Patriarch of Serbia arrives in Melbourne for historic visit to Serbian Orthodox Community

Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia arrived in Melbourne late on October 7, beginning a canonical visit to the Serbian Orthodox faithful in Australia.

The Serbian Patriarch received a warm welcome at Melbourne International Airport from Metropolitan Siluan of Australia and New Zealand, hierarchs, clergy, representatives of Serbian diaspora organizations and numerous faithful.

“We, as children of the Church, rejoice and welcome our spiritual father with great warmth,” Metropolitan Siluan said, describing the Patriarch’s visit as a historic moment for the Serbian Orthodox community on the Fifth Continent.

He called on the faithful to gather around Patriarch Porfirije and emphasized that the visit offers an opportunity to manifest the unity of the Church through common liturgical life.

“The children of the Church are scattered throughout the world, and it is precisely the head of the Church, as a spiritual father, who gathers them together,” Metropolitan Siluan said.

Serbian Ambassador to Australia Rade Stefanović also welcomed the Patriarch, describing the visit as an important moment for the Serbian community in Australia and for Serbia itself.

“This visit should strengthen…