The Serbian Orthodox Church decides: New patriarch will be elected in the Temple of Saint Sava

Photo: ATA Images

The Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) decided today that the Assembly during which the new patriarch will be elected on February 18 will be held in the crypt of the Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade.

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Patriarch Irinej passed away in November of last year.

During a meeting scheduled for February 10, the Holy Synod will make another decision that is important for the election of the 46th head of the Serbian Orthodox Church: it will appoint a monk who will be authorized to draw one of the three envelopes containing the names of three candidates, in this way revealing who the new patriarch is.

This role is usually given to one of the abbots or most respected monks from Serbian monasteries, and it is of great importance, because it is believed that the Holy Spirit - God's will - is expressed through the hand of the selected monk.

According to the records of the head of the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, 39 bishops will have the right to vote during the Assembly, while 30 bishops will be eligible to be elected as the new patriarch.

(Telegraf.rs)