The head of the Serb National Council (SNV) in Croatia, Milorad Pupovac, congratulated Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb and Ljubljana on his election as the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), saying that with his election the SPC in Croatia would be spiritually strengthened and socially reaffirmed.

“Your Holiness, it is with joy that we received the news of your election as the 46th Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church and your enthronement to the Seat of St. Sava. I say this with joy because what you shared with us Serbs in Croatia as the Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana, you will now share with all the Serbs, and that is the serenity of your soul, the strength of your words and the wisdom of God’s love,” Pupovac said in his letter of congratulations.

“Peace and a peaceful life for all Serbs in the war-torn area of the once common country, reconciliation with all to whom Serbs caused pain and with all who caused pain to Serbs, cooperation with all who are aware that only through cooperation can we be be greater than we are and more free than we are; these are painful and often incomprehensibly great temptations that connect us and that we will continue to share with you,” Pupovac said in his message.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic congratulates Porfirije Peric on his election

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic sent a letter of congratulations to the Archbishop of Pecs, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovac and Patriarch Porfirije Peric on his election as the primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), the government said in a press release.

“It is with pleasure, Your Holiness, that I received the news of your election as the head of the SPC. Your work in Croatia until now has been marked by humane and Christian efforts for dialogue and cooperation which we have conducted over the past few years,” Plenković said in his message.

President of Croatian Bishops’ Conference (HBK) congratulates SPC Patriarch’s election

The HBK President, Zadar Archbishop Zelimir Puljic, congratulated the newly elected Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, underscoring that with his life and work Porfirije has endeavoured to show that church communities can make a huge contribution to society in overcoming tension and in nurturing dialogue.

“I am pleased that this news was positively received not only among the faithful of your former Metropolitanate of Zagreb and Ljubljana but also among the Catholic faithful and people of good will throughout Croatia who have come to know and respect your work and activities in Zagreb and beyond,” Archbishop Puljic said.

Metropolitan Porfirije was elected on Thursday as the 46th Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, succeeding Irinej who died of coronavirus infection in November 2020. The election convention was held at the Church of St. Sava in Belgrade.