Patriarch Porfirije and Archbishop Stefan solemnly welcomed in Niš
On the occasion of the arrival of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije and His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia kyr Stefan to the Diocese of Niš, a solemn service of Doxology was served at the Cathedral church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in Niš on 13 October 2024.
The Heads of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of Ohrid were welcomed at the Cathedral church in Niš by His Eminence Metropolitan of Niš kyr Arsenije, along with clergy, monastics, and the faithful. On this occasion, Metropolitan Arsenije extended a cordial welcome to the Most Holy Patriarch and His Beatitude the Archbishop:
– With a feeling of sincere fraternal love, joy, and honor, we cordially welcome you and your honorable entourage to the God-protected Diocese of Niš, to the ancient city of Niš, the birthplace of the Holy Equal to the Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great, and the See of our sacred Diocese. The Diocese of Niš is one of the oldest dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church, with its roots dating back to apostolic times. The first heralds of the Gospel of Christ in this region, where the most important roads of the Roman Empire intersected, were disciples of the Holy Apostle Paul. The first mention of a Bishop of the ancient city of Naissus dates from the first half of the 4th century, specifically from 343 AD, when in an epistle from the Council of Sardica, which was attended by the Bishop of Niš Gaudentius, his predecessor Bishop Cyriacus is mentioned. Since then and to this day, with longer or shorter historical interruptions, an Orthodox bishop has presided in this city. Through the turbulent and martyrial history of this region, conquerors and states have changed, ecclesial jurisdictions have alternated, but the bishop of Niš has remained with his people, sharing their fate.
Metropolitan Arsenije reminded that the magnificent Cathedral church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, where he is welcoming the dear guests, is a symbol of freedom and the overall resurrection of the Serbian people, which built this church on the foundation of the ancestral faith just before liberation from five centuries of Ottoman rule, while embedding into its walls their prayers, tears, and sighs, with the hope of finally emerging from the darkness of enslavement into the light of freedom. Therefore, at the wish of the people of Niš, the church was consecrated only after Niš was liberated from the Turks in 1878.
The Hierarch of Niš expressed great joy that for the first time, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia officially visits Niš and the Diocese of Niš, bringing the blessings of the holy Saints Kliment and Naum of Ohrid, Gavrilo of Lesnovo, and Joakim of Osogovo, as well as the brotherly love of the Macedonian people. – We strongly feel the love of your people, and we wholeheartedly return it – said Metropolitan Arsenije.
A sermon filled with gratitude for the warm and fraternal welcome at the Niš Cathedral was then delivered by Archbishop Stefan. – How good and pleasant it is when all brothers dwell together in unity! No other thought comes to mind today except this one. Thank you for the love and hospitality you always show us. I feel at home here because I served in the military in Niš and visited this church, which is even more beautiful and majestic today than it was back in 1983 – said Archbishop Stefan, blessing the many people of Niš who had come to the Cathedral to greet the esteemed guests.
The solemn service of Doxology, officiated by Archimandrite Serafim, Hegumen of Sukovo Monastery, was attended in prayer by Their Eminences Metropolitans Timotej of Debar-Kičevo and Petar of Prespa-Pelagonia, as well as Their Graces Bishops Jovan of Pakrac-Slavonia, Metodije of Budimlje-Nikšić, and Kliment of Heraclea.
Tomorrow, on the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Patriarch Porfirije and Archbishop Stefan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos in Đunis.
The Heads of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of Ohrid were welcomed at the Cathedral church in Niš by His Eminence Metropolitan of Niš kyr Arsenije, along with clergy, monastics, and the faithful. On this occasion, Metropolitan Arsenije extended a cordial welcome to the Most Holy Patriarch and His Beatitude the Archbishop:
– With a feeling of sincere fraternal love, joy, and honor, we cordially welcome you and your honorable entourage to the God-protected Diocese of Niš, to the ancient city of Niš, the birthplace of the Holy Equal to the Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great, and the See of our sacred Diocese. The Diocese of Niš is one of the oldest dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church, with its roots dating back to apostolic times. The first heralds of the Gospel of Christ in this region, where the most important roads of the Roman Empire intersected, were disciples of the Holy Apostle Paul. The first mention of a Bishop of the ancient city of Naissus dates from the first half of the 4th century, specifically from 343 AD, when in an epistle from the Council of Sardica, which was attended by the Bishop of Niš Gaudentius, his predecessor Bishop Cyriacus is mentioned. Since then and to this day, with longer or shorter historical interruptions, an Orthodox bishop has presided in this city. Through the turbulent and martyrial history of this region, conquerors and states have changed, ecclesial jurisdictions have alternated, but the bishop of Niš has remained with his people, sharing their fate.
Metropolitan Arsenije reminded that the magnificent Cathedral church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, where he is welcoming the dear guests, is a symbol of freedom and the overall resurrection of the Serbian people, which built this church on the foundation of the ancestral faith just before liberation from five centuries of Ottoman rule, while embedding into its walls their prayers, tears, and sighs, with the hope of finally emerging from the darkness of enslavement into the light of freedom. Therefore, at the wish of the people of Niš, the church was consecrated only after Niš was liberated from the Turks in 1878.
The Hierarch of Niš expressed great joy that for the first time, the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia officially visits Niš and the Diocese of Niš, bringing the blessings of the holy Saints Kliment and Naum of Ohrid, Gavrilo of Lesnovo, and Joakim of Osogovo, as well as the brotherly love of the Macedonian people. – We strongly feel the love of your people, and we wholeheartedly return it – said Metropolitan Arsenije.
A sermon filled with gratitude for the warm and fraternal welcome at the Niš Cathedral was then delivered by Archbishop Stefan. – How good and pleasant it is when all brothers dwell together in unity! No other thought comes to mind today except this one. Thank you for the love and hospitality you always show us. I feel at home here because I served in the military in Niš and visited this church, which is even more beautiful and majestic today than it was back in 1983 – said Archbishop Stefan, blessing the many people of Niš who had come to the Cathedral to greet the esteemed guests.
The solemn service of Doxology, officiated by Archimandrite Serafim, Hegumen of Sukovo Monastery, was attended in prayer by Their Eminences Metropolitans Timotej of Debar-Kičevo and Petar of Prespa-Pelagonia, as well as Their Graces Bishops Jovan of Pakrac-Slavonia, Metodije of Budimlje-Nikšić, and Kliment of Heraclea.
Tomorrow, on the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Patriarch Porfirije and Archbishop Stefan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos in Đunis.
