After more than 80 years, a patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church arrived in Doboj.

The arrival of patriarch Porfirije was organized on the eve of the Holy Transfiguration, the patron saint day of the city.

The patriarch was welcomed in front of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, where doxology was served.

– My heart is full of joy on the eve of the great feast of the Holy Transfiguration for several reasons. The first is the love of God that brings us all together and blesses us. I am joyful for coming here to the area of origin of my roots, and if I were to count the days of my childhood spent in this area, I am sure they would add up to at least a third of my youth – said patriarch Porfirije.

He pointed out that this area was ‘part of his being.’

– And this is the area to which I belong completely and unreservedly in body and soul, the area that I know well; and not only the landscape, but also the people living here are in the true sense part of my bones and I am part of that body and those bones. I could spend days talking and describing my experiences incorporated in my being, but it could all be described in a single word, and that is the love I feel for you brothers and sisters and the love I feel from you towards my humble person, not because I am important, but because it is your love for the Church of Christ – the patriarch added.

The attendees included Republic of Srpska President Željka Cvijanović, National Assembly Speaker Nedeljko Čubrilović, Prime Minister Radovan Višković, BiH Presidency Serb member Milorad Dodik and representatives of political parties, as well as Serb representatives in joint institutions.

The patriarch was welcomed by numerous clergy of the Eparchy of Zvornik and Tuzla.

The bishop of Zvornik and Tuzla, Fotije, arrived together with the patriarch.

Serbian patriarch Porfirije will meet tonight in Doboj with leaders of political parties from the Republic of Srpska.

The meeting will be held in the Bishop’s House in the Doboj settlement of Bare, starting at 7:30 pm.

The arrival of the Serbian Orthodox Church patriarch in the city of Doboj is of great importance, as supported by the estimates that as many as 10,000 citizens will attend the event. Doboj has been preparing for this for days. The arrival of the patriarch was followed by serving of doxology, a liturgy expressing the power and greatness of God.

A Holy Hierarch’s Liturgy will be served tomorrow at 9:00 am in the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, planned to be followed by formation of a lity starting at 11:00 am from the Temple to the City Administration.

Therefore, the streets of Doboj already look festive today. They are decorated with Serbian tricolors and Serbian Orthodox Church flags.

Slava bread will be consecrated and broken in front of the City Administration tomorrow at noon.

The very church from which the lity will start was consecrated 83 years ago by patriarch Gavrilo V, on 18 September 1938.

It was the first Orthodox church in this city, and before that, worship was held in an adapted house built in 1884. Also on that occasion, thousands of citizens welcomed the patriarch.

Source and photo: RTRS