Diocese of Eastern America of the SOC

03/24/2026

With the blessings of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA, hosted the inaugural Pan-Orthodox Great Lenten Retreat, gathering more than sixty faithful from eight parishes. The retreat, centered on the theme “Awake, O My Soul: Great Lent in an Age of Distraction,” offered a day of prayer, reflection, learning, and fellowship during this sacred season.

The day began with registration and a Lenten breakfast, followed by an opening prayer. Following the opening prayer, a memorial service was held in prayerful remembrance of His Holiness Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia of Georgia, setting a solemn and spiritually attentive tone for the day.

Participants then engaged in a series of lectures given by invited speakers: Very Rev. Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Rodney Torbic, retired Director of Christian Education of the Eastern American Diocese; Rev. Presbyter Stefan Djoric, Parish Priest of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroeville, PA; and Most Ven. Mother Christophora, Abbess of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Monastery in Ellwood City, PA. Each speaker offered a unique and timely reflection on the spiritual life during Great Lent, addressing themes such as the care of the soul, the importance of prayer and inner stillness, and the struggle to guard the mind from distraction in the modern world.

Following each presentation, participants engaged in question-and-answer sessions, which allowed for a deeper exploration of the topics and fostered meaningful dialogue. These exchanges proved to be both edifying and practical, as the faithful reflected together on how to live the Lenten call to repentance and vigilance in their daily lives.

The retreat was not only a time of learning, but also of fellowship. The faithful of the host parish of the Holy Trinity Cathedral came together in a spirit of love and hospitality, preparing and serving delicious Lenten meals throughout the day. This shared table strengthened the bonds between participants and reflected the communal nature of the Church’s life.

https://easterndiocese.org/news/2911/inaugural-great-lenten-retreat-at-holy-trinity/

03/19/2026

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America offered his most sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy with hope in the Resurrection on behalf of himself and all clergy, monastics and faithful of the Eastern America Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, to His Grace Bishop Saba of the Georgian Apostolic Orthodox Church in North America, his clergy, monastics and faithful on the repose of His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia and Archbishop of Mtskheta and Tbilisi.

For decades, His Holiness bore the burden of Primatial ministry with faithfulness and discernment, leaving a profound imprint upon both the life of the Church and the soul of the Georgian nation. Worthily and justly acclaimed as a spiritual father and moral authority, he guided the Georgian Orthodox Church through seasons of grave trial and uncertainty with patience and wisdom, restoring her vitality and deepening her salvific witness within the life of society.

May his memory be eternal!

03/17/2026

Today, on the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross during Great Lent, as we bow before the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, we are reminded that our Lord Jesus Christ identified Himself with the Cross. Where the Cross is, there is also Christ, for the Cross is the sign of His love, His suffering, and His victory over death. Therefore, the path of the Cross is the path of salvation, because without the Cross there is no Resurrection.

Gathered today at the Divine Liturgy, in the presence of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, we clearly experienced that the Lord is with us. In the person of the Bishop, the fullness of the Church and the unity of the people of God are revealed. Together we venerated the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, giving thanks to the Lord who gathers us into one Body of Christ and strengthens us to carry our cross in the light of the Cross and in the hope of the Resurrection.

We offer our heartfelt gratitude to His Grace Bishop Irinej for the beautiful hierarchical Divine Liturgy, his inspiring sermon, and his archpastoral blessing.

We also thank the Episcopal Deputy, the Very Reverend Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Fr. Rade Merick, the Cleveland Dean, the Very Reverend Protopresbyter Fr. Milan Pajić, the Venerable Protosyngellos Fr. Nektarije Tešanović, and the Reverend Presbyter Fr. Sreten Stanojević. Also joining us was the Most Venerable Mother Paraskeva, Abbess of New Marcha Monastery.

Special thanks go to our wonderful choir, chanters, and readers, whose singing beautified the holy worship. We are also deeply grateful to our dedicated Circle of Serbian Sisters (KSS), who with maternal love prepared a meal of fellowship for everyone present.

We also thank our faithful people, who week after week fill our church and gather at the Divine Liturgy.

May the power of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross protect you all. May the Lord strengthen you in faith and grant you health, strength, and spiritual joy — for many and blessed years!

https://easterndiocese.org/news/2906/in-the-shadow-of-the-cross-lies-the-light-of-the/

03/04/2026

Today, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, we prayerfully and solemnly celebrated the triumph of Orthodoxy over iconoclasm, affirming the Church’s faith in the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. This holy day reminds us that the veneration of sacred icons is not merely a tradition, but a living witness to our faith and love for God and His saints.

Our joy was made even greater as we also celebrated the feast day of our choir, which honors its heavenly patron, Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Streaming. We thank the Lord for blessing our temple with a choir whose harmonious and angelic singing beautifies our services and fills the church with love and grace.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to this year’s godparents (kuma/kumovi) of the feast, Dragan and Tanja Knežević. May the Lord multiply every good gift to them and their family, granting them health, joy, and spiritual strength. We also warmly greet next year’s godparent, Stanka Nikolić and her family, praying that the Lord grant them peace, progress, and every blessing.

