The Serbian Orthodox Church has called on the faithful to pray for the recovery of Metropolitan Irinej Bulović of Bačka, who is in critical condition following surgery.

According to Serbian Radio and Television (RTS), citing church sources, the hierarch is being treated at the Institute of Oncology of Vojvodina in Sremska Kamenica. He is reportedly in an induced coma and receiving mechanical ventilation following a surgical procedure.

"Children of Saint Sava, we urge you to offer fervent prayers to the Lord and the Mother of God for the healing of Metropolitan Irinej of Bačka," the Serbian Orthodox Church said in a statement published on its social media channels.

Special prayers for the metropolitan's recovery have also been offered in churches throughout the Diocese of Bačka.

Metropolitan Irinej, whose secular name is Mirko Bulović, was born in 1947 in the village of Stanišić, Serbia. He received his theological education in Belgrade and Athens, where he defended his doctoral dissertation in 1980.

He has headed the Diocese of Bačka since 1990. In 2024, he was granted the title of Archbishop of Novi Sad and Metropolitan of Bačka.

Metropolitan Irinej also serves as administrator of the Austrian Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church.