Serbian Patriarch Porfirije was present at the official inauguration ceremony of the Honorary Consulate of Russia in Novi Sad on April 23, 2026. The event brought together representatives from Serbia and Russia, as well as numerous dignitaries.
During his speech, the Patriarch spoke about the spiritual unity of Orthodox peoples, emphasizing that the Orthodox Church is “one and indivisible,” uniting different nations through their shared faith and communion with God.
Patriarch Porfirije did not spare words of praise for Russia and the Russian Church, stressing that “cooperation between Orthodox peoples, such as the Serbian and Russian peoples, is not limited to political or cultural levels, but expresses a deeper unity that stems from shared faith and ecclesiastical life.”
He also noted that the two peoples can be seen as members of “one unified spiritual body, the Body of Christ,” pointing out that “their common historical course confirms this deep connection.” The shared faith, as he stated, has shaped their identity and past, while continuing to define their future.
Patriarch Porfirije also emphasized that the cooperation of the two peoples is expressed through a common mission: bearing witness to love for God and for one’s fellow human being. This dual dimension, as he noted, constitutes the foundation of their historical path and a guide for the future.
Concluding his remarks, the Patriarch extended congratulations to Dušan Bajatović on his appointment as Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Novi Sad.
