On April 22, 2025, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met in the Kremlin with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and His Holiness Patriarch Porfiry of Serbia.
The meeting was also attended by Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations, and Archbishop Irinej of Novosad and Metropolitan of Baca, hierarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Having cordially greeted His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and His Holiness Patriarch Porfiry, the Head of the Russian state congratulated them on the occasion of Easter. In memory of this Holiday, the Serbian Patriarch presented Vladimir Putin with an Easter egg.
During the conversation, the President noted that "Russian-Serbian relations always have a special character, and in our days too," including because "we are connected by strong, deep common spiritual roots," stressing that the Serbian Orthodox Church "makes a significant contribution to strengthening relations between our peoples, which traditionally support the warmest, closest, most trusting allied relations."
Addressing Vladimir Putin with the words of the Easter greeting "Christ is Risen!", His Holiness Patriarch Porfiry of Serbia congratulated him on Easter.
His Holiness noted with gratitude the efforts of the Russian President to preserve traditional values in the lives of nations, emphasizing the importance of the value foundation, largely formed by faith. "Everything depends on faith: How you believe is our life, our words, and so on," said the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
As Patriarch Porfiry noted, both in the past and now, the Russian and Serbian Churches are linked by relations of brotherly love and mutual assistance.
He also stated the commonality with the people of Russia that the Serbian people feel, quoting the words of his predecessor, the ever-memorable Patriarch Irenaeus, who said: "Our little boat, sailing in a troubled sea, must always be tied to the great Russian ship."
The Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church gratefully mentioned Russia's support in matters related to Kosovo and Metohija, the Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the protection of the rights of believers in Montenegro. He also said that on Easter he held a festive divine service in Kosovo at the Peche Patriarchate, the spiritual center and "capital" of the Serbian Church.
His Holiness conveyed greetings from the President of Serbia to the head of the Russian State.
"May God grant you strength and wisdom. Our prayers are always with you, and I hope that the Lord helps you," Patriarch Porfiry said.
He also pointed out the importance of preserving the identity and spiritual culture of the Serbian people in the face of modern challenges.
For his part, Vladimir Putin pointed to the great efforts being made by the Russian Orthodox Church and its Primate, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, "in order to strengthen our traditional values and our spiritual principles." "And whenever we meet, we remember and talk about our Orthodox brothers, this is the position of His Holiness the Patriarch," the President said.
In the continuation of the conversation, Patriarch Kirill stated that of all the Local Orthodox Churches, the Serbian One is closest to the Russian Church in terms of culture, language, and historical path.
Russian Russian Orthodox Church is organically incorporated into the culture of Serbia, the Serbian people," said His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. "For us, these are our closest friends, our brothers, both in spirit and in philosophy of life. This is very important both when we discuss issues together and when we meet at inter-Orthodox venues.… We are always of one mind. And when there are any discussions on inter-Orthodox platforms, you always feel the support of the Serbian Church."
The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church also pointed out that the Serbs and the Serbian Church are practically face to face with the Western world, from which one can receive many useful things, for example, in the scientific field and in the field of culture, but what is happening in the West with morality, with human morality, it is difficult to call anything other than demonic. business.
"Why demonic? Because the demon's task is to make a person lose the difference between good and evil, an alternative to behavior. The church says: you can't do that. And the word of God says the same thing. And modern secular culture declares: "Why not? A person is free to do as he wants, it's just freedom of choice." This approach destroys the moral foundations of human existence, and this can be followed by terrible civilizational disasters. Because if this integrality of the human personality is destroyed, then everything collapses. As you know, the Russian Orthodox Church stands by these positions, and we defend it on international platforms. But, of course, we also need good allies. Of all the Local Orthodox Churches (I am speaking not because His Holiness Patriarch Porfiry is here today, but based on his experience), the Serbian Church is the one that is always with us. And Serbia is a country that has never betrayed Russia. I will not mention other Slavic countries that lost good relations with Russia for a while under the influence of powerful political and military forces. Serbia has always stayed with us. That is why I am very happy about today's meeting," said His Holiness Patriarch Kirill.
He also expressed hope for further development of relations between the Russian and Serbian Churches, Serbia and Russia.
Photo: Gavriil Grigorov, Press Service of the President of Russia