Budapest: Serbian Patriarch Porfirije visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Mr. Porfirije visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Budapest during the first day of his visit to Hungary, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Serbian Patriarchate and the 20th anniversary of the service of Bishop Lucian as the head of the Eparchy of Buda.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Budapest Ivan Todorov, together with the staff of the Embassy, organized a formal reception at the Embassy and addressed the audience, pointing out that the political relations between the Republic of Serbia and Hungary have reached the highest level ever and that Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, the President of the Republic of Serbia and Viktor Orbán, Prime Minister of Hungary, contributed most to the enhancement of bilateral cooperation, considering the fact that they built their mutual relation on understanding and support.

Patriarch Porfirije addressed the audience as well, stating that the Serbian and Hungarian peoples did not only share the greatest mutual understanding, but had a true and sincere cooperation in all segments.

The reception was attended by representatives of the Government of Hungary, the diplomatic corps, representatives of Serbian institutions in Hungary and the athletes.

During the second day of the visit, Partarch Porfirije served a liturgy in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Szentendre, which was attended by Mr. Zsolt Semjén, Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary, Vytajos Ester, Deputy Minister of Culture, Miklós Soltész, Secretary of State for Cooperation with Churches and Religious Communities, Hungarian dignitaries, representatives of Serbian institutions and a large number of believers.

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said, inter alia, that the Serbs, fleeing from troubles, came to Szentendre that was a deserted place back then. They built modest houses, but, although in poverty and misery, they also built eight beautiful temples in a small space, which have survived to this day. Therefore, Szentendre, the local Serbs and the Orthodox Church can serve as the best possible role model for all the Orthodox Serbs wherever they live, Serbia included.

The Patriarch also expressed gratitude to the Hungarian state for everything it did for the people and the church, for the support to the life of Orthodox believers and complimented the Hungarian government for standing up for Christian values in Europe.

On the last day of his visit, Patriarch Porfirije met with the Hungarian state leaders and awarded Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán with the highest honour of the Serbian Orthodox Church - the Order of Saint Sava of the first degree, as a sign of gratitude for promoting traditional Christian values, supporting the Eparchy of Buda and an exceptional personal contribution to strengthening the friendship between Serbia and Hungary.

Following the meeting with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Patriarch Porfirije paid a visit to the Basilica of St. Stephen and the Parliament of Hungary, where he met with the Speaker of the Parliament László Kövér.

The Patriarch also met with the President of Hungary Katalin Novák and the interlocutors confirmed that the relations between the two countries today are probably the best in the last few centuries.

During his stay in Hungary, the Serbian Patriarch Porfirije also visited the headquarters of the "Serb Self-Government", the umbrella organization of the Serbian community in Hungary as well as the Nikola Tesla Serbian School in Budapest.