Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia performed a Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Stefan of Ohrid on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the Duni Monastery in the Niš province.
The Divine Liturgy was also attended by Metropolitan Petar of Prespa and Pelagonia, Metropolitan Timotej of Debar-Kičevo, Metropolitan Irinej of Bačka, Metropolitan Arsenije of Niš, Bishop Kliment of Heraclea, and Bishop Nikon.
“Wherever the power and love of God are revealed, we have the miracle, the miracle of God. Therefore, since all creation is a confirmation, indication, and expression of the power and love of God, all creation is a kind of inexplicable miracle for the human mind.
However, the miracle above all miracles is humanity itself, for it is primarily the greatest expression of God’s love and power, created in the image and likeness of God. The inner world of man is also a miracle.
For this reason, everything we see, as well as what we do not see, leads us to God, for it is the opportunity and possibility to know God, to recognize His power, His love, and His greatness,” emphasized Patriarch Porfirije after the reading of the Gospel passage.
Following this, Archbishop Stefan of Ohrid expressed his gratitude for the invitation to participate in the great celebration of the Monastery, presenting the local Metropolitan Arsenije with an icon of the Virgin Mary.
In commemoration of the historic visit to the Monastery of the Virgin Mary in Duni, Metropolitan Arsenije gifted Patriarch Porfirije and Archbishop Stefan with icons of the Most Holy Theotokos, specially painted for this occasion.
Metropolitan Arsenije, addressing the Patriarch of Serbia and the Archbishop of Ohrid, noted that “two and a half years ago, right here, brotherly discussions took place regarding the establishment of canonical and liturgical unity between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Ohrid Archbishopric.
And right here, with love, brotherly understanding, respect, and appreciation, that long-awaited agreement was achieved, bringing joy both to the Serbian people and to our brother “Macedonian” people.
At that time, it was said that we should hold a joint Divine Liturgy with brotherly love and unity here, at the monastery, to thank God and the Virgin Mary for bringing the long-anticipated unity.”
On his part, Patriarch Porfirije, after thanking Bishop Arsenije, emphasized that “the blessing we had two and a half years ago to gather here and complete the discussions and be all eyewitnesses and participants in a great miracle—the establishment of unity among us.
As Patriarch Porfirije stated, “This is yet another miracle of the Most Holy Theotokos in this family. We and our brothers know better than anyone that it is a miracle because before we started the discussions, it was already clear that there was no reason not to establish unity among us.”
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
