Der Serbisch-Orthodoxe Patriarch Porfirije als „Brückenbauer“

Abstract

The article offers a portrait of Porfirije (Perić), the new patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, elected in February 2021. Based on Porfirije’s own writings, he is characterized first and foremost as a “builder of bridges” in various senses and contexts of dialogue, concerning ecumenical, but also inter-religious and inter-ethnic dialogue. This corresponds with his conscious self-identification and interpretation of his role as a Christian and as an Orthodox bishop. Main sketches of this image already became visible during Porfirije’s time as Orthodox metropolitan of Zagreb, a position he took over by 2014. Historical burdens from the complex history of the territory of former Yugoslavia form multiple challenges to the conciliatory approach of Porfirije. The Serbian patriarch devotes particular attention to the relationship with the Roman Catholic Church, in Croatia and beyond.