Conversation between Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and Sir Stuart Peach

His Holliness Porfirije, the Serbian Patriarch, received Sir Stuart Peach, the British Prime Minister's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, in the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade, on 9 February 2022.  

In a cordial, friendly and open conversation, His Holiness Patriarch reminded that the all-round development of Serbian-British relations especially strengthens the cordial relationship that traditionally exists between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Anglican Church.

The Patriarch emphasized that the doors of the Patriarchal Palace are open to members of the Anglican community in Serbia who have been celebrating prayingfully the feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in the Patriarchal Chapel of St. Simeon the Myrrh-bearer for decades, since the time of Patriarch German of blessed repose.

During the talks, which took place in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, His Holiness Porfirije, the Serbian Patriarch, and Sir Stuart Peach analyzed the current situation in Serbia and the region and expressed mutual support for dialogue between Churches and religious communities and between all other political and social structures. - We experience dialogue as a gospel duty and mission, because as Christians we see every person as a brother, as a neighbor, and therefore we are always ready for dialogue, Patriarch Porfirije said.

The audience was attended by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Sian MacLeod; Political Counselor at the British Embassy in Belgrade, Mr. Srdjan Gligorijevic and the head of the Office  of the Serbian Patriarch, Bishop Sava of Marca.