Bishop Irinej of Backa said on Nov. 17 that around half a million people from Serbia, the region and the diaspora were expected to attend the funeral of Patriarch Pavle and that they would include numerous state officials and delegations from orthodox and non-orthodox churches.

"For now - and the final list of state and church delegations will be known on Nov. 18, at noon - we know that three heads will come: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Albanian Orthodox Church head Anastasios and the Czech and Slovak Metropolitan Christopher," Bishop Irinej told a news conference.

He added that Patriarch Pavle's great friend, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia would be unable to attend due to health reasons, but that a delegation spearheaded by a metropolitan would represent him.

Bishop Irinej voiced regret that all citizens and guests would not be able to attend the brief memorial service and funeral at Rakovica monastery and stressed that the Temple of St Sava would be the best place for those who wished to be in the thick of events.

The memorial service, scheduled to begin around 11 a.m., will be performed by "throne keeper" Bishop Amfilohije and the ecumenical patriarch, Bishop Irinej said.

According to him, now that the route has been set, people will be able to come out into the streets through which the procession passes and honor "the late, blessed patriarch, who loved Belgrade so much."

The bishop urged people to refrain from buying flowers and wreaths and to give contributions to the completion of the Temple of St Sava, where future patriarch will be buried unless they indicate otherwise.