Serbian Patriarch Porfirije in Kladovo

On August 8, 2021, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch, arrived in Kladovo thus beginning his first official visit to the Diocese of Timok.

His Holiness was welcomed at the courtyard of the church of the Holy Great Martyr George in Kladovo by His Grace Bishop Ilarion of Timok along with Their Graces Bishops Arsenije of Nis, Nikodim of Dalmatia and Kiril of Buenos Aires and South-Central America, the clergy, the monastics and the faithful people of the Diocese of Timok.

After the welcome of the Patriarch, a solemn act of doxology was served in the church, officiated by the abbot of the Bukovo monastery, Archimandrite Kozma, with the concelebration of archdeacon Ilija and deacon Uros Pamucar, while the beauty of the prayerful act was contributed by the chanting of Timok priests - protonamesnik Marko Pajcin, presbyter Novak Bojanic and deacon Vuk Jovanovic.

His Grace Bishop Ilarion of Timok addressed words of gratitude and welcome to the Patriarch, especially emphasizing the joy that His Holiness found time and love in the first year of his patriarchal ministry to bring his blessings to the Diocese of Timok and the town of Kladovo, which since 1966 and the visit of then Patriarch German had not had such a gracious and high visit by the primate of the Serbian Church.

- His Holiness the Patriarch testifies to us that it is possible to live the Gospel in the 21st century, as the people expect from church leaders, Bishop Ilarion said, wishing His Holiness to lead the Serbian Orthodox Church long and piously.

Then, by thanking for the words of welcome and love, His Holiness Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch who taught the faithful that the interests of love, community and unity are imperative for all Orthodox people, regardless of which nation they belong to. As the greatest temptation for Orthodox Christians, the Patriarch mentioned egoism and self-love, which, as he said, can be overcome only with the Holy Liturgy by the grace of God: -We are called to be perfect as our heavenly Father and to live so that the word of God is authoritative for us.

Finally, His Holiness addressed a request and advice to parents to bring their children to churches, to let them behave freely in the church so as to feel that their home is there, to give them pure faith and the Word of Christ, to pray for them and to speak well of them in order to grow into strong, stable and healthy people.

After the solemn service, His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije presented the Order of the Holy King Milutin to Mr. Zivojin Bolbotinovic from Tekija. Diocesan letters of gratitude from Bishop Ilarion of Timok were given to Mr. Sasa Nikolic, President of the Municipality of Kladovo; Mr. Dragan Maksimovic, President of the Municipal Assembly of Kladovo; Mг. Branko Srbulovic, President of the Church Board of Kladovo; Church Board Kladovo; Djerdap usluge A.D. and Mrs. Karmenka Babic; "Sisters of Myrrh" Association at the church of St. George; Mr. Milenko Lepovic; Mr. Dragan Vulic; Mr. Goran Krzalijevic; Mr. Radisav Cuculanovic; Mr. Sinisa Belic; Mr. Branislav Shevchenko; Mrs. Tina Savic Tomic; Mr. Aleksandar Majkanovic; Mr. Dejan Josić; Television Kladovo; Mr. Zivko Popovic (posthumously).

Then, His Holiness Patriarch consecrated the parish house.

Source: Diocese of Timok