Patriarch of Serbia visits St. Sava Monastery in Australia

Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia continued his canonical visit to the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Australia and New Zealand on Friday, October 9, 2026, with a visit to St. Sava Monastery in Elaine, Australia.

The Patriarch was welcomed by the monastery’s abbot, Archimandrite Teodor, together with the monastic brotherhood, clergy and faithful. Established in 1972 through the dedication of Serbian immigrants, the monastery has become an important center of Orthodox spirituality in Australia.

Addressing those gathered in the Chapel of St. Alypius the Stylite, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized that God’s providence extends to all people, regardless of their background, and highlighted the missionary role of the Orthodox Church.

“The fact that the Lord has planted the roots of the Orthodox faith and Church on this continent shows that the mission of the Apostles continues through the Orthodox Church to this day,” he stated.

The Patriarch noted that although Serbian immigrants originally came to Australia seeking better living conditions, their presence also served a deeper spiritual purpose.

He stressed that the Church not only preserves the national identity of Serbian…