Canberra, October 14, 2026
Photo: spc.rs
His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia was received with full honors at the Parliament of Australia in Canberra on Monday, October 12, where the speaker of the House of Representatives called it an immense honor to greet him in the “House of Australian democracy.”
The Patriarch arrived in Australia on October 7 for a 10-day pastoral visit. On Sunday, October 11, he consecrated the Church of St. Stephen the Archdeacon in Keysborough, Melbourne.
Speaker Milton Dick said His Holiness has long been known as someone deeply committed to helping young people, not only in his own community but around the world, and that the visit carries great significance for the Serbian community in Australia, reports the Serbian Orthodox Church.
“The Serbian community in Australia is highly respected and has been part of our country’s history for generations… Australia and Serbia are celebrating 60 years of firm friendship and diplomatic relations. Serbs in Australia have contributed remarkably to social, cultural, economic and civic life,” Dick said.
Ambassador Stefanović noted that Patriarch Porfirije’s visit is the third by a Serbian primate to Australia, following his predecessors Patriarchs Pavle (2004) and Irinej (2016).
“Your message of peace, dialogue and mutual understanding resonates deeply within this multicultural nation. In a world facing complex challenges, your leadership reminds us of the universal values humanity recognizes through faith and culture,” Stefanović said.
Patriarch Porfirije thanked the Australian state for giving many Serbs the chance to make a home there.
“I realized that Serbs here aren’t strangers. They feel at home here, but they haven’t forgotten where they came from. They’re part of this community, and not by chance, but because of the love and openness of this country and its people,” Patriarch Porfirije said, inviting his hosts to visit Serbia.
At the close of the welcome, Alex Antic, senator for South Australia and deputy chair of the Serbian Friendship Group, who has Serbian roots himself, also greeted the Patriarch.
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