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Patriarch Porfirios and Trump's Advisor on a historic visit to the "Holy Places of the Serbs" in Kosovotranslated

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

The joint visit of the Patriarch of Serbia, His Excellency Porfirio and the spiritual advisor of the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, pastor Dr. Mark Burns, in the ancient chair of the Serbian Patriarchs in the Monastery of Pecs. Dr. Burns is visiting the Patriarchate of Serbia with the aim of strengthening cooperation between the two Christian countries and the two Christian peoples. In this context, after the meeting they had on Friday, July 3, at the headquarters of the Patriarchate in Belgrade, yesterday, Sunday, July 5, they went to the historic Pets Monastery in Kosovo.

At the gate of the ancient headquarters of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Serbian Patriarch Mr. Porfirio, Pastor Burns and their entourage were welcomed by Gerontissa Charitini, Prioress of the Holy Monastery.

Immediately after the celebration of the Doxology for the reception of the Serbian Primate in the Catholic Church of the Monastery, After the reception ceremony, His Beatitude Mr. Porphyry and the distinguished visitor from the United States of America worshiped the miraculous…

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Jan Szymański

Interestingly, Pastor Burns went all the way to Pécs and not just Belgrade. It's good that Gerontissa Charitini received them at the gate and that there was a doxology in the katholikon immediately. I keep my fingers crossed that this visit will actually help protect these old Serbian places.

Екатерина Попова

It’s good that we went to Pecs and didn’t limit ourselves to Belgrade. Abbess Kharitina met them at the gate - that's right. Let's hope that after such a meeting, Americans will understand at least a little better why these places are not just history for the Serbs.

Иван Стоянов

It's good that they went directly to Pecs and didn't just stay in Belgrade. Abbess Haritina met them at the gate and immediately there was a doxology in the Catholicon - that's right. Hopefully the visit will help preserve these old Serbian monasteries.

Емил Атанасов

I agree with you Ivan. It's good that they went right to Pecs - that's where the heart of everything is. Abbess Haritina always greets like this, with order and humility, I remember her from previous years. Hope it really helps the monasteries because without support it becomes more and more difficult.

Людмила Новикова

I agree, Pecs is the heart of it all and not just a stop along the way. Abbess Kharitina is at the gate - she always greets you like that, simply and with dignity. I wonder whether this trip will affect real assistance to the Serbian parishes there, or will only photos remain again?

Ewa Kaczmarek

I agree, this visit to Pécs itself carries more weight than meeting only in Belgrade. I wonder if after this doxology and conversation with Mother Charitini, Pastor Burns will come back to Trump with specific conclusions, and not just beautiful photos. I keep my fingers crossed for you.

Борис Илиев

I agree, Ivan, they should have gone to Pecs - there are the graves of the first Serbian patriarchs. I went years ago with a group from Burgas and Abbess Haritina welcomed us in the same way, humbly and businesslike. Hopefully, this visit also brought some real help for the repair of the walls, because the moisture is eating them from the inside.