On the feast of the restoration of the Church of St. George the Great Martyr, 16/3. In November 2024, His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Mr. Porfirje presided over the Archdiocesan Liturgy in the Cathedral of Novi Sad on the occasion of the Feast of the City of Novi Sad.
His Eminence Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Mr. Anthony, President of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; His Eminence Metropolitan of Baczkovo Mr. Irinej; His Holiness Bishop of Mohacz. Damaskin, Vicar Bishop of Bach; Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Counselor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Presbyter Nikolai Vasin, Secretary of the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Archpriest Djordje Stojisavljevic, Head of the Serbian Patriarch's Cabinet; and Archpriests Milos Vesin and Vladan Simic, Secretary to Bishop Bačka.
In his sermon after the reading of the Gospel, His Holiness the Patriarch emphasized:
"Brothers and sisters, every person has faith, some believe in God, and some believe in false gods. A person cannot live without believing in something or someone. Depending on what or who a person believes in, his life, i.e. his way of life, will be shaped. We can say, that by looking at how a person lives, we can also get an idea of what kind of God that person believes in. Science also states that there is no man who does not believe, but we know this fact before all science, the science of the gospel and the science of faith, because we know the truth that man is created in the image of God. This truth, this fact confirms to us that man cannot find the reason, purpose and meaning of his existence in the created and visible world, but points to the truth that we can find the reason, purpose and meaning of our existence only in the One who is beyond time and space. in the beginningless beginning, in God Himself. The Lord Himself says that the Kingdom of God is within us, i.e. no matter how distant from us the reason or place of the source of the meaning of our existence may seem at first glance - because God transcends time and space - He is at the same time within us. Everyone can only find himself when he finds the God who is in us, who is everywhere, who is beyond time and space, who is the only God who has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as we hear from today's Gospel, it does not matter so much what someone around us says or what we say, convincing the one next to us and around us, justifying ourselves to him depending on what we want to achieve, it is not important first of all what people think of us, rather - precisely because our life depends on the One in whom we believe and how we believe - it is important what we say to God, what we say to the Lord Christ, because we Orthodox Christians believe in Him. Brothers and sisters, such were all God's favorites, because the life of Christ was reflected in them. Such was St. George, whom we celebrate today. Although he could have taken with his way and style of life the philosophy of this world, which wants power, might and success, which is greedy - he could have done it if he had wanted to - he would have been, since he had already succeeded in everything. of this world, even more successful and famous. But he, knowing that earthly things are for a short time, heavenly things are always and forever, chose Christ and, like all saints, was ready to bear witness to Him with his life and his blood, which he did."
At the intercessory prayer of the Patriarch of Serbia, Msgr. Porphyrios blessed the glorious gifts brought for the glory of God and in honor of the Holy Great Martyr George, the patron saint of the city of Novi Sad. Then His Holiness served a funeral service for all those who suffered as a result of the tragedy that occurred at the Novi Sad train station.
His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Mr.
. Porfiry then presented Mr. Petar, a historian from Novi Sad, was awarded the Order of St. Despot Stefan Lazarevic Djurdjev, who, at the suggestion of His Eminence Metropolitan of Bačka, Mr. Irinej, was awarded by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church in recognition of his great contribution to the development of culture, preservation of traditions and cultural heritage of the Serbian people.
In conclusion, congratulating everyone on the holiday and the glory of the city, Patriarch Porphyrios of Serbia said: "Brothers and sisters, we all congratulate Mr. Srpski. Djurdev and I pray to God that all of us together with him, imitating God's favorites, do everything for the glory of God and for the good of our people. May there be happy and blessed glory to all the people of Novi Sad, first of all to Bishop Irinej, the master and spiritual father of the Diocese of Bacovka, and to the Mayor of Novi Sad, as well as to all of us. Truly deeply shaken by all of us, we served the memorial service for the tragic victims at the train station with faith in God, knowing that our Lord is the God of the living and the dead, and that in Him and for Him there is no living and no dead. Therefore, we prayed to God to save the souls of the innocent victims and to comfort all who are saddened by their departure from here. May the Lord grant them the kingdom of God! Once again, we wish everyone good health, mutual harmony, understanding, unity in faith in Christ our Lord and Savior, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.'
