarch, while he was in the Cathedral, a transparent plate was placed, which the priests occasionally disinfected for the purpose of kissing the faithful, and only a part of those gathered in the Cathedral wore masks.

The memorial service was held in the Patriarchal Palace in front of the Cathedral. Metropolitan Chrysostom of Dabro-Bosnia served with the co-service of Bishop Jovan of Šumadija, David of Kruševac and Arsenij of Niš, in the presence of Bishop Stefan of Remezija, vicar of the patriarch.

The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) previously announced that during Patriarch Irinej’s farewell prayer, which will be held at the Cathedral of St. Archangel Michael and at the Memorial Church of St. Sava in Vracar, the SOC will strictly adhere to the measures. prescribed by the competent state authorities.

“For that reason, a live broadcast was provided on the first Serbian Radio and Television program, and the Holy Synod invites the clergy and our faithful to multiply their personal prayers for the peace of the soul of our dear Patriarch,” read in the statement.

Epidemiologist Predrag Kon warned last night that Patriarch Irinej’s farewell and burial were a great risk and that it was his duty to say so. “Such a gathering is not epidemiologically acceptable, but no one can forbid it,” Kon told RTS.

The Holy Liturgy will be served on Sunday November 22 at the Church of Saint Sava in Vracar, starting at 9 am.

The decision was made that the Holy Synod of Bishops will assume patriarchal duties in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and that the Holy Synod will be presided over by Metropolitan Chrysostom of Dabro-Bosnia until the election of a new Serbian Patriarch.

The Holy Synod of Bishops elected His Eminence Bishop Jovan of Šumadija as administrator of the vacant archbishopric of Belgrade and Karlovac in accordance with article 70 of the Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The Constitution of the Serbian Orthodox Church stipulates that a Serbian patriarch can be anyone who has been a “diocesan bishop for at least five years”, and the procedure requires that three candidates be chosen by secret ballot by Parliament, whose equal members are all metropolitans and bishops of Serbia and the world.

On the occasion of the death of Patriarch Irinej, statements of condolences arrive from officials and public figures of Serbia and the region.

Related texts: