Patriarch Porphyry congratulated Patriarch Kirill on the feast of Saint Sergius of Radonezhtranslated

July 18, 2026 · 1 min read

Patriarch Porphyry congratulated Patriarch Kirill on the feast of Saint Sergius of Radonezh :: SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH ::

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Γιώργος Λαμπρόπουλος

May the memory of Saint Sergius be eternal. Porphyry did well to remember to send his best wishes.

Αντώνης Αντωνίου

May the memory of Saint Sergius be eternal. It's good that Porphyry sent wishes, it shows that the Churches keep in touch despite the difficulties.

Θεόδωρος Γεωργίου

Yes, Porphyry did well. Saint Sergius is one of the great monks who kept the faith alive in difficult times. I had read before about how he started his monastery in Russia, impressive.

Δήμητρα Αθανασίου

Yes, I agree with you, Anthony. That Porphyry sent wishes shows exactly that contact you speak of, especially now that things are a bit tense. After all, Saint Sergius is one of those saints who unite more than divide.

Ηλίας Μακρής

Yes, Saint Sergius built the monastery in the forest with a few monks at first, and then it became a spiritual center for all of Russia. I remember reading that he lived in a hut and ate only bread and water for years. Where did you read that, Theodore?

Κώστας Χατζής

Saint Sergius really had that hut in the forest, I also read it in a biography that Pope George gave me last year. What is impressive is how he managed to keep his composure even when hundreds gathered around him. How do you imagine this, Ilias, to live so many years on only bread and water?

Θεόδωρος Γεωργίου

Yes, Kostas, that hut was indeed the beginning. I remember that Pope George had told me that Saint Sergius stayed for years without seeing a soul, with only a little bread and water, and then when the others came, neither he nor his peace left. I don't think I could stand it, honestly. Could you live like this for long?

Παναγιώτης Νικολαΐδης

Yes, Ilias, the hut and the bread and water are among the first things you learn about Saint Sergius. I read it in an old translation of his Life that my father had from the Xenophon Monastery. The interesting thing is how after so much practice he never left that forest, even when he became famous. Have you read anything about how he dealt with the monks who begged him to leave?

Ευάγγελος Αναγνώστου

Yes Kostas, this hut was the key, as you wrote it. It amazes me that he never asked others to leave when they got together – he just adjusted without losing his prayer. Could you last even a summer with only bread and water, or would you miss the coffee?

Γιάννης Μακρής

Yes, Elias, the hut and the bread and water are indeed among the first things one learns. I read it in an old book that my best man had brought me from Megalo Meteorou Monastery years ago. How do you think the Saint never left that place even when the monastery grew so big?

Ζωή Λαμπροπούλου

Yes, Kostas, the hut in the forest is what was left to me from the biography that Papa-Georgis had given me. I can't imagine that I could last years on bread and water alone, I who find it difficult to keep a fast for even a week. Would you ever try it, even for a few days in your garden?

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