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
German McDonald's removes food from adverts until sunset over Ramadan
In Germany, during the Muslim fast, a fast-food chain hides food images in advertising during the day and shows them only in the evening.
Metropolitan Longin after hearings: Sessions conducted under the rule of law
After the Hertsa Сourt session, the bishop thanked the faithful for their support and called for forgiveness, prayer, and faithfulness to Christ.
Christian series "The Chosen" sets world record for being most widely-translated
The streaming series The Chosen , which explores the life of Jesus and his disciples, has broken its own Guinness World Record for being the most widely-translated series of all time.
US Secretary of Defense to the Army: God extends His arms over you
Pete Hegseth stated that American military personnel are "no longer defenders" but warriors "trained to destroy the enemy."
MP demands answers from Rivne authorities over UOC charity event
Bobrovska expressed outrage that city officials allowed the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC to hold a charity festival that raised money for children with cancer.
In U.S., Archbishop of Albania leads Divine Liturgy on Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Primate of the Albanian Church served in Massachusetts and called for visible unity among Orthodox jurisdictions.