Source: Sedmitza.ru
Nicosia, November 11, 2016
Photo: http://www.topvesti.info/
His Holiness Patriarch Irinej of Serbia is paying an official visit to the Orthodox Church of Cyprus. The Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church will stay in Cyprus from November 9 to 16, 2016, reports the Serbian Patriarchate’s official website.
Patriarch Irinej arrived to Cyprus at the invitation of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus.
Patriarch Irinej of Serbia arrived at Larnaca International Airport in the evening of November 9, 2016. His Holiness, with the delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church, was met at the airport by the Archbishop of Cyprus and members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus.
The delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church accompanying Patriarch Irinej consists of Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb and Ljubljana, Bishop Irinej of Backa, and Bishop Justin of Zica. The patriarch is also being accompanied by Archpriest Dejan Jovanovic, Archdeacon Ermolaj and Protodeacon Igor Davidovic.
According to the Romfea Greek news agency, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, members of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, priests, students and numerous believers warmly and cordially welcomed Patriarch Irinej of Serbia at the entrance to the Archbishop’s Palace in Nicosia on the morning of Thursday, November 10, 2016.
A thanksgiving service was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine after which the Archbishop of Cyprus addressed the Patriarch of Serbia with a welcoming speech.
Then a state reception was held at the Archbishop’s palace during which Patriarch Irinej was greeted by representatives of the Cypriot clergy and faithful.
Next a solemn meeting of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus was held in the presence of the Patriarch of Serbia and the delegation members.
Following a conversation between Patriarch Irinej and Archbishop Chrysostom a gala dinner was held at the Archbishop’s palace in honor of the Patriarch of Serbia and the delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus were also present at the dinner.