Serbian Patriarch Porfirije reaffirmed the Serbian Orthodox Church’s deep alignment with Russia during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on the second day of Orthodox Easter, emphasizing the vital importance of Russian support for Serbia’s national and religious interests. „Without Kosovo and without Republika Srpska, the Serbian people have no perspective,“ Patriarch Porfirije told President Putin.
Porfirije expressed gratitude for Moscow’s reportedly steadfast support regarding Kosovo, Republika Srpska, and Montenegro — all areas with significant Serbian populations and religious heritage. “My wish, and that of most in our Church, is that in any future geopolitical reshuffling, we find ourselves within the Russian sphere,” the patriarch said.
His remarks invoked the memory of his predecessor, Patriarch Irinej, who famously said that Serbia’s “small boat” should remain tied to the “large Russian ship” amid global turbulence. Porfirije reaffirmed that sentiment: “The Serbian people look upon the Russian people as their own. At times, the hope we place in Russia and Russian politics may seem to outweigh our faith in our own capabilities. Perhaps that’s a paradox.”
During the meeting, the patriarch recounted a recent conversation with Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem, who reportedly told him: “We Orthodox have one trump card: Vladimir Putin.” Porfirije claimed that those words “say it all.”
He was accompanied in Moscow by a high-ranking delegation from the SOC, including Bishop Irinej of Bačka — known for his close ties to the Russian Orthodox Church — and clergy from the Kovilj Monastery.
Porfirije also noted the strategic nature of Russian backing. “You know very well,” he said to Putin, “that without your support and China’s support, I don’t know what would become of Kosovo. I celebrated Easter there — it is the seat of the Serbian Patriarchate. We ask that you maintain your position and do all that is possible.”
The patriarch’s visit to Moscow came immediately after he spent Easter in the historic Patriarchate of Pec in Kosovo.
Porfirije also conveyed greetings from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and shared that Vučić intends to attend the Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, despite tensions in Europe. “He will come, no matter the circumstances,” the patriarch relayed.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s incoming High Representative for Foreign Affairs, recently warned that regional leaders’ presence at the Moscow commemoration would carry political implications, especially given Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. “Such a move would be taken seriously in the EU,” Kallas said, underscoring that Russia remains engaged in a “full-scale war in Europe.”
In a more politically charged moment during the meeting, Patriarch Porfirije referenced domestic unrest in Serbia. “There is a revolution underway back home,” he told Putin, turning to Bishop Irinej for the right word: “Color revolution.”
“We hope to overcome this ordeal, as you said,” the patriarch told Putin. “Because we know — we feel — that the centers of power in the West do not want the Serbian identity and culture to flourish.”
During the occasion, President Vladimir Putin expressed his expectation that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić would attend the celebrations in Moscow marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II.
“We are aware that the situation in the Balkans is complex, and we recognize your efforts to strengthen Serbia’s position,” Putin said, as reported by RIA Novosti and echoed by pro-government media outlets.
“I have already stated that Russian-Serbian relations have always held a special character, and that remains true today. This is due, among other things, to the strong, deep, and spiritual roots that bind us,” he added.
Putin also emphasized the important role of the Serbian Orthodox Church in fostering closer ties between the two nations.
“I know that the Serbian Orthodox Church plays a significant role in strengthening the relationship between our peoples, who have traditionally maintained the warmest, closest, and most trusting alliance,” he stated.
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