Irinej facts for kids
.jpg)
Irinej (born 28 August 1930, died 20 November 2020) was an important spiritual leader. He was the 45th Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. This means he was the main spiritual leader for many Serbs who follow the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith. He held this important role from 22 January 2010 until his death on 20 November 2020.
His full title was very long and showed his high position: His Holiness the Archbishop of Peć, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, and Serbian Patriarch Irinej. Before becoming Patriarch, he served as the Bishop of Niš from 1975 to 2010.
His Life and Role
Irinej was born in a village called Vidova, near Čačak, in what was then Yugoslavia. He studied at a seminary, which is a special school for people who want to become priests. Later, he continued his education at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Theology.
As Patriarch, Irinej was responsible for guiding the Serbian Orthodox Church. This included overseeing religious ceremonies, teaching about faith, and helping the community. He traveled to many places, meeting with other religious leaders and members of the church.
Becoming a Bishop
In 1975, Irinej became the Bishop of Niš. A bishop is a high-ranking priest who leads a specific area or diocese. He served in Niš for 35 years, working closely with the people and managing church affairs in that region.
Election as Patriarch
In 2010, the Serbian Orthodox Church elected Irinej as their new Patriarch. This is a very significant event, as the Patriarch is seen as the spiritual father of the church. He was chosen from a group of three candidates by a special council of bishops.
His Final Days
On 4 November 2020, Irinej tested positive for COVID-19. Sadly, he passed away a few weeks later, on 20 November, in Belgrade. He was 90 years old.
