PATRIARCH PORFIRIJE: SALVATION, PEACE AND LOVE ARE THE PATH OF OUR FAITHFUL

PALE, SEPTEMBER 26 /SRNA/ - His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said today at the Church of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel in Pale that Orthodox saints had shown the faithful Serb people the path toward goodness and salvation, toward peace, love and understanding among different people and nations, and toward peace in the world.

"And that is the path, brothers and sisters, for you as well, who live at the foot of these Olympic mountains, where the beauty and love of God meet the faith and strength of our people," Patriarch Porfirije said in his sermon following the consecration of the church and the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy. He reiterated that he rejoices from the depths of his soul whenever he comes to any place where an Orthodox Serb soul lives and prays to God for its own salvation and for the salvation and peace of the entire world. Patriarch Porfirije stressed that wherever he goes, "even if there is just one such soul, God is present there to help." "But let the spiritual children of our Church, who are honorable and wonderful and adorned with many virtues in different parts of the world, not hold it against me when I say that I never feel such joy, such comfort and so much love as I do when I come to Republika Srpska. Perhaps I am somewhat subjective, because my roots are here as well. My forefathers, great-grandfathers and grandfathers are from here, and my parents were born and grew up here," Patriarch Porfirije said. He stressed that he was proud of the people of Republika Srpska for their faith, integrity, devotion to God and their Church, and for their unity. "Cherish and preserve unity, no matter how different you may be and no matter how differently you may think about certain issues. Diversity enriches and contributes to the whole. But always remain united and as one. Do not betray one another. That is why we build churches. That is why churches exist," Patriarch Porfirije stressed. Thanking His Eminence Metropolitan Hrizostom of Dabar-Bosnia and his honorable predecessors, Patriarch Porfirije said the church in Pale stands as a testimony, but also as a constant reminder of the need to place God at the center of life. "May this church truly be not only walls, foundations or a dome, but a church into which you come as site of the Holy Spirit, into which the grace of God enters and makes the church of the Holy Spirit - your soul and your heart - always open to embrace everyone, because we are all embraced by the heart and love of God. Above all, embrace one another," the Serbian Patriarch said in his sermon. Following the consecration of the Church of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel and the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy, Patriarch Porfirije presented orders, plaques and certificates of appreciation to individuals and institutions that contributed to the construction of the church. Today's prayer gathering in Pale was attended by President Milorad Dodik, Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac, Republika Srpska Minister for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education Draga Mastilović, Justice Minister Goran Selak, Republika Srpska National Assembly MPs Aco Stanišić and Damjan Škipina, as well as representatives of the public, cultural and political life of the City of Istočno Sarajevo and the Municipality of Pale. Construction of the Church of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel began in 2008, and that same year, on the feast of Saints Joachim and Anna, Sept. 22, the late Metropolitan Nikolaj consecrated its foundations. Services have been held in the church since 2015.