On the second day of his visit to the Eparchy of Osečopolska and Baranja, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije presided over the Divine Liturgy and consecrated the restored Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius in Dalje.
“The importance and meaning of the church, both for the individual and the community, have been deeply understood by our people throughout the centuries. Wherever they went, wherever they settled, their first task was to build temples to the glory of God. Even when they struggled to earn their daily bread, even when they lacked shelter, they built a church. It was so in the past, and it remains so today. They built temples because they knew that without the church, life itself had no true meaning. Without God’s grace, without communion with God, no matter how famous, wealthy, or powerful one may be, without that connection with God, everything eventually turns to dust and ashes. For we are created in the image and likeness of God, and we are made for eternity,” emphasized the Patriarch.
“The strength of the Church of Christ lies precisely in its endurance through suffering, for suffering is the path to resurrection and the affirmation of the true way to salvation. The entire history of the Church proves this: often, the Church found itself in difficult circumstances, facing persecution or restrictions, yet it never yielded. On the contrary, it grew stronger. Its strength is found in faith in Christ, in the steadfast belief that guides the Church towards the Kingdom of God,” he added.
Source: Patriarchate of Serbia
