Patriarch Irinej Enthrones Serbian Bishop Mitrofan; Metropolitan Sotirios Participates

On Sunday, September 18, 2016, His Beatitude Patriarch Irinej of Serbia concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with many Brother Hierarchs at the All Serbian Saints Orthodox Church in Mississauga, Ontario, and led the Enthronement for the new Bishop of Canada His Grace Dr. Mitrofan.

Among the nine hierarchs participated His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios and His Grace Bishop Christoforos. His Eminence, who served as second in order of seniority, conveyed to Patriarch Irinej the brothering love and gratitude of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The two Patriarchs have an excellent working relationship as exemplified by the brotherly cooperation at June’s Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church. Patriarch Irinej in turn expressed his love and admiration for His All-Holiness and articulated his appreciation for the successful and historic Holy and Great Council. 

The Byzantine-style church was full to capacity with pious faithful. Bishop Mitrofan, who recently celebrated his 25th Anniversary as a hierarch, was enthroned as Bishop of Canada for the Serbian Orthodox Church after the Divine Liturgy. The formal Proclamation was read in the church, followed by homilies from Patriarch Irinej and Bishop Mitrofan.

Metropolitan Sotirios presented both Patriarch Irinej and Bishop Mitrofan, Engolpion and cross as gifts. More than 750 people participated at the banquet; at the request of Patriarch Irinej, Metropolitan Sotirios spoke there as President of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops (CCOB).

Finally, Metropolitan Sotirios, who was visited by Bishop Mitrofan before his enthronement, wished him very well in his new ecclesiastical role and to be a member of the CCOB.