Orthodox Christianity is a fundamental part of the identity of Serbs living outside Serbia, but preserving their faith should not mean withdrawing from wider society, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said in an interview with the Hram television channel.

“Christ must be at the center of our lives and unite us,” Porfirije said following his visit to Ljubljana, where the Serbian Orthodox Church marked the 90th anniversary of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

Speaking about the lives of Orthodox Christians abroad, the patriarch said a strong connection to one’s religious and cultural tradition can coexist with openness toward the surrounding society. He said Orthodox communities should not only embrace the cultural and spiritual achievements of their countries of residence, but also contribute their own traditions and experience.

“We came here, as everywhere, to be who we are, and above all, Orthodox Christians. This is the foundation of our identity,” Porfirije said.

The patriarch also expressed gratitude to the Catholic Church in Slovenia for its longstanding support of the Orthodox community. He noted that Catholic parishes had made their churches available to Orthodox priests and worshippers in areas where Serbian Orthodox communities did not yet have their own facilities.

Porfirije highlighted what he described as positive relations between Orthodox and Catholic Christians in Slovenia. He cited the example of Bishop Andrej Saje of Novo Mesto, who, according to the patriarch, supported the Serbian community in acquiring land for a new Orthodox church and made the first financial contribution to the project.

The patriarch said the Church’s role is to remain close to its faithful and understand their spiritual and personal needs. Communication and mutual respect, he said, allow different communities to preserve their distinct identities while also becoming part of a shared society.

The Serbian Orthodox Church has maintained a presence in Slovenia for many years, with Orthodox churches and parishes operating across the country. The community is also continuing to develop its religious infrastructure.

The anniversary of the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius was the central event of Porfirije’s visit to Ljubljana. He said the example of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who carried their Christian mission beyond the boundaries of their own people and language, remains relevant for Christians living in increasingly multicultural and multiconfessional societies.