Patriarch Porfirije presented with the Plaque of the Union of the Blind of Serbia
As a token of gratitude for his selfless support to blind and visually impaired individuals and the excellent cooperation between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Union of the Blind of Serbia, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije was presented with the Plaque of the Union of the Blind of Serbia.
At the beginning of the cordial meeting with the esteemed guests at the See of the Patriarchate in Belgrade, His Holiness welcomed the delegation of the Union of the Blind of Serbia. For many years, and especially since His Holiness kyr Porfirije assumed the throne of Saint Sava, the Serbian Orthodox Church have been striving to support the work of the Union of the Blind of Serbia. Joint efforts in various projects have always fostered close cooperation and friendship, which naturally encourage further good deeds for the benefit of our faithful people, particularly our visually impaired and blind brothers and sisters.
– If we were to speak at all about who helps whom and how, I must honestly say that I feel deeply helped by you and your love. Regardless, we all know that we are one body and one organism, and where there is understanding and love, where there is mutual support, everyone fulfills only the function assigned within that organism and body, and thus there are no more or less important individuals; rather, everyone is equally important when they perform their task with love and sacrifice. Ultimately, no one can do without another. In fact, we all need each other. This is the experience of the Church; this is the truth reminded to us by the great Apostle Paul – emphasized Patriarch Porfirije, noting that his encounters with members of the Union of the Blind of Serbia at their many events always remind him of the words of the Lord: I am the Light of the world (John 8:12).
– We know that where there is no light, there is darkness. In other words, without light, it is impossible to simply watch let alone to truly see. Since our God, Jesus Christ, is the Light of the world, only those who have communion with Christ and hold Him in their hearts are in the light and can truly see. Vision is a deep, existential dimension of human existence, and it primarily has little to do with external sight and external light. True and real sight is inner, spiritual vision, which is an expression of communion and connection with the Light per se, which is God. The one who carries this vision within has an open spiritual eye, regardless of any external circumstances. He sees and comprehends the essence of our existence — that every human being is the image of God, that everyone is a brother to one another, and that the path of our existence, which affirms us as humans, is solely the path of love, which is not easy to clear because, independently of that path, various forces tend to sow weed upon it and make it arduous and difficult. But although it is not simple, there is no other way. The only true and right way is exactly this way of love — the path of light, which leads to personal growth, to advancement to one's fullness, and toward one's maximum potential. This path is, in fact, endless because Christ is the Light, the Alpha and the Omega, beyond the limits of time and space — eternal and infinite.
– I am glad that we are gathered here today at the See of the Patriarchate and that, thanks to your love and dedication, we have the opportunity to present you with Braille calendars intended for all members of the Union of the Blind of Serbia, as well as for anyone with a formal and external, but not essential, impairment which your Union strives with all its strength — primarily through love and sacrifice — to provide for those in need. You are most welcome here; may God bless and protect us all – concluded Patriarch Porfirije.
Expressing his gratitude for the long-standing and wholehearted support to the Union of the Blind of Serbia, Mr. Milan Stošić, president of the only representative association that brings together over twelve thousand blind and visually impaired individuals in Serbia, presented the Plaque of the Union of the Blind of Serbia to His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije.
The reception was attended by His Grace Bishop of Toplica kyr Petar, coordinator of the Religious Charitable Guardianship; Archimandrite Nektarije, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of Bishops; Protopresbyter Đorđe Stojisavljević, Head of the Office of the Serbian Patriarch; and Mr. Dušan Stokanović, Director of the Information and Publishing Institution of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
At the beginning of the cordial meeting with the esteemed guests at the See of the Patriarchate in Belgrade, His Holiness welcomed the delegation of the Union of the Blind of Serbia. For many years, and especially since His Holiness kyr Porfirije assumed the throne of Saint Sava, the Serbian Orthodox Church have been striving to support the work of the Union of the Blind of Serbia. Joint efforts in various projects have always fostered close cooperation and friendship, which naturally encourage further good deeds for the benefit of our faithful people, particularly our visually impaired and blind brothers and sisters.
– If we were to speak at all about who helps whom and how, I must honestly say that I feel deeply helped by you and your love. Regardless, we all know that we are one body and one organism, and where there is understanding and love, where there is mutual support, everyone fulfills only the function assigned within that organism and body, and thus there are no more or less important individuals; rather, everyone is equally important when they perform their task with love and sacrifice. Ultimately, no one can do without another. In fact, we all need each other. This is the experience of the Church; this is the truth reminded to us by the great Apostle Paul – emphasized Patriarch Porfirije, noting that his encounters with members of the Union of the Blind of Serbia at their many events always remind him of the words of the Lord: I am the Light of the world (John 8:12).
– We know that where there is no light, there is darkness. In other words, without light, it is impossible to simply watch let alone to truly see. Since our God, Jesus Christ, is the Light of the world, only those who have communion with Christ and hold Him in their hearts are in the light and can truly see. Vision is a deep, existential dimension of human existence, and it primarily has little to do with external sight and external light. True and real sight is inner, spiritual vision, which is an expression of communion and connection with the Light per se, which is God. The one who carries this vision within has an open spiritual eye, regardless of any external circumstances. He sees and comprehends the essence of our existence — that every human being is the image of God, that everyone is a brother to one another, and that the path of our existence, which affirms us as humans, is solely the path of love, which is not easy to clear because, independently of that path, various forces tend to sow weed upon it and make it arduous and difficult. But although it is not simple, there is no other way. The only true and right way is exactly this way of love — the path of light, which leads to personal growth, to advancement to one's fullness, and toward one's maximum potential. This path is, in fact, endless because Christ is the Light, the Alpha and the Omega, beyond the limits of time and space — eternal and infinite.
– I am glad that we are gathered here today at the See of the Patriarchate and that, thanks to your love and dedication, we have the opportunity to present you with Braille calendars intended for all members of the Union of the Blind of Serbia, as well as for anyone with a formal and external, but not essential, impairment which your Union strives with all its strength — primarily through love and sacrifice — to provide for those in need. You are most welcome here; may God bless and protect us all – concluded Patriarch Porfirije.
Expressing his gratitude for the long-standing and wholehearted support to the Union of the Blind of Serbia, Mr. Milan Stošić, president of the only representative association that brings together over twelve thousand blind and visually impaired individuals in Serbia, presented the Plaque of the Union of the Blind of Serbia to His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije.
The reception was attended by His Grace Bishop of Toplica kyr Petar, coordinator of the Religious Charitable Guardianship; Archimandrite Nektarije, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of Bishops; Protopresbyter Đorđe Stojisavljević, Head of the Office of the Serbian Patriarch; and Mr. Dušan Stokanović, Director of the Information and Publishing Institution of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
