PATRIARCH PORFIRIJE: UNITY OF SERB PEOPLE IS ETERNAL

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 14 /SRNA/ – His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia has said this evening that the unity of the Serb people is eternal over its roots in the Orthodox faith.

"We must not only preserve our faith, but live by it. Only then will we fulfill the covenant of Christ and our forefathers. Only then will we be who we truly are, and only then, without fear and imposition, will we be able with joy, peace and pride to build community and bridges with others," Patriarch Porfirije said in Banja Luka at a formal academic ceremony marking the Day of the Unity of Serbs, Freedom and the National Flag. His Holiness stressed that he regards Republika Srpska as his home and that, for this reason, he is filled with joy and feels greatly blessed whenever he comes to the land of his ancestors, grandparents and parents. He pointed out they had gathered this evening to show that they are one - one people, one faith and one Church. "Let the Orthodox faith be our flag, let the Serbian Orthodox Church be the space of our unity, and let our lives be lives in Christ, who gives us true freedom so that we may know who and what we are," Patriarch Porfirije said. The Patriarch of Serbia pointed out that the Serb people has remained steadfast despite the many storms, hardships and tempests that have struck them throughout history. "Not only did they survive, but they have always truly been creative and produced beautiful spiritual fruits that serve as the signs by which others recognise them," Patriarch Porfirije said. His Holiness said that the Serb people will not merely preserve themselves until the end of history, but will continue to breathe with full lungs. "That is because the unity of our people does not rest on transient values, but has deep roots and a firm foundation upon which Saint Sava established us, which Prince Lazar and many martyrs affirmed," the Patriarch said. The Patriarch of Serbia stressed that the word of Christ has shaped the Serb people throughout the centuries and that it represents its name and surname. "We must not only preserve our faith, but live by it. Only then will we fulfill the covenant of Christ and our forefathers. Only then will we be who we truly are, and only then, without fear or imposition, will we be able with joy and peace to build community and bridges with others," Patriarch Porfirije said.