Patriarch Porfirije: No one can keep the Church in the pocket
Patriarch Porfirije is convinced that the Church is above party divisions. Photo: bbc.com
No one should think that the Church can be “kept in the pocket” and used for personal needs, said the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije, in a New Year interview for Serbia's central television channel RTS.
“Many people do not listen to the word of Christ, the word of the Gospel, and sometimes they would like to use the Church in the context of their personal goals, but no one can keep the Church in their pocket and use it as a joker when they need it,” the Patriarch warned.
He noted that there is one fundamental problem: many people do not understand that the Church embraces the whole, it addresses its entire people.
“It embraces both nature and all creation, and the most serious betrayal of the spirit of the Church is the comparison with some part or party. The word “Church” means a council that embraces everything,” said the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Earlier, the Primate of the UOC stated that there are attempts to drag the Church into the format of a political party.
Read also
Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing
People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.
Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended
The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.
Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture
Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.
Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy
According to the Greek theologian, "many Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers have been hesitant to leave the church under the Moscow Patriarchate and join the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics."
OCU cleric blames TRC for forced mobilization and kidnapping of parishioners
It is reported that the mobilized person was helping with repair work in the church.
Greek theologian explains why Churches do not accuse ROC Primate of heresy
A professor from the University of Athens explained why no Orthodox Church had condemned Patriarch Kirill as heretic so far.