Patriarch Porfirije discusses world situation with Putin

A meeting of Putin and Patriarch Porfirije in the Kremlin. Photo: the press service of the Moscow Patriarchate

The Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije, met in the Kremlin with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. The meeting was also attended by Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk and Metropolitan Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church. During the meeting, issues of bilateral church relations and support for Serbia in international matters were discussed, as reported by the Kremlin website.

Patriarch Porfirije congratulated the President of the Russian Federation on the Easter holiday, emphasizing that "the resurrection is our path and reality, a fact of our faith".

The Serbian Patriarch especially thanked Vladimir Putin for supporting Serbia on issues related to Kosovo, the Serbian Republic, and Montenegro.

"We are grateful for your support and position on Kosovo, the Republika Srpska and, of course, Montenegro: there are our people and our church there. You know very well that without your support and China’s support, well, I do not know what would have happened to Kosovo," said Patriarch Porfirije.

He emphasized that, in his opinion, "without Kosovo and, I can say it, without the Republika Srpska, the Serbian people have no future regardless of politics, regardless of people, regardless of the news".

The Patriarch also conveyed greetings from the President of Serbia, who, according to him, plans to visit Moscow on May 9 "regardless of the situation in Europe."

Patriarch Porfirije noted that the Serbian people view the Russian people "as one" and sometimes "Serbs put more hope in Russia and Russia’s policies than in Serbian policies".

The Patriarch mentioned that a "color revolution" is currently taking place in Serbia and expressed confidence that "we will overcome this trial". In his opinion, "centres of power from the West do not wish to nurture the identity of the Serbian people or their culture."

The President of the Russian Federation, in response, noted that issues of identity are addressed "the Church in general, and of the Russian Orthodox Church under the leadership of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. His Holiness the Patriarch devotes great effort to strengthening our traditional values and spiritual foundations".

Vladimir Putin also emphasized: "Whenever we meet, we recall and speak of our Orthodox brethren."

Metropolitan Irinej of Bačka recalled the thought of the late Patriarch of Serbia Irinej that "our small boat sailing rough seas must always be tied to the great Russian ship".

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarchs Porfirije and Kirill discussed the pan-Orthodox unity in Moscow.

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