Patriarch Porfirije from the Patriarchate of Pec: We pray to the Lord to grant peace to all

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, accompanied by Pastor Mark Burns, spiritual adviser to the President of the United States, arrived this evening at the Patriarchate of Pec, from where he said they pray to the Lord to grant peace, understanding, and brotherly love to all.

"By God's love, we have arrived in Kosovo and Metohija, at our stavropegial lavra, the Patriarchate of Pec. Pastor Mark Burns, spiritual adviser to the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is with us. From the ancient seat of the Serbian patriarchs, we invoke God's blessing upon all people of good will, praying to the Lord to grant peace, understanding, and brotherly love to everyone," Patriarch Porfirije said, according to a statement by the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Porfirije and Pastor Burns were welcomed by Mother Haritina and the sisterhood of the monastery.

Following the ceremonial reception, Patriarch Porfirije and the distinguished guest from the United States venerated the Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God of Pec and the holy relics of Serbian archbishops and patriarchs, which have rested for centuries in the monastery. The monastery is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a masterpiece of Serbian-Byzantine