> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://uoj.news/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Serbian Patriarch Porfirije Welcomed at the Australian Parliament
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/serbian-patriarch-porfirije-welcomed-at-the-australian-parliament/
- Published: 2026-10-15T15:43:45.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-15T17:06:00.000Z
- Description: Patr. Porfirije consecrates a church and meets Australian parliamentarians and Serbian diplomatic officials during his visit to Australia.
- Author: Victor Boldewskul Jr.
- Tags: Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, Australia, Serbian Orthodox Church, #Category: News

**KEYSBOROUGH, AUSTRALIA —** Serbian Patr. Porfirije was received at the Australian Parliament in Canberra on [October 13](https://spc.rs/sr/news/aktuelno/18031.patrijarh-porfirije-svecano-docekan-u-parlamentu-australije-i-ambasadi-republike-srbije.html) during His Holiness' visit to the Serbian Orthodox community in Australia. Milton Dick, speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, welcomed the Patriarch and highlighted the contributions of the Serbian community to Australian life. Tanya Lawerence, member of Parliament and Chair of the Friendship Group with Serbs also praised the Serbian community’s contributions. 

The Patriarch was also welcomed at the Serbian Embassy where he was greeted by the Serbian Ambassador Rade Stefanovic and embassy staff. The meeting emphasized the embassy’s support of the Serbian Orthodox community and its role in preserving relations between Serbia and its diaspora. The visit took place as Australia and Serbia marked 60 years of diplomatic relations, underscoring the longstanding relations between the two countries and the importance of preserving Serbian traditions among Serbs living abroad.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/10/DST_6996-1-scaled-1.jpg)On this topicSerbian Patr. Porfirije Warns Persecution Threatens Palestine’s Christian Presence](https://uoj.news/news/serbian-patr-porfirije-warns-persecution-threatens-palestines-christian-presence/)

As reported by the Serbian Patriarchate, the visit also saw the consecration of the [Church of St. Archdeacon Stephen](https://spc.rs/sr/news/aktuelno/18011.patrijarh-porfirije-sa-arhijerejima-osvetio-hram-svetog-arhidakona-stefana-u-kizboriju.html) in Keysborough, near Melbourne. Built in 1994 through the efforts of the Serbian Orthodox community, the church brought together hierarchs, clergy, and many worshippers for the consecration and Divine Liturgy. The service included three choirs, including the church choir, the choir “Steven Mokranjac” and the Russian Orthodox Men’s Choir. Patr. Porfirije spoke on the importance of keeping the faith and cultural identity across foreign land, highlighting the shared Christian faith that united communities. 

Serbian Metropolitan Silouan of Australia and New Zealand thanked the Patriarch for his visit, as well as for his fatherly love, joy, and consecration of the church given to the community. Australian officials congratulated the community on the consecration, recognizing the enduring contribution Serbians have had on Australian society. 

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/patr-porfirije-hosts-trumps-spiritual-advisor-in-serbia-and-kosovo/) that Patr. Porfirije met with President Trump's spiritual advisor.