Serbian hierarch to believers of UOC: If trials befall, then God is with us

Vicar of the Serbian Patriarch (center) at a briefing at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: screenshot of the UOC YouTube channel

Bishop Stefan of Remesiana congratulated the faithful of the UOC on the holiday in honor of Saint Prince Vladimir and conveyed greetings from Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia.

When trials fall to someone’s lot, it means that God is with us. The hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the vicar of the Patriarch of Serbia, Bishop Stefan (Saric) of Remesiana said this at a briefing at the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on July 28, 2021.

The representative of the official delegation of the Serbian Church, which had arrived in Kyiv on the eve of the festivities dedicated to the memory of Saint Prince Vladimir and the 1033th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to share this great holiday.

The hierarch appealed to the Ukrainian people, who, in his opinion, are similar to the Serbian people, and exhorted them to come to the church “to feel free, so that everything would be good and prosperous for you,” because “people who come to the temple, who are pious, know where the truth is."

“We are grateful that God made us worthy to be at this great holiday in honor of Saint Vladimir. We have a similar holiday – in honor of St. John. As long as such saints are with us, our path will be clear. We need to follow this road so that we get everything we want as Orthodox Christians – freedom (from sin – Ed.), eternal life, beauty of the Church. God is with us! He is and will be! First of all, when trials befall someone, it means that God is with us, God loves us,” said Bishop Stefan.

In conclusion, the representative of the Serbian Church conveyed greetings from Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, to all the bishops and flock of the UOC.

As the UOJ reported, on July 27, 2021, the Primate of the UOC met with delegations of Local Orthodox Churches, who had arrived to celebrate the 1033th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus. 

Read also