Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije: We pray for peace in Ukraine

Our own memories of tragic wars and conflicts in the former Yugoslavia are very much alive among us, and here is another war that broke out in Europe, among our Christian brothers, Russians and Ukrainians - Patriarch Porfirije said during last night's service held in the Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade

The patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Porfirije, has called on the faithful to pray for peace in Ukraine, and added that he hoped that peace talks would take place as soon as possible, because peace has no price.

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"We pray for peace constantly, but these days especially and especially as people and as Christians we pray for peace in Ukraine. Our own memories, the memories of each of us, of the tragic wars and conflicts in the former Yugoslavia are very much alive among us, and here is another war that broke out in Europe, among our Christian brothers, Russians and Ukrainians," patriarch Porfirije said in the Temple of St. Sava last night.

He added that the war in Ukraine produces suffering and divisions, but not only at this moment between "our brothers Russians and Ukrainians, but threatens to bring suffering and divisions both to the whole world and to Europe, where we feel like a tragedy is coming."

"Because of that, sorrow erupted in our hears just like the war broke out, but also in our souls, sadness because of the suffering of the peoples close to us in every way, but also anxiety because of the danger that this war brings to the whole of Europe and the whole the world. That means danger for us who live in areas that are divided and still insufficiently reconciled," said Patriarch Porfirije.

The patriarch also stated that he felt the need to encourage all those gathered to turn sorrow into compassion, in solidarity with those who are suffering, with those who are now left without their homes and who seek refuge and security elsewhere.

"I remind myself and you and call on myself and on you to have sympathy with those who lack basic needs for survival and, of course, with those who are already coming to our country as refugees," said Patriarch Porfirije.

He recalled that the Church has started collecting donations for the victims in Ukraine, as well as that it has already collected a certain amount, which it will seek a way to deliver to Metropolitan Onufriy.

The Serbian patriarch called for prayer for peace and decisive action, preservation and witnessing of peace wherever we are and wherever we live, and especially investing in all spiritual and other efforts to preserve peace in areas where Serbs live with other nations in what was until recently a common country.

(Telegraf.rs)