Patriarch of Serbia consecrated Serbian Orthodox Church in Melbourne

Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia presided over the consecration of the Church of St. Stephen the Archdeacon in Keysborough, Melbourne, on Sunday, October 11, 2026, as part of his visit to the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand.

The Patriarch, accompanied by several hierarchs and clergy, performed the consecration and celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the presence of numerous faithful.

The church, built in 1994 through the efforts of the local Serbian Orthodox community, has served as a center of worship and community life for more than three decades.

In his sermon, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized the importance of preserving Orthodox faith and Serbian identity among communities living abroad.

“Wherever there is a follower of St. Sava, wherever there is an Orthodox Serb, Serbia is there too, within the heart. All its light and beauty are there,” he said.

Referring to the geographical distance separating Australia from Serbia, the Patriarch stressed that faith and unity transcend borders and time zones.

“There is only one zone, and that is faith, our brotherly and sisterly embrace. In that zone, there are no difficulties,” he stated, adding that…