On June 23, 2024, the feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije celebrated the Divine Liturgy and performed the great consecration of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Hamburg. The Serbian Church's official website reported this event.
Joining Patriarch Porfirije were Metropolitan Grigorije of Germany, Metropolitan Nikodim of Dalmatia, Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, Bishop Jovan of Pakrac-Slavonia, Bishop Sergije of Bihać-Petrovac, and Bishop Jovan of Hum. The service was attended by many faithful, and during the liturgy, Archpriest Siniša Vujastinović was granted the right to wear the pectoral cross.
Patriarch Porfirije arrived in the Düsseldorf-German Diocese on June 21. The consecration of St. Michael’s Church was the highlight of his visit to Germany, according to the Serbian Church’s website.
In his address, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized the importance of bearing witness to Christ’s name, especially when living abroad: "Here, far from our homeland, it is important not only to accumulate material wealth but also to live in Christ, to fully integrate into the local community, and to be open to those we interact with. Faith and love should be a bridge that enriches both us and those around us."
He also highlighted the joy and peace that unity in Christ brings: "When we gather in Christ, as we have today, our souls are filled with joy and tranquility. There is no fear, no sense of loneliness. Living in Germany, it is essential to come together in God’s house to overcome any trials. When our roots are in Christ, we are at home wherever we may be."
The liturgical life of the Serbian Church in Hamburg began in 1951. The parish dedicated to St. Michael was established in 1958. The community now owns a building purchased from the Free Evangelical Church. The minor consecration of the church took place in 2000, and the consecration of the iconostasis occurred in 2013.