Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia meets with Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia

His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia met with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, Mr. Ivan Stoilkovic. During this significant meeting, which took place in Belgrade, Mr. Stojilkovic presented the Patriarch with the highest award, the «St. Sava’s Letter,» expressing the deep gratitude and respect of the Serbian community of North Macedonia for the Patriarch’s contribution to the life of the Orthodox people.

According to Orthodox Times, the meeting took place on February 26, 2026, at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade. On behalf of the Serbian community of North Macedonia, Mr. Stoilkovic presented the Patriarch with the «St. Sava’s Certificate» — the highest award conferred by this community on the occasion of the Feast of St. Sava.

«With this act, the Serbs of North Macedonia express their deepest respect and profound gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije for everything he does for the benefit of the Serbian Orthodox people, and especially for those living in North Macedonia,» said Mr. Stojilkovic. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia emphasized that for centuries the Serbian Church has been the cornerstone of the spiritual, cultural and national identity of all Serbs.

The interlocutors unanimously concluded that church unity and conciliarity, as a common aspiration, are most authentically manifested and confirmed through mutual love, respect and fraternal relations between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Macedonian Orthodox Church — Archdiocese of Ohrid. They also emphasized that the spirit of St. Sava remains a faithful guide and spiritual compass in the face of modern challenges.

Earlier, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia met with the Apostolic Nuncio in Slovenia and the Apostolic Delegate for Kosovo and Metohija. During the talks, His Holiness informed the Vatican representative in detail about the difficult situation in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as about the numerous challenges that the Serbian people and the Serbian Orthodox Church face on a daily basis. Particular attention was paid to human rights violations, including the denial of free movement to the Patriarch, and attempts to distort historical and cultural heritage.