Archimandrite Tikhon Consecrated as Bishop of Moravica in Belgrade

On September 8, 2024, in Belgrade, the consecration of Archimandrite Tikhon took place, led by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije. Archimandrite Tikhon was ordained as Bishop of Moravica. The solemn service was held at the Church of Saint Sava and was attended by hierarchs of the Serbian Church from various dioceses, as well as government representatives and a large number of faithful.

Archimandrite Tikhon (born Aleksandar Rakićević in 1971 in Čačak, Yugoslavia) became actively involved in liturgies during his high school and university years, often attending services performed by the late Patriarch Pavle. He frequently visited Orthodox monasteries, with his spiritual mentor being Archimandrite Julian (Knežević), abbot of the renowned Studenica Monastery. After graduating from the Faculty of Applied Arts at the University of Belgrade in 1995, Aleksandar entered Studenica Monastery, becoming a novice in 1996 and being tonsured a monk in 1997. That same year, he was ordained a hierodeacon and in 1999, a hieromonk. In 2004, the brethren of Studenica elected him abbot, and he was elevated to the rank of archimandrite. In May 2024, the Serbian Church's Holy Assembly of Bishops elected Archimandrite Tikhon as Bishop of Moravica, an auxiliary bishop to the Serbian Patriarch.

Archimandrite Meletiy Elected as Bishop of Znepol in Bulgaria

Meanwhile, in Bulgaria on September 10, 2024, the Holy Synod elected Archimandrite Meletiy (Spasov) as Bishop of Znepol. His consecration is set to take place on September 15, 2024, in Sofia. Archimandrite Meletiy, who was recently appointed dean of the Sofia Theological Seminary, will continue serving in this capacity following his consecration.

Archimandrite Meletiy was born in 1985 in Sofia. He studied theology at the University of Saint Clement of Ohrid in Sofia, as well as at the University of Jena in Germany and the Saints Cyril and Methodius Theological Postgraduate Institute in Moscow. Since 2012, he has resided at Divotino Monastery, where he took his monastic vows. He also teaches philosophy at the University of Saint Clement of Ohrid and was appointed dean of the Sofia Theological Seminary in July 2024.