News

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije congratulated Novak Djokovic on his victory at the Australian Open

On the occasion of another great success of tennis player Novak Djokovic, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch sent a greeting card with the following content:

I congratulate our Novak Djokovic on his great victory at the Australian tournament, but also, even more, on his new feat. What he does is a top sport, but also something much more than that. Something that raises morale and fills the hearts with pride of all of us who participate with him in joint struggles with discouragement, learning to endure pain and overcome all physical limitations, just like him. That is the very purpose of what we have been getting from the unbreakable, rock-solid Novak for years.

And it was shown again in the far south of the planet, in Melbourne, for the ninth time. There, far from us - physically, but also in front of us, as another scene where the Serbian character is shown in the best light. Thank you, Novak, for that and for everything else he will show and bring to us. Congratulations from the bottom of my heart, with our prayers for Novak and his entire family!

Statement of condolences from Serbian Patriarch Porfirije to the Balasevic family

On the occasion of the repose of the prominent artist Djordje Balasevic, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch sent a statement of condolence to the Balasevic family with the following content:

I pray for the salvation of the soul of that Djordje who, in difficult years, brought meaning and serenity to the everyday life of many generations. The love he sang about tirelessly was the very content of his life, dedicated to his wife Olivera and their children. And because of that love, and because of this cheerfulness and meaning that was gently hidden everywhere in his verses, but also because of personal meetings in which I met the invisible dimensions of his personality, I extend my sincere condolences to the family of Djordje Balasevic.

Whoever is without sin, let him throw a stone at those whom he thinks are sinners, and I will return that unlimited amount of love for everything beautiful, gentle and tame, like the Backa plain of our Djole.

The Orthodox and the entire Christian world and people of good will congratulated Patriarch Porfirije on his election

In the past few days, hundreds and hundreds of letters of congratulations have arrived at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade addressed to the Serbian Patriarchate, the Holy Assembly and the Synod, all Serbian Orthodox race, and of course the newly elected first hierarch of the holiest Serbian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, and Serbian Patriarch Porfirije.

Leaders and dignitaries of the Orthodox Churches, the highest representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Islamic Religious Community and the Jewish Religious Community, some Protestant Churches and denominations, the highest representatives of the authorities of the Republic of Serbia, statesmen and important political figures wished the head of the Serbian Patriarchate good luck on the throne of Saint Sava. His Holiness Porfirije read the congratulations of our Orthodox people from Serbia, Republika Srpska, Montenegro, Croatia, Northern Macedonia, but also from Europe, North and South America and Australia with the greatest love and attention.

The highest dinstinction of Republic of Serbia to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia

On the occasion of the Statehood Day, President of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Aleksandar Vucic awarded His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia with the order of the Republic of Serbia on a large necklace.

Vatican Radio turns 90: Carrying the Pope’s voice to the whole world

The Holy See’s radio station, commissioned by Pope Pius XI and designed and built by Guglielmo Marconi, turns 90 years old, and now speaks in 41 languages. The Managing Editor of Vatican Radio says this anniversary is being celebrated by inaugurating a new internet page and adding a web radio station.

Christians invited to join virtually in prayer for 54th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated from 18 to 25 January. During this period, Christians are invited to pray for reconciliation and unity within the Church.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed annually from 18 – 25 January. However, in the southern hemisphere, where January is a vacation time, churches find another time during the year to celebrate it, for example around Pentecost which is also a symbolic time for the unity of the Church.