Serbian Patriarch Porfirije consecrated the Church of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Gabriel in Pale, Republika Srpska, on September 26. He then presided over the first Divine Liturgy celebrated in the newly completed church.

The service was attended by Metropolitan Chrysostom of Dabar and Bosnia, Metropolitan Dimitrije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina and the Littoral, Metropolitan Methodius of Budimlja and Nikšić, as well as Bishops John of Pakrac and Slavonia and Hierotheos of Šabac.

President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik also attended the ceremony, along with representatives of Pale’s and East Sarajevo’s public, cultural and political life.

Construction of the church began in 2008, according to the website of the Serbian Orthodox Church. On September 22 of that year, Metropolitan Nikolaj of Dabar and Bosnia consecrated the foundations. Services began being held in the unfinished building in 2015.

The new church stands near the University of East Sarajevo’s faculties of economics, philosophy, law and physical education. It has thus become part of a wider area connecting the spiritual, educational and cultural life of Pale.

The idea for the church emerged during the war in Bosnia. Metropolitan Nikolaj linked the project to Pale’s future development and, in particular, to the spiritual needs of the city’s thousands of students.

In his homily after the consecration, Patriarch Porfirije described the church as a place intended to become a spiritual center for the city. He said it should serve not only as a venue for worship but also as a place that brings people together, nurtures mutual understanding and helps build good relations among different ethnic and religious communities.

“The church of God’s love embraces every person,” the patriarch said, urging believers to remain open to those around them and to build relationships based on friendship and mutual respect.

Patriarch Porfirije also spoke about his personal connection to Republika Srpska. He said important years of his childhood and youth had been spent in the region, and that Orthodox faith and family traditions had influenced his spiritual formation.

He concluded by wishing the people of Pale peace, good health and mutual understanding, and expressing his support for Metropolitan Chrysostom in leading the Dabar and Bosnia Diocese.

On the eve of the consecration, Patriarch Porfirije met with Metropolitan Chrysostom, clergy and members of the faithful. The metropolitan emphasized Pale’s historical importance and thanked the primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church for taking part in the consecration of the new church.