On the Feast Day of the Equal-to-the-Apostles, Saints Cyril and Methodius, in the year of our Lord 2024, His Holiness, the Serbian Patriarch Mr. Porfirije, posted the following message on his official Instagram profile:
“I visited today, with particular joy, the newly-founded Missionary Department of the Archbishopric of Belgrade and Karlovci at the St. Alexander Nevsky Church in Dorcol, which today celebrates its Patron Saint’s Day, the Equal-to-the-Apostles, Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Glory be to God, we have succeeded in realising this idea, that has been on my mind for many years. The importance of Church mission is apparent to everyone, and does not need much discussion. After all, the last commandment that Christ gave to His disciples was: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20).
I express my thanks to Father Oliver and all the collaborators and supporters of the Missionary Department. May our Lord give you all the strength to publicly bear authentic witness to the Crucified and Ressurected Christ and our Orthodox Faith in the world we live in, and to conduct your mission to the Glory of God, not just through words, but primarily through the works of love, towards every person, irrespective of their nationality.
Happy Patron Saint’s Day and may God bless you all!
PHOTO: His Holiness’s Facebook profile
We express our heartfelt filial gratitude to Patriarch Porfirije for the paternal support he has shown us in this way. The Patriarch’s message of encouragement has given us an added impetus to strive even harder in the missionary domain.
We also kindly ask for His Holiness’ intercessory prayers, so that our missionary efforts will be blessed and bear good fruit, to the glory of Christ, our Saviour!
May the Lord grant many years to the Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, the Founder of the Missionary Department of the Archbishopric of Belgrade and Karlovci!
Director and members of the Missionary Department of AEM
