PATRIARCH PORFIRIJE: IF CHRIST IS WITH US, NO ONE CAN HARM US

BANJA LUKA, JANUARY 9 /SRNA/ – His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije has stressed today in Banja Luka that he is pleased to see faith alive in the Serb people, reflected in the construction of new churches, restoration of old ones, and, above all, in the gathering of people within them.

During the Holy Hierarchical Liturgy serving Saint Stephen the First Martyr and Archdeacon, the Patriarch emphasized that everyone should strive to be better to one another, for only then will they honor Saint Sava.

"May Saint Stephen be the intercessor for all the faithful of Republika Srpska who celebrate his name and see him as their protector, and may he serve as a model to emulate, for the saints are the living Gospel of Christ," Patriarch Porfirije said.

He added that by celebrating Christ's birth, we honor the fact that God is with us, and "if He is with us, no one can stand against us".

"The Lord, through His birth, confirms that He is on our side. Each person knows their own soul and life in their heart. We only need to seek divine help, which expresses our awareness that we need it and is a true expression of our faith," the Patriarch explained.

Patriarch Porfirije stressed that each of us stands before God, because He is our faith.

"Saint Stephen identified with Christ, which reflects a human need from the earliest days, as children often identify with their parents. We pray for all, even those who oppose us. Let us extend our hands to one another, showing that we are one people, one faith, and one church," Patriarch Porfirije said.

Following the liturgy, the traditional breaking of the Slava cake was held.

The Holy Hierarchical Liturgy was attended by Republika Srpska National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, Acting President Ana Trišić-Babić, Prime Minister Savo Minić, and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik.

Among the large congregation of faithful were also ministers from the governments of Republika Srpska and Serbia, as well as one of the closest associates of the US President and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.