Irinej

The encroachment of religion into Serbia's officially secular state institutions has drawn criticism after the Serbian Army command celebrated St George as its patron saint for the first time on Sunday, in the presence of Defence Minister Aleksandar Vulin.

However, he said he would not move to Kosovo, i.e., to the town of Pec.

The media reported at the beginning of the week that the Serbian Orthodox Church is preparing major changes in May to the way its leader is elected, and to its internal organization and name.

Among those attending the unveiling on Thursday were Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

Vucic recalled that 70 artists from Russia and Serbia worked to create the decoration, made in Moscow - "weaving in millions of glittering pieces into one single message of brotherhood and solidarity."

He pointed out that Ivanovic, as somebody who knew exceptionally well the difficult situation in which the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija have been for a long time, persisted in his role of a national and social representative.

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) spoke during liturgy he served in Banja Luka on the occasion of Serb Republic (RS) Day - and days after one of his top bishops, Amfilohije, caused a storm by expressing his fear the president's policy would lead to "the betrayal of Serbia and Kosovo."

Serbian Patriarch Irinej has said that Serbia can never give away Kosovo and Metohija, and that it was not yet time for the visit of Pope Francis.

"Kosovo can be taken away, be occupied as it is today, but Serbia can never say 'we are giving that away', because what is given away is lost forever, while what is taken away by force, is taken back the same way," the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) told TV Hram, commenting on "the internal dialogue on KIM (Kosovo and Metohija)."

In this country, it is women - not religious dignitaries - who decide on whether to have children.

This is according to the chair of the Serbian National Assembly Committee on Human and Minority Rights, Meho Omerovic, who reacted on Wednesday.

Omerovic spoke after Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej stated that "Serb women are obligated to give birth."

BELGRADE - Serbia started celebrating Easter with midnight liturgies between Holy Saturday and Ressurection Sunday, and the Easter liturgy at the Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade, conducted by Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej, was attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic.
    

The victim needs to be remembered, but one should also be able to forgive, SPC Patriarch Irinej told Orthodox believers during a visit to Jasenovac and Pakrac.

This is according to a report in Croatian daily Jutarnji List, which continued: