Serbian Patriarch Porfirije has concluded his canonical visit to Australia, which took place from October 7 to 19 and included visits to Serbian Orthodox communities, churches, monasteries and educational institutions across the country.

The final stop of the patriarch’s visit was the Church of the Holy Prince Lazar in Sydney, according to the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC).

One of the highlights of the visit was the consecration of the Chapel of the Nativity of Christ at St Sava College in Warriewood, a suburb of Sydney. The ceremony took place on October 17 and was attended by several SOC bishops, clergy, students, parents and teachers. A fragment of the relics of St Stefan Dečanski, a Serbian king and saint, was placed in the chapel’s altar.

The following day, Patriarch Porfirije celebrated the Divine Liturgy and blessed the cornerstone of a new college building. Addressing those gathered, he emphasized the importance of an education founded not only on knowledge but also on faith, love and compassion.

St Sava College opened in 2021 with approximately 20 students. It now has around 300 pupils and plays an important role in helping the Serbian community in Australia preserve its native language, culture and traditions.

During his stay, the patriarch also visited Melbourne and Canberra. On October 14, he presided over a feast-day Divine Liturgy at the New Kalenic Monastery near the Australian capital, marking the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.

In Sydney, Patriarch Porfirije visited St George Cathedral and St Stephen’s parish. The latter organized a fundraising campaign to support Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. He also visited the St Simeon the Myrrh-streaming Aged Care Home, which has operated under the parish since 1988.

At the concluding gathering at the Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, the patriarch thanked Australian Serbs for organizing his visit and praised the local church community for its role in preserving the Orthodox faith and Serbian national identity.

He stressed that churches and educational institutions help the Serbian diaspora pass on its native language, cultural heritage and traditional values to younger generations. Patriarch Porfirije also expressed hope that the experience of St Sava College would serve as a model for establishing similar educational institutions in other parts of Australia with Serbian communities.

The closing event featured performances by the Lazarica church choir and the Lazarikon ethnic ensemble. Parish representatives also presented the work of the local Sunday school, which is attended by more than 130 students this year.

The visit highlighted the role of the Serbian Orthodox Church and community-run educational institutions in maintaining the religious and cultural identity of Serbian Australians while strengthening ties between the diaspora and its spiritual heritage.