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Patriarch of Serbia met Trump advisor Mark Burns in Belgrade

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia received Pastor Dr. Mark Burns, spiritual advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade on July 3.

The meeting was attended by members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, including Metropolitan Irinej of Bačka and Metropolitan Jovan of Šumadija.

According to the Serbian Patriarchate, the discussions were held in a spirit of mutual understanding and focused on strengthening cooperation between the two Christian nations and peoples.

As part of his visit to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Republic of Serbia, Burns is expected to visit several Serbian Orthodox monasteries and churches.

Also attending the meeting were Bishop Ilarion of Novo Brdo; Faye Nemer, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce for the Middle East and North Africa; Goran Petković, CEO of Gemini Transport and co-founder of the organization “Serbians for Trump”; Mike Mansour, senior advisor on Middle East affairs in the Trump administration; and other representatives of both the Serbian Patriarchate and Burns’ delegation.

Source: Serbian Orthodox Church

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (19) 🌐 Show original

Zoran Milošević

Goran Petković from Gemini Transport (his cars pass through Kragujevac every day) - I hope that Burns will visit Studenica as written in the article.

Bogdan Nistor

Yes, Goran Petković from Gemini Transport really passes through Kragujevac with the shots, I see him almost every day. I hope that Burns really gets to Studenica, as the article says, because there is peace there, unlike the more crowded monasteries. Anyway, it's good that there is talk of cooperation between Christians, not just empty words.

Ilie Popa

Yes, Goran Petković really often passes through Kragujevac with his trucks, I recognize him by his numbers. I hope it also reaches Studenica, there is real peace. Good that there is talk of cooperation between Christians, maybe something good will come out of it.

Ioana Stan

Yes, Goran Petković is often there, I also know him by sight. I also hope that Burns will reach Studenica, it's a completely different peace compared to the places full of tourists. It's good that they meet and talk concretely, maybe something good will come out of this cooperation.

Павел Петров

Yes, Goran Petković from Gemini Transporta really often drives through Kragujevac, I also notice his trucks. I hope Burns gets to Studenica, it’s really quiet and to the point. It’s good that at least they talk about normal Christian friendship, and not just politicians.

Magdalena Zielińska

I hope that Burns will really reach Studenica, because there one can sit in silence without crowds. Goran Petković from Gemini Transport actually drives through Kragujevac almost every day, so I'm not surprised that so many of you recognize him. It's good that they are at least talking about ordinary Christian cooperation, and not just about politics.

Radu Constantinescu

Yes, Goran Petković often passes through Kragujevac with his shots, I also see him on the road. I hope that Burns really gets to Studenica, there the silence is completely different from the crowded monasteries. Good that they met and talked concretely about cooperation between Christians.

Олег Васильев

Yes, Goran Petković really often appears in those parts, I also saw his trucks a couple of times near Kragujevac. Studenica is a good place, you can really pray peacefully there. Interestingly, do you know which monastery Burns is going to?

Дмитрий Новиков

Goran really is at home in those parts, I also noticed his trucks near Kragujevac. Studenica - yes, there is real silence there, especially early in the morning. But I don’t know what other monastery Burns will go to, maybe he’ll visit Zichu or Decani?

Alexandra Marin

Yes, I also heard that Petković often passes by with trucks. Studenica is really quieter, especially early in the morning when you can pray without rushing. Do you think Burns will be there long enough or will it just be a quick visit?

Сергей Макаров

Goran really belongs there, I also saw his trucks a couple of times on the highway near Kragujevac. Studenica at five in the morning is a completely different story, the silence is so quiet that you can’t even hear the birds. But Decani, if Burns goes there, it will be a strong impression for the American, there is a completely different spirit there.

Viorica Lungu

Yes, Goran Petković often passes with trucks on that route, I also saw him once near Kraljevo. The early morning study is really the best for prayer, without the world. I think Burns will be staying a while, just a quick visit, as his schedule is full of official meetings.

Пётр Киселёв

Yes, Goran is just like his own there, I met his trucks a couple of times near Kragujevac. Studenica in the morning is truly a special place, complete silence. And he should definitely stop by Zicza, the history of the Serbian kings is nearby, and it’s very calm.

Екатерина Попова

Yes, Goran really belongs in these circles, I also saw his trucks a couple of times near Kragujevac. Studenica is a special place, the silence there is truly complete, especially early in the morning. And he should definitely look into Zichu, the history of kings is nearby, and it’s calm, as you say.

Тамара Иванова

Yes, Goran really belongs, I noticed his cars on the road to Kragujevac. Student at five in the morning - it’s true that the whole world has gone quiet. And in Decani, if Burns gets there, he will definitely have something to think about, the air there is completely different.

Тамара Морозова

Yes, Goran is really his own, I also saw his trucks a couple of times near Kragujevac when I went to the park. Studenitsa in the morning - that’s for sure, there is such silence there that even thoughts calm down. And he definitely needs to go to Zhichu, there are kings nearby, and after the service the cabbage pies at the nearby bakery are always delicious.

Елена Соловьёва

Yes, Goran really is at home everywhere, I noticed his trucks near Kragujevac a couple of times. Studenitsa in the morning - yes, there is such silence there that even knitting in your hands falls down on its own. But in Zhichu it’s definitely worth it, after the service I always take fresh bread from the bakery across the street - simple, but very soulful.

Павел Михайлов

Yes, Goran really is on time everywhere, I also saw his trucks a couple of times on the highway near Kragujevac. The silence in Studenica is truly special, especially early in the morning. And in Zhichu after the service, that bread from the bakery is my favorite, I always take a couple of loaves home, and then my wife serves it with cheese. Do you go there often?

Тимофей Тарасов

Yes, Goran is really everywhere, I also overtook his truck last month near Kragujevac. I take bread to Zhichu after the service almost every time I manage to stop by - my wife’s cheese makes it really tasty. Do you visit Studenica most often in the morning or after lunch?