On 25 April 2025, in the grand hall of the Moscow Theological Academy, a solemn ceremony was held to award an honorary doctorate from this renowned theological institution to His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije.
In the presence of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia kyr Kirill, the ceremony was opened by the Rector of the Moscow Theological Academy, His Grace Bishop of Sergiev Posad and Dmitrov kyr Kirill, who emphasized: “In the contemporary world, where people's minds and hearts are constantly subjected to information attacks, often of an anti-Christian nature, religious theological thought is being revived in both Russia and Serbia for the benefit of our peoples, who are united by a thousand-year history and who cherish the memory of their ancestors. Both Russian and Serbian students of theological schools are called to convey to the minds of our contemporaries the highest truths of Christian morality, respect for the sacraments of the Church, and the importance of fulfilling Christ’s commandments.” He noted that students from the Serbian Orthodox Church traditionally make up a very significant portion of the foreign students at the main theological schools of the Russian Orthodox Church — the Moscow Theological Academy and the St. Petersburg Theological Academy.
The formal announcement then followed, declaring the decision to confer the honorary doctorate in theology upon His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije “for his recognized scholarly and educational contributions to the development of theology and the strengthening of ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church.” The diploma for this academic title was presented to the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church by His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia kyr Kirill.
“With deep respect, gratitude, and humility, I receive this extraordinary honor — the honorary doctorate awarded to me by the famed and respected Moscow Theological Academy at the Holy Trinity–St. Sergius Lavra. I see this recognition as one of the most significant milestones on the path of my many years of theological and scholarly research work, as well as in my pedagogical and educational service,” said Patriarch Porfirije.
Thanking His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije for his substantial address, the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church emphasized how important it is for words demanding not only spiritual reflection but also intellectual inquiry to be heard within the walls of theological schools. In his further remarks, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the challenges affecting religious consciousness, beginning from the era of the Renaissance and Baroque, through the Modern Age, and up to recent historical periods. Even then, the prevailing view was that a priest could not avoid being a philosopher — that is, someone who contemplates what is most important in life, who poses (both to himself and to others) profound questions. He must be prepared to answer those who ask such questions, and not only them but also those who might attempt to challenge certain claims or discuss given topics, including followers of various philosophical schools and tendencies. Every clergyman must be a thinker to the extent that his gifts and talents allow. Highlighting that a pastor’s words must correspond to current events and challenges, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia kyr Kirill stated:
“Of course, this does not mean that we should boast about or pride ourselves on some modern knowledge or appropriate someone else’s linguistic style. Absolutely not! We must speak in our own language, use our own concepts, but it is essential to frame what we speak about today in such a way that our words genuinely bring about a change of consciousness in people, strengthen their faith, and nurture virtues in the highest sense of the word — and, if you will, help create a philosophy of the contemporary Orthodox person in our land. Pastoral preaching must aim to assist the modern man, to help him become aware of and recognize the problems that stand before him.”
In this context, His Holiness reminded everyone — starting from students, teachers, professors, clergy, bishops, and even the patriarch himself — of the importance of asking questions: Is everything truly as it appears? Is it right? What else needs to be done? “I am not sure how accurate the answers we give to these questions are, nor how much they can truly impact the proper development of church life, but I deeply believe that without posing such questions, we will too quickly and easily become like a withered fig tree. Outwardly everything will appear polished, but inwardly, in essence, there will be nothing,” he said. At the end of his address, His Holiness Patriarch kyr Kirill concluded: “I am very pleased to be here today in this room together with my beloved brother, who heads the fraternal Serbian Orthodox Church. May the Lord help all of us — in Russia, Serbia, and in other countries — to be able to respond to these questions, these challenges, and the dangers facing the Church of God today.”
The solemn event was attended by members of the delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church: Archbishop of Novi Sad and Metropolitan of Bačka kyr Irinej, Archimandrite Hariton, Hegumen of the Kovilj Monastery; Protopresbyter Đorđe Stojsavljević, Head of the Cabinet of the Serbian Patriarch; Protodeacon Radomir Vrućinić, Rector of the Saint Sava Seminary in Belgrade; Protodeacon Radojica Žagran; Hierodeacon Justin, a monk of Kovilj Monastery; Deacon Ivan Vasiljević; and Subdeacons Dejan Nakić and Vladimir Jelić.
Among those present at the ceremony were also: Metropolitan of Voskresensk kyr Grigory, Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchate and First Vicar of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia for the City of Moscow; Archbishop of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk kyr Thomas, Head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate; Protopresbyter Nikolai Balashov, Advisor to His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; Protopresbyter Igor Yakimchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations; Hegumen Theophan, Head of the Protocol Sector of the Department for External Church Relations; Andrey Y. Koshev, Officer of the Secretariat of the Department for External Church Relations for Inter-Orthodox Relations; staff of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Moscow; as well as faculty and students of the Moscow Theological Academy.
Source: Official website of the Serbian Orthodox Church
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