On the afternoon of January 8, 2026, Patriarch Porfirije, Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, arrived in Banja Luka, where he was warmly welcomed by Metropolitan Jefrem of Banja Luka.
During his visit, Patriarch Porfirije is scheduled to attend a ceremonial academy this evening at the Borik Hall on the occasion of the Day of Republika Srpska.
On Friday, the feast of Saint Stephen the Archdeacon, Patriarch Porfirije will preside over the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Banja Luka, beginning at 9:00 a.m. A formal reception for the Serbian Patriarch will take place in front of the Cathedral at 8:30 a.m., ahead of the liturgical celebration.
The visit highlights the close spiritual ties and mutual respect between the hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the faithful of the region.
