On September 1, 2024, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia presided over the Divine Liturgy during which he performed the ordination of Archimandrite Nikon as Bishop of Jenopolska, Vicar of the Patriarch of Serbia, in the Church of St. Sava in Belgrade.
The service was concelebrated by: Irinej of Bačka, Dositej of Scandinavia, Pachomje of Vranje, Jovan of Šumadija, Ignatije of Braničevo, Atanasije of Milesev, Fotje of Zvornik-Tuzlan, Joanikije of Montenegro and the coast, Teodosije of Raška-Prizren, Arsenije of Niš, Nikodim of Dalmatia; as well as bishops: Gerasim from Upper Karlovac, Cherubim from Ošekopolska and Baranja, Hesihije from Valja, Jerotej from Šabaka, Justin from Paris and Western Europe, Metodije from Budimlja-Nikšić, Nektarije from Jegar and elected from London and Great Britain-Irish, Damaskin from Mohács, Sava from Marcha, Dositej from Liplja, Peter and retired Canadian Georgije. The service was also accompanied by clergymen of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
The ceremony of ordination was attended by the abbess of Hartina with the sisters from the Peć Patriarchate, as well as the nuns of the monasteries of Žiča, Jasenovac, the Presentation of the Virgin in Belgrade and the Resurrection of Christ in Kać, the director of the Directorate for Cooperation with Churches and Religious Communities Dr. Vladimir Roganović and representatives of cultural, political and public life of the capital.
On the occasion of the recent ordination, Patriarch Porfirije delivered a profound message emphasizing the significance of the Holy Liturgy. He highlighted that “everything that happens in the Church and that has to do with the essence of our life happens at the Holy Liturgy.”
The Patriarch explained that the Liturgy represents the “presence of the Kingdom of Heaven in history” and serves as a “foretaste” of divine participation. He reminded the newly ordained Bishop Nikon that the Liturgy is a sacred tradition handed down by Christ, with bishops being the successors of the apostles.
He urged Nikon to transmit this sacred knowledge faithfully, emphasizing that “only when we go through the catharsis of the grace of the Holy Spirit” can we discern good from evil and fulfill our ecclesiastical duties.
In his address, Bishop Nikon of Jenopolska expressed profound gratitude and humili-ty, reflecting on the “great prophet David” and “supreme apostle Peter” as examples of humility and repentance.
He stressed that the Church’s ultimate goal is the “eternal heavenly assembly,” gathering all of creation into one Body of Christ.
Bishop Nikon honored his mentors and supporters, including Patriarch Porfirije, and affirmed his commitment to serve with the dedication of a shepherd, mirroring Christ’s self-sacrificial love.
Source: spc.sr
