On December 18, 2025, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia formally received Mr. Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia, at the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade during the latter’s official visit to Serbia.
“No moment is more joyful than when brothers meet, especially in a sacred place like the Church of Saint Sava,” the Patriarch said, greeting President Kavelashvili.
The Patriarch emphasized that the church was built through the prayers and century-long labor of many well-intentioned people, as well as the contribution of the Serbian state. This demonstrates that there is no artificial division or distance between the state and the people, who, in essence, are the church.
“All of this is the same, regardless of the, at the very least, erroneous analyses and interpretations of the modern and postmodern mind. This is the case for us and for you because at the foundation of our shared heritage lies faith in God, faith in Christ, faith in God’s love for all people, and faith that we are all created to be brothers. This faith was instilled in our people by Saint Sava and in your people by Saint Nina, who are commemorated on the same day in the Orthodox calendar.”
Stressing that the Serbian and Georgian peoples share a common spiritual experience, the Patriarch added, “At our core, we are one people of Christ and one church. The Orthodox faith has shaped us all, and we uphold the same system of values. Despite our geographical distance, we are brothers and sisters, and love is the meaning of our lives. We know who we are and wish to remain true to ourselves while respecting all differences. We regard no one as our enemy but see everyone as children of God and our brothers, regardless of how they may view us. We will always walk this path.”
Patriarch Porphyrios also recalled meeting with representatives of eight Orthodox churches and bishops from Georgia in recent days.
“We love your Patriarch. From the depths of our hearts, we pray to God for him, for your people, and for peace, harmony, and all that is good among you. We know that you do the same for us. May the Lord bless you in these difficult times with the hope that good will prevail.”
After visiting the national and pilgrimage church of the Serbian people, the conversation continued at the Saint Sava House. There, the profound spiritual and historical closeness between the Serbian and Georgian peoples, as well as their shared Orthodox tradition, was emphasized once again. The interlocutors underscored the importance of mutual understanding, unity, and cooperation, especially in the contemporary social context marked by numerous global challenges. They highlighted the role of the Church and spiritual values in preserving identity and peace among peoples.
