Serbian Patriarch calls for interfaith dialogue
Patriarch Porfirije. Photo: romfea.gr
On 12 November 2024, the "Dialogue for Peace: Tolerance and Civilization" event took place in the Ceremonial Hall of the Serbia Palace in Belgrade. This event, held for the fifth time, was attended by delegates from Serbia and Indonesia. The session was led by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, reports orthodoxianewsagency.
The participants noted the ongoing nature of interfaith meetings that Indonesia has been conducting with many countries around the world. Bilateral interfaith meetings between Serbia and Indonesia began in 2011, and in 2015, Indonesia supported Serbia in Paris by voting against Kosovo's admission to UNESCO.
Patriarch Porfirije emphasized the significance of these meetings: "Interreligious dialogue is often misunderstood, and that is why it is extremely important to forge a path where we meet people who profess faith in God in a different way, with people who enrich our knowledge of the world we share with them. This path – or rather the crossing of paths – is the basic condition of every conversation, and much more of interreligious dialogue, which results in understanding and acceptance of the other."
Additionally, Patriarch Porfirije stated that interfaith dialogue is often undervalued in secular society.
"The aim of interreligious dialogue is to learn something new, to overcome doubts and misunderstandings and to exist in understanding. Through the dialogue, we observe the differences but also the similarities of the believers. Through dialogue we understand our differences and rejoice in our similarities," said the Serbian Patriarch.
The participants highlighted the importance of goodwill and cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education and culture.
In conclusion, Patriarch Porfirije noted that interfaith dialogue is a place of reciprocity, appreciation, respect for others, and a place where others show appreciation and respect for us.
As earlier reported by the UOJ, Patriarch Porfirije discussed with the Ukrainian ambassador the mistakes made by the government regarding the UOC.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".