Patriarch Irinej of Serbia arrived to Washington, the capital of the United States of America on March 2, 2020.
The Patriarch, whose delegation consists of Bishop Irinej of East America, Bishop Jovan of Sumadia and protodeacon Damjan Bozic, was welcomed by priest Vasilije Vranic and Mr. Milan Visnjic, president of the Church Committee in Washington.
The Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Luke is located at River Road, the main street in Potomac, Washington’s most elite neighbourhood. Renovation of the church, community hall and surrounding space was completed in the fall of 2014. As the only Serbian church in the capital, the church has a special significance.
Senator Samuel Brownback, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, with his associates, received Patriarch Irinej at the State Department on the following day, March 3, 2020. The meeting of the two delegations began at 3pm local time.
Since Mr. Brownback was received last year by the Primate of Serbia at the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade, the meeting began with the memory of the talks that took place at the time. The Patriarch outlined the views of the Serbian Orthodox Church on various topics related to the Serbian people and the Serbian Orthodox Church. He asked for a little more attention to be given to the Serbian matter. The interlocutors agreed that communication is the most important, but also that it depends on leaders from the top.
At 4 pm local time at the State Department in Washington, Patriarch Irinej had discussions with Mr. Philip Ricker, Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, as well as with his Deputy Matthew Palmer.
The meeting was held with the attendance and the participation of His Grace Bishop Jovan of Sumadia, member of the Holy Synod of Bishops, Bishop Irinej of East America, protonamesnik Vasilije Vranic,PhD, dean of the Cathedral Church of Saint Luke in Washington, as well as proto-deacon Damjan Bozic, PhD.
Serbian Patriarch Irinej stayed in Washington until yesterday, Tuesday, evening when he left for New York.