Serbian Patriarch honored with Jerusalem Patriarchate’s highest award

Jerusalem, April 4, 2025

Photo: spc.rs     

The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who has been on pilgrimage to the Holy Land since Patriarchs of Jerusalem and Serbia meet in the Holy LandHis Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia arrived in the Holy Land yesterday morning for a pilgrimage to the many holy sites there.

“>March 31, was awarded the Patriarchate of Jerusalem’s highest Church award on Wednesday.

His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem Jerusalem and Serbian Patriarchs concelebrate Presanctified Liturgy at Holy Sepulchre (+VIDEOS)The primates were joined by other hierarchs and clerics from both Churches. The service was celebrated at the chapel erected specifically on the site of Golgotha.

“>concelebrated the Presanctified Liturgy that morning with his guest, His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, at the Golgotha chapel in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

According to a report from the Serbian Church, Pat. Porfirije is the first Local Church primate in history other than the Patriarch of Jerusalem to celebrate the Liturgy at Golgotha.

Photo: spc.rs     

And after the concelebrated service, Pat. Theophilos decorated Pat. Porfirije with the highest decoration of the Jerusalem patriarchate—the Order of the Grand Cross—emphasizing that his visit has gladdened the Brotherhood of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the faithful who are being tested by war.

“Allow me to award Your Holiness with the Order of the Grand Cross with a prayerful wish that our God grant you and the pious Serbian people strength from on high to continue the sublime mission of serving the whole Church to the glory of the Triune God,” Pat. Theophilos said.

The Serbian primate expressed his gratitude, emphasizing the important role of Jerusalem:

The Church of Jerusalem is the center, source, and homeland of all Christians and all mankind throughout history, for it is the Mother of all Churches. Here, the Church, the Body of Christ, was established, which is not of this world, but is present and alive within us, through the divine Eucharist, by which we become united in the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and together in Christ as brethren.

“I will cherish [this award[ as a sign of love, blessing of the Jerusalem Church and support for my modest work as the leader of the Church of St. Sava,” Pat. Porfirije continued.

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