On Saint Vitus Day, June 28, 2021, when the 650th anniversary of the foundation of the city of Krusevac is marked as well, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia visited the Diocese of Krusevac and the city of Krusevac on his return from Kosovo and Metohija.
He was accompanied by Bishops Stefan of Remesiana and elected Sava of Marca and deacon Radomir Vrucinic. In front of the Lazarica church, the Patriarch and the guests were welcomed by Bishops David of Krusevac, Pahomije of Vranje, Fotije of Zvornik-Tuzla, Dositej of Britain-Scandinavia, Ilarion of Timok, Arsenije of Nis, Jovan of Sumadija, and elected Damaskin of Mohacs.
The Director of the Security Information Agency Bratislav Gasic, Mayor of Krusevac Jasmina Palurovic, representatives of the city administrations and cultural institutions, representatives of the Army, clergy, monastics, and the faithful people of the Diocese of Krusevac were also present.
A solemn act of doxology was served in Lazarica in honor of Patriarch Porfirije. The choir of the church of Lazarica with numerous priests of the Diocese of Krusevac contributed to the prayer celebration.
The Patriarch of Serbia was greeted with an inspired letter by Bishop David of Krusevac, who thanked the Patriarch for the canonical visit in his own name and in the name of the clergy and the people of the Diocese of Krusevac, wishing him a welcome to the royal city of Krusevac.
Patriarch Porfirije then addressed the Bishop David of Krusevac with great joy, the present priests and the people, expressing his gratitude for the invitation.
“On this day, we must all learn the lesson of Prince Lazar, who decided on faith and not on dinner. I would like to express my great gratitude to the city of Krusevac and to all who live in it in the love of Christ and to all those who, whether they know it or not, are the spiritual descendants of Prince Lazar. I made my first beginnings of articulating the steps of faith in Krusevac, I read the word of God for the first time, the New Testament, the first steps of faith, the first questions that have no answers in what he passed here in the city of Krusevac while serving in the army”, Patriarch Porfirije said.
On the same day, Patriarch Porfirije visited the Correctional Institution in Krusevac.
Source: Serbian Orthodox Church