The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Patriarch Irinej tested positive for the coronavirus and has been admitted to hospital in Belgrade, the SPC said on Wednesday.

A press release said that the Patriarch was tested as part of a regular procedure following an epidemiological assessment but that he showed no symptoms. “A PCR test was done for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus which confirmed that His Holliness Patriach Irinej is positive with no symptoms. His holliness was hospitalized in a COVID hospital in Belgrade,” it said.  

Patriarch Irinej headed a funeral service for the late Montenegro-Littoral Bishop Amfilohije in Podgorica on Sunday. The Bishop died of coronavirus-related ailments and his body was in an open casket during the service before being interred in the crypt of the church. A large crowd gathered in front of the crowded church. Few of the people in the church and none of the priests wore masks.