On December 11, 2024, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia sent a letter of support to Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East, expressing deep concern and prayers for the current tragic events unfolding in Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon.
“With great sorrow and concern, we follow the latest tragic developments in Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon,” Patriarch Porfirije wrote, “while fervently praying for the Lord to calm the troubled world of the Middle East during these days of preparation for the salvific arrival of the Prince of Peace—our Lord Jesus Christ.”
He continued by sharing his solidarity: “We cry out together with you, your clergy, the faithful of your local Church, and all those in your region who are grieved and afflicted, calling for God’s mercy and help. Let the angelic hymn that welcomed the Son of God and Savior of the world on earth become the unified prayer of everyone caught in the vortex of war: *‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’ (Luke 2:14).”
Patriarch Porfirije prayed for Emmanuel, whose birth is awaited with joy, to establish peace within and among people, eliminate division and hatred, and put an end to bloodshed. He emphasized the need for reconciliation, saying, “The death of my brother can never be my life or my gain. All sacred history attests to the truth that Cain, through Abel’s death, gained nothing but bitterness, inner suffering, and a curse. Meanwhile, Abel, for his innocent sacrifice, has always and forever inspired profound respect among all the innocently suffering throughout human history and stands as a precursor to the immortal Kingdom of God’s love.”
Remaining steadfast in the love of Christ, Patriarch Porfirije assured his prayers alongside the fullness of the Serbian Orthodox Church, asking the Prince of Peace for the complete cessation of all forms of violence and the horrors of war. He prayed for peace not only for their beloved, long-suffering Christian brothers and sisters but also for all people and nations in the Middle East.
“May peace reign and bring solace to all,” the Patriarch concluded in his heartfelt letter to Patriarch John X.
Source: Patriarchate of Serbia
