On September 10, 2024, Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church welcomed a delegation from the Coptic Orthodox Church of the United States at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade. The delegation was led by Metropolitan Serapion of Southern California and Hawaii, accompanied by auxiliary bishops Abraham and Cyril.

Metropolitan Serapion expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and mentioned that this was his first visit to Serbia. The delegation visited several significant religious sites, including the Saint Sava Church, the Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel, and the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church. During the visit, Metropolitan Serapion emphasized the spiritual bond between the Serbian and Coptic churches, noting that both have faced trials throughout their histories. He also thanked Patriarch Porfirije for his testimony of Christian love and support.

In response, Patriarch Porfirije thanked the Coptic guests and reaffirmed the spiritual kinship between the two churches, acknowledging their shared historical experiences. He highlighted that enduring trials is a central part of the Christian path and praised the Coptic Church's presence in the Western world, where its ancient spiritual tradition can be introduced to a broader audience.

The ancient Coptic Orthodox Church, with over twelve million members, is primarily based in Egypt. In the United States, approximately 600,000 Copts reside. The Coptic Church began establishing its presence in the U.S. in the late 1940s, with Saint Mark's Cathedral in Jersey City being the first Coptic church built in the late 1960s. In 1995, Patriarch Shenouda III established the first U.S. dioceses, appointing metropolitans for Los Angeles and the Southern states, and founding the first monastery—Saint Anthony's Monastery in California, where Metropolitan Serapion currently serves as abbot.

Photo: Serbian Patriarchate Press Service