← News feed Church of Greece

Serbian Patriarch meets with Donald Trump's spiritual advisortranslated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

The Patriarch of Serbia Mr. On Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade, Porfirios welcomed Pastor Dr. Mark Burns, spiritual advisor to the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump. The conversation, which was also attended by the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops, His Eminence Metropolitans Mr. Irenaios of Batska and Mr. Ioannis of Sumadia, was held in a spirit of mutual understanding, with the aim of strengthening the cooperation between the two Christian countries and the two Christian peoples.

During his visit to Serbia, Dr. Burns will visit a number of Orthodox monasteries and holy churches.

The meeting was also attended by the Most Reverend Assistant Bishop of Novo Brdo, Mr. Hilarion; Mr. Fay Nemer, consultant and general manager of the American Chamber of Commerce for the Middle East and North Africa; Mr. Goran Petkovic, general manager of Gemini Transport and co-founder of the organization "Serbians for Trump"; Mr. Mike Mansour, consultant and senior presidential adviser on Middle East affairs in President Trump's administration; dnis Jovana Petkovic, director of operations…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Radu Nistor

I hope they don't stay only in discussions and photos. If παστορας Περνς will actually visit the monasteries, it would be good to see how the monks live today in Soumadia and Bάτσκα, not only to pass by the sights. Γκόραν Πέτκοβιτς from «Serbians for Trump» is ok, but let's see what will happen in practice for τους Σέρβους here.

Gabriela Stan

You're right, Radu, just pictures and handshakes don't help anyone. If Father Burns actually talks to the monks of Krka Monastery or Hopovo and sees how they are dealing with wood prices and young people leaving for the city, then yes, something good could come of it. Let's see what Goran Petkovic says after he returns - he's a serious man, but facts count more than posters.

Ion Popescu

I hope Pastor Burns actually gets to the Sumadia and Bačka monasteries, not just the ones on the tourist list. If he talks to the monks about wood prices and how young people go to the city, as Gabriela says, he can better understand what life there means today. Goran Petkovic from "Serbians for Trump" is an interesting detail, let's see if any concrete collaboration comes out of it.

Людмила Савченко

I hope παστορας Περνς will not stay only in the photos with the Patriarch Πορφύριο and the Synod. If he really goes to the monasteries of Šumadia and Mάτσκα, as Radu and Gabriela say, let him sit and listen to the monks for the ξύλα and the children who leave the city - this would be useful, not just tourism. Ο Gόραν Πέτκοβιτς from "Serbians for Trump" will probably take him to the right places.

Марія Ткаченко

Lyudmila, it is interesting that you mention Suma and Bachka in particular. It seems to me that if the pastor really sits down with the monks and hears about the firewood and young people fleeing to the cities, he might understand why we have so many empty villages. Have you been to any of those monasteries recently?

Nicolae Constantinescu

Yes, Radu, you got it right. If Pastor Burns gets to talk to the monks in the Bačka and Sumadija monasteries and see with his own eyes how they struggle with heating bills and the lack of young people, he can understand more than any report. Goran Petkovic seems like a serious man, but just like that, let's see what is concretely chosen from this whole visit.

Andrei Lungu

I also hope they reach the smaller monasteries in Sumadia, not just the big ones on the usual route. Ion's speech, if he talks to the monks about wood and the departure of young people to the city, he understands more than from any official report. Goran Petkovic is a good detail, but I wonder if anything concrete will come out of "Serbians for Trump" or if it remains at the level of a picture.

Raluca Gheorghiu

You're right, Gabriela, the discussions at the monasteries about wood prices and young people leaving are more useful than any picture. I just wonder if Pastor Burns, being a Protestant, will really understand what the night service and the long winter fast means to them. Goran Petkovic to tell us on his return what he really heard.

Yes, Gabriela, wood prices and the departure of young people are exactly the problems I see when I go up to the monasteries around Craiova. If Burns is actually talking to the monks and not just passing by as a tourist, then Goran might bring back some concrete ideas. Do you think it would be useful to send him some pictures of what is happening here with the young people?

Petru Munteanu

I agree with you, Ion, especially about the wood prices - the monks of Sumadia really struggle with this every winter. If Burns also reaches a more secluded monastery, he can see that it's not just about politics, but how the village survives. Goran Petkovic from "Serbians for Trump" seems to me a sign that they also want practical links, not just pictures.