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# Serbian Diocese Denies Bp. Irinej’s Involvement in Planned Award Ceremony
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/bp-irinej-will-not-participate-in-award-ceremony-serbian-diocese-says/
- Published: 2026-08-25T20:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:07:24.000Z
- Description: The Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church rejected social media claims that Bp. Irinej will participate in a Sept. 26 event, the same date Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to receive an award in New York.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Bishop Irinej (Dobrijevic), Bishop Irenej of the Serbian Orthodox Church, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine

**NEW YORK —** The Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church has [categorically denied claims](https://www.easterndiocese.org/news%5F260820%5F1?fbclid=IwdGRleAT0IplwZG9mBWZkaWQWUM2lzBcd6RK5FyW56rHJZsRRwpAZHmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5GP0PKlXbuJI5EvJ-YQ%5FPkxci3q2hYGJq8DCAoSTK-p7kvt-TdX7MxiH6yPw%5Faem%5FaDGIkcWHhLwZ-0g4ZRfyVw) circulating on social media that Bp. Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America will participate in the presentation of an award to a visiting foreign head of state on Sept. 26, 2026.

In an official communique issued Aug. 20, the Diocese stated that recent social media posts had falsely alleged Bp. Irinej’s involvement in the event. The statement did not identify the foreign head of state or provide further details about the planned award ceremony. However, Sept. 26, 2026, is the date that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to be hosted at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York for the reception of the "Beacon of Hope" award.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/07/bp-irinej-will-not-participate-in-award-ceremony-serbian-diocese-says-image-5bcc6ca61b78.jpg)On this topicSt. Nicholas National Shrine to Honor Zelenskyy at Beacon of Hope Dinner](https://uoj.news/news/st-nicholas-national-shrine-to-honor-zelenskyy-at-beacon-of-hope-dinner/)

The Diocese urged both the public and the media to rely exclusively on official communications from the Diocese and the Serbian Orthodox Church for accurate information concerning Bp. Irinej and his official engagements, cautioning against unverified claims circulating on social media.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/petition-urges-st-nicholas-shrine-to-rescind-zelensky-award/) a petition urged St. Nicholas Shrine to rescind the Zelensky award.