We are thankful to our honored guests — the Very Reverend Mother Abbess and Reader John Buffalini — for their prayerful presence and brotherly love.

Special thanks go to the leaders of our choir, Deacon Milan and Deaconess Mira Damljanović, as well as to all the choir members, who through their dedication and love bear witness to the beauty of Orthodox worship.

We also thank all our dear parishioners who were present today, as well as those who were absent for justified reasons but remain united with us in prayer.

May the Sunday of Orthodoxy strengthen us in faith, confirm us in unity, and inspire us to carry the icon of Christ within our hearts and lives.
Blessed and joyful Sunday of Orthodoxy and feast of our choir!

https://easterndiocese.org/news/2904/sunday-of-orthodoxy-and-the-feast-of-our-choir-s/

03/04/2026

This past Sunday, our parish family at Saint Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania was filled with light, reverence, and spiritual joy as we celebrated the great and radiant feast of the Sunday of Orthodoxy.

The Divine Liturgy was truly beautiful and uplifting. The Church was filled with prayer, thanksgiving, and the triumphant spirit of the Holy Fathers. Our faithful gathered holding holy icons, visibly proclaiming the truth of the Incarnation — that God truly became man and therefore can be depicted. Through the icon, we confess Christ who came in the flesh.

Our amazing parish choir, led by our dedicated conductor George Milosh, elevated the entire celebration. Their angelic singing added depth, beauty, and solemnity to the Divine Liturgy, touching hearts and lifting our minds to heaven. The harmonies resounded throughout the temple, making this feast even more glorious.

Following the Liturgy, we processed around the holy temple in a solemn and joyful procession, carrying icons and reading the Synodicon and the proclamation of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. We remembered the courage of the Holy Fathers who defended the veneration of icons and preserved the fullness of the Orthodox faith for us.

This sacred feast was formally established in 843 by the pious Empress Theodora, her son Emperor Michael III, and the holy Patriarch Methodius, who proclaimed the restoration of holy icons and the victory of truth over heresy. Their faithfulness ended persecution and confirmed the Orthodox faith for generations to come.

https://easterndiocese.org/news/2900/sunday-of-orthodoxy-at-saint-elijah-serbian/

03/04/2026

On Sunday, March 1, 2026, His Beatitude Archbishop Joani of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania presided over a pan-Orthodox Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church in Braintree, Massachusetts. The liturgy marked both the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy and the commencement of His Beatitude’s first visit to the U.S. since his election and enthronement as Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës, and All Albania in March 2025.

Concelebrating with His Beatitude Archbishop Joani were His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America (Ecumenical Patriarchate-EP); His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston (EP); His Eminence Metropolitan Neofitos of Eldoret and Northern Kenya (Patriarchate of Alexandria); His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America (Serbian Patriarchate); His Grace Bishop Saba of North America (Patriarchate of Georgia); His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini (EP); His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA-EP); His Grace Bishop Joachim of Amissos (EP); His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos (EP); His Grace Bishop Theophan of Philomelion (EP); His Grace Bishop Nikodhim of Boston and the Albanian Archdiocese (Orthodox Church in America-OCA); His Grace Bishop Benedict of Hartford and New England (OCA); His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia (EP); and His Grace Bishop Anthony of Synada (EP).

Priests and deacons included: Frs. Gregor (Orthodox Church of Albania), Seraphim Solof (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America), Ieronymos Katamadze (Georgian Orthodox Church), John Parker (OCA), Michael Lambakis (EP), Theodore Toppses (EP), and Demetrios Bathrellos (EP); Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris (EP); and Dns. Ieremias Mandoras, Spyridon Green, and Vassilios Panagopoulos (EP).

At the liturgy’s conclusion, Archbishop Joani marveled at the multitude of concelebrating clergy from many jurisdictions: “The world needs to see us together–we need a visible unity,” Archbishop Joani said. “In heart we are united with each other, but we should show the world this. We cannot invite other people for dialogue if we do not dialogue with one another.”

https://easterndiocese.org/news/2902/pan-orthodox-liturgy-commences-visit-of/

03/04/2026

On February 25, 2026, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations in New York hosted a reception marking the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia.

The event was attended by a large number of Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, representatives of Member States, military attachés, representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, headed by His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, as well as distinguished members of the Serbian diaspora. The strong turnout and significant presence of guests reaffirmed the interest and friendly ties that Serbia cultivates within the multilateral environment.

The ceremony opened with the National Anthem of the Republic of Serbia, performed by Mirijana Maksimović and Srđan Maksimović, PhD, Coordinator, Eastern American Diocesan Education Commission, both members of the Choir of the Cathedral Church of St. Sava in New York.

In the welcoming remarks, the importance of Statehood Day as a symbol of Serbia’s statehood, freedom and constitutional tradition was highlighted, along with our country’s firm commitment to multilateralism and cooperation within the United Nations. Guests were also presented with the upcoming International Specialized Exhibition EXPO 2027 Belgrade and invited to participate and visit Serbia.

