The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC), Patriarch Porfirije, stated that the current situation in Serbia is “to say the least, very difficult,” emphasizing that a “deep division that manifests at all levels, based on exclusivity that even extends to hatred, prevails in many spheres of social life” and appealed for dialogue.
“All of this is starting to remind us of the darkest periods in our national history, tragically marked by numerous internal divisions and conflicts. At the same time, every crisis, by definition, represents an opportunity, a true chance to change things for the better. However, for that to be possible, dialogue and mutual respect are necessary,” said Patriarch Porfirije in an interview with the weekly NIN.
“That is why, together with the synodal fathers, I issued a call for dialogue in the middle of last month, even offering the Church’s shelter as a possible meeting space,” said Patriarch Porfirije.
“At that time, we clearly conveyed to everyone: ‘The Church carries spiritually proven truth and historical awareness that no one’s particular interest is more important than the common good of the people and the state and opens its doors wide, inviting all responsible social actors to brotherly dialogue.’ These words reached everyone, but unfortunately, the dialogue has not begun. That is why, in these great and holy days, I repeat that appeal—For the sake of the Philanthropy of the Risen Christ and our love for Him, let us awaken, rise from the graves of egoism, talk to one another, extend our hands to one another. We need each other. There is no other way,” Patriarch Porfirije emphasized.
When asked about the student protests, he said that he is “certain that over the past months, there haven’t been many who personally spoke with hundreds of students as he did, in order to truly understand how things stand,” and concluded that among them there is no unified or common stance on many of the key societal issues.
He emphasized that it was clear to him that he is not “the one who should or may choose one side or the other, to take sides, to additionally divide those already divided within themselves and among themselves, and whom many others are dividing.”
“All the while I have had, and still have in my mind and heart, that the role of a shepherd, a priest—especially a bishop and patriarch—is always and above all to be with everyone, to reject no one. As the prophet Ezekiel said long ago: ‘strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the injured, bring back the strayed, and seek the lost’ (Ezek. 34:4). I strive and make efforts to do that, being present with all students with my whole being, excluding no one, trying to understand everyone, becoming all things to all people, that by all means I might save some (1 Cor. 9:22), as the Holy Apostle Paul said,” stated Patriarch Porfirije.
“It is true that I support all students, I am accessible to all and always ready to participate in anything that serves the good of all and is blessed by God. At the same time, I am fully aware that because of such a stance, I will be, and already am, judged from various sides. But that is actually the yoke of Christ, which every priest faithful to the Gospel, every bishop who cares for the salvation of the faithful, must carry—and the price that must be paid,” added Patriarch Porfirije.
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When asked about the protests following the local elections in Serbia at the end of 1996, which lasted several months, he said that “it is not true that Patriarch Pavle ‘led the students’.”
“In 1997, on the feast of Saint Sava, the SOC, led by the patriarch, organized a prayer walk for peace—the Saint Sava procession—which the students joined. Patriarch Pavle, as is well known, never participated in political activities, let alone protests. At that time, he led a prayerful, ecclesiastical procession not to support the demonstrations, but to prevent bloodshed, the danger of fratricidal conflict between demonstrators and the police,” said Patriarch Porfirije.
“That act,” he emphasized, “was not a political gesture, but a Gospel mediation—a prayerful response to potential violence, which cut through a social Gordian knot.” He added that “in such circumstances, he would act exactly the same as Patriarch Pavle.”
“Therefore, Patriarch Pavle did not ‘lead the demonstrators’, but as the head of the Church, led a prayer walk, led prayer, taking upon himself the responsibility to contribute to peace with his presence—not to take sides in any political dispute. It is important to point out that he continually called for peace, dialogue, and above all unity—for which he was many times subjected to condemnation, jeers, and insults, which is well known to the public,” said Patriarch Porfirije.
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Source Danas, Foto: ATA Images