His Eminence Metropolitan Mr. Irinej of Baczków:
'I would also like to join, as a competent bishop, in this festive greeting, to thank our brothers, the delegation of the sister Russian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk and his entourage for their fraternal visit and participation in our celebration. . If God gives life and health, we hope that he will be with us in better circumstances than this year. I would also like to welcome the Prime Minister of our Government, who was the Mayor of Novi Sad for many years and who has Novi Sad in his heart, as do all of us and all those who are here and gathered here. Through the prayers of St. George, may the Lord grant rest to the souls of the injured and the dead, recovery and healing to those who are now in a difficult situation, and to all of us every good and blessing, and above all, that we may follow the path that our Holy Church tells us and that His Holiness the Patriarch spoke about in his sermon after the Gospel, and that is the path of St. George and the path of our saint Sava, the path of all the holy God's saints. Happy summer to all!"
Present at the Holy Liturgy in the Novosad Cathedral were: Mr. Miloš Vučević, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Milan Djuric, Mayor of Novi Sad; Ms. Dina Vucinic, President of the Assembly of the City of Novi Sad; Mr.. Nikola Banjak, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia; Dr. Vesna Turkulova, s.d. Director of the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina; Prof. Dr. Dragan Stanić, President of Matica Srpska; Mr.. Miroslav Ilic, Assistant Regional Secretary for Culture, Public Information and Relations with Religious Communities; Mr.. Nikola Pervaz, President of the Church Municipality of Novi Sad; and many figures of public life in Serbian Athens.
After the Holy Liturgy in the Cathedral, in the solemn hall of the Novi Sad Municipality, the Most Reverend Bishop of Mohacs, Msgr. Damaskin, accompanied by Archpriest-Stavrophor Dr. Miloš Vesin and Deacon Damjan Ljujic, performed the act of consecrating the Slavonic gifts, and prayed for all those who were tragically injured at the Novi Sad train station.
His Eminence Metropolitan of Volokolamsk Mr. Anthony, President of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; His Eminence Metropolitan of Baczkovo Mr. Irinej; His Holiness Bishop of Mohacz. Damaskin, Vicar Bishop of Bach; Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, Counselor to the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Archpriest Igor Yakimchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Presbyter Nikolai Vasin, Secretary of the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate; Archpriest Djordje Stojisavljevic, Head of the Serbian Patriarch's Cabinet; and Archpriests Milos Vesin and Vladan Simic, Secretary to Bishop Bačka.
In his sermon after the reading of the Gospel, His Holiness the Patriarch emphasized:
"Brothers and sisters, every person has faith, some believe in God, and some believe in false gods. A person cannot live without believing in something or someone. Depending on what or who a person believes in, his life, i.e. his way of life, will be shaped. We can say, that by looking at how a person lives, we can also get an idea of what kind of God that person believes in. Science also states that there is no man who does not believe, but we know this fact before all science, the science of the gospel and the science of faith, because we know the truth that man is created in the image of God. This truth, this fact confirms to us that man cannot find the reason, purpose and meaning of his existence in the created and visible world, but points to the truth that we can find the reason, purpose and meaning of our existence only in the One who is beyond time and space. in the beginningless beginning, in God Himself. The Lord Himself says that the Kingdom of God is within us, i.e. no matter how distant from us the reason or place of the source of the meaning of our existence may seem at first glance - because God transcends time and space - He is at the same time within us. Everyone can only find himself when he finds the God who is in us, who is everywhere, who is beyond time and space, who is the only God who has revealed Himself to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as we hear from today's Gospel, it does not matter so much what someone around us says or what we say, convincing the one next to us and around us, justifying ourselves to him depending on what we want to achieve, it is not important first of all what people think of us, rather - precisely because our life depends on the One in whom we believe and how we believe - it is important what we say to God, what we say to the Lord Christ, because we Orthodox Christians believe in Him. Brothers and sisters, such were all God's favorites, because the life of Christ was reflected in them. Such was St. George, whom we celebrate today. Although he could have taken with his way and style of life the philosophy of this world, which wants power, might and success, which is greedy - he could have done it if he had wanted to - he would have been, since he had already succeeded in everything. of this world, even more successful and famous. But he, knowing that earthly things are for a short time, heavenly things are always and forever, chose Christ and, like all saints, was ready to bear witness to Him with his life and his blood, which he did."
At the intercessory prayer of the Patriarch of Serbia, Msgr. Porphyrios blessed the glorious gifts brought for the glory of God and in honor of the Holy Great Martyr George, the patron saint of the city of Novi Sad. Then His Holiness served a funeral service for all those who suffered as a result of the tragedy that occurred at the Novi Sad train station.
His Holiness Patriarch of Serbia Mr.
. Porfiry then presented Mr. Petar, a historian from Novi Sad, was awarded the Order of St. Despot Stefan Lazarevic Djurdjev, who, at the suggestion of His Eminence Metropolitan of Bačka, Mr. Irinej, was awarded by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church in recognition of his great contribution to the development of culture, preservation of traditions and cultural heritage of the Serbian people.
In conclusion, congratulating everyone on the holiday and the glory of the city, Patriarch Porphyrios of Serbia said: "Brothers and sisters, we all congratulate Mr. Srpski. Djurdev and I pray to God that all of us together with him, imitating God's favorites, do everything for the glory of God and for the good of our people. May there be happy and blessed glory to all the people of Novi Sad, first of all to Bishop Irinej, the master and spiritual father of the Diocese of Bacovka, and to the Mayor of Novi Sad, as well as to all of us. Truly deeply shaken by all of us, we served the memorial service for the tragic victims at the train station with faith in God, knowing that our Lord is the God of the living and the dead, and that in Him and for Him there is no living and no dead. Therefore, we prayed to God to save the souls of the innocent victims and to comfort all who are saddened by their departure from here. May the Lord grant them the kingdom of God! Once again, we wish everyone good health, mutual harmony, understanding, unity in faith in Christ our Lord and Savior, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.'
His Eminence Metropolitan Mr. Irinej of Baczków:
'I would also like to join, as a competent bishop, in this festive greeting, to thank our brothers, the delegation of the sister Russian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk and his entourage for their fraternal visit and participation in our celebration. . If God gives life and health, we hope that he will be with us in better circumstances than this year. I would also like to welcome the Prime Minister of our Government, who was the Mayor of Novi Sad for many years and who has Novi Sad in his heart, as do all of us and all those who are here and gathered here. Through the prayers of St. George, may the Lord grant rest to the souls of the injured and the dead, recovery and healing to those who are now in a difficult situation, and to all of us every good and blessing, and above all, that we may follow the path that our Holy Church tells us and that His Holiness the Patriarch spoke about in his sermon after the Gospel, and that is the path of St. George and the path of our saint Sava, the path of all the holy God's saints. Happy summer to all!"
Present at the Holy Liturgy in the Novosad Cathedral were: Mr. Miloš Vučević, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia; Mr. Milan Djuric, Mayor of Novi Sad; Ms. Dina Vucinic, President of the Assembly of the City of Novi Sad; Mr.. Nikola Banjak, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia; Dr. Vesna Turkulova, s.d. Director of the University Clinical Center of Vojvodina; Prof. Dr. Dragan Stanić, President of Matica Srpska; Mr.. Miroslav Ilic, Assistant Regional Secretary for Culture, Public Information and Relations with Religious Communities; Mr.. Nikola Pervaz, President of the Church Municipality of Novi Sad; and many figures of public life in Serbian Athens.
After the Holy Liturgy in the Cathedral, in the solemn hall of the Novi Sad Municipality, the Most Reverend Bishop of Mohacs, Msgr. Damaskin, accompanied by Archpriest-Stavrophor Dr. Miloš Vesin and Deacon Damjan Ljujic, performed the act of consecrating the Slavonic gifts, and prayed for all those who were tragically injured at the Novi Sad train station.
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