The reception was held in a warm atmosphere, in the spirit of fellowship and strengthening friendly ties, accompanied by traditional Serbian cuisine and wines.

The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the United Nations remains committed to actively contributing to dialogue and the strengthening of partnerships within the international community.

https://easterndiocese.org/news/2901/reception-on-the-occasion-of-the-statehood-day-of/

03/02/2026

03/01/2026

MOSES THE BLACK SET FOR DIGITAL RELEASE IN U.S., INTERNATIONAL TERRITORIES ON MARCH 13

LOS ANGELES, CA— February 26, 2026 — Simeon Entertainment, in collaboration with Simeon Faith, the Nick Mirkopoulos Cinematic Fund, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, announced today it will release Moses the Black in the US and major international territories on digital platforms including Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and YouTube Movies on March 13th, 2026.Preorders on Apple TV/iTunes available now.

The film’s initial international digital launch will span more than 60 countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Scandinavia, Austria and the Benelux region, alongside key markets across Central and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean, with additional major markets including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Latin America to follow shortly thereafter.

Set in modern-day Chicago, Moses the Black follows a gang leader’s journey of reckoning as he confronts violence, justice, and the possibility of transformation — a contemporary story shaped by the enduring witness of Saint Moses the Black. Omar Epps (“Power Book III: Raising Kanan,” Juice, “House”) stars as Chicago gang leader Malik, with multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY® and Golden Globe nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa (Spinning Gold, Furious 7 soundtrack) as 2wo-3ree, the confident and volatile head of Malik’s young crew, locked in a power struggle for control against rival gang leader Straw, played by multi-platinum and GRAMMY®-nominated recording artist Quavo (“Atlanta,” “Black-ish”). The role of St. Moses the Black is portrayed by Chukwudi Iwuji (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, “Peacemaker”) with direction by Yelena Popovic (Man of God).

02/27/2026

The name of Lazar Paroški is permanently engraved on the wall of the prestigious Iona University in New York. Lazar from Srbobran is among the best students in the USA.

As one of the students of his generation, this young man from Srbobran last year, along with his college diploma, received an award that this university gives to only one student per year. In addition, Lazar is also a voice of Serbia in the United Nations, and his business idea was declared the best in the state of New York. Behind the impressive biography stands a young man who says that in all the opportunities that life has given him, he has tried to represent not only himself or the institution, but also Serbia, because he deeply believes that every success, we have abroad carries a broader responsibility.

With the support of his family, Lazar left Srbobran for distant America. First as a high school exchange student, then as a student at Iona University in New York. At present he is the director of the Organization of Serbian Students Abroad (OSSI) - American branch, and the president of the International Club at Iona University.

He graduated in May last year as one of the best students of his generation. He completed his undergraduate studies in biology with a focus on ecology and environmental protection, along with a degree in political science with a focus on international relations, and was also accepted into the honorary societies in biology and political science in recognition of his high level of academic achievements during his four-year studies.

He is currently a Master of Finance graduate student (MBA - Finance) at the University of Iona, while at the same time developing his own business in the field of sustainable technologies and urban ecology.

Thanks to the many opportunities that have been opened to him, he received the award for the best business idea at the university, and then the best business idea at the level of the state of New York, on whose development he is still actively working...

https://easterndiocese.org/news/2896/his-name-is-engraved-on-the-wall-of-a-prestigious/

02/27/2026

On the great feast of the Meeting of Our Lord, February 15, 2026, our Mission Parish prayerfully and joyfully celebrated its fourth parish slava, gathering clergy, parishioners, children, and many dear guests who spend the winter months in our blessed area.

The festal Divine Liturgy was presided over by our Father and Hierarch, His Grace Kyr Irinej, Bishop of Washington – New York and Eastern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Concelebrating with His Grace were Protopresbyter Aleksandar Lekić of Budva and the local parish priest, Presbyter-Economos Vladislav Golić. Our temporary home was filled with faithful parishioners, numerous children, and friends of the parish, bearing witness to the growing life and unity of our young community.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the slava gifts were blessed. This year’s kumovi were Ms. Danka Malivuk together with her family — son Igor, daughter-in-law Maria, and grandchildren Kristina and Kosta. According to our cherished custom, after the blessing and breaking of the slava bread, the kumovi for the coming year were announced and received a piece of the blessed bread: Bojan Čepić with his family.

A particularly moving moment took place at the end of the Liturgy when His Grace Bishop Irinej bestowed a distinguished hierarchical gramaton upon the former President of the Parish Trusteeship, Mr. William Slepcevich. Establishing a new parish is never an easy task; yet through strong faith, deep dedication, and perseverance, Mr. Bill has become one of the most important founding figures of our community. His name will remain woven into the living memory of our parish. We pray that the Lord grants him many years of good health and abundant blessings.

https://easterndiocese.org/news/2895/patronal-feast-of-the-meeting-of-our-lord-parish/