Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia and Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut signed an agreement on June 28, 2026, securing financial support for the completion of the final works on the Saint Sava Temple in Belgrade.
The agreement was signed on Vidovdan, the Feast of Saint Lazar and the Holy Serbian Martyrs, in the crypt of the Saint Sava Temple in the presence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
Addressing those gathered, President Vučić described Saint Sava as “the most beautiful Serbian child who followed Christ” and emphasized the significance of completing one of the most important spiritual projects in modern Serbian history.
He noted that the Serbian state has invested €88 million in the construction of the temple over the past twelve years and announced an additional €6.5 million through the newly signed agreement, bringing total state funding during that period to €94.5 million.
Vučić expressed gratitude to Patriarch Porfirije for his pastoral care of the Serbian people, particularly in Kosovo and Metohija and other areas facing challenges, stressing the importance of unity among the Serbian state, people, and Church.
In his remarks, Patriarch Porfirije said that Vidovdan and the Saint Sava Temple provide a fitting setting for the signing of the agreement, as Saint Sava and Saint Lazar represent two inseparable pillars of Serbian spiritual and historical identity.
The Patriarch emphasized that the completion of the temple is the result of the prayers, sacrifices, and dedication of generations of clergy, faithful, benefactors, and Church leaders who worked toward fulfilling the vision of building a sanctuary worthy of Saint Sava, the first Archbishop and Enlightener of Serbia.
Recalling that the cornerstone of the temple was consecrated in 1939, Patriarch Porfirije noted that despite decades of hardships and challenges, the determination to complete the project never faded.
He expressed gratitude to the Serbian government, President Vučić, and Prime Minister Macut for their continued support, stating that preserving the nation’s most important spiritual and cultural treasures transcends political differences and serves the common good.
“The Saint Sava Temple is not the property of any individual, institution, or generation,” the Patriarch said. “It is a sacred inheritance entrusted to us and to future generations.”
The Patriarch concluded by praying that God grant wisdom and strength to those entrusted with responsibility for the welfare of the Serbian people and state, and faith, unity, and love to all.
Source: Serbian Orthodox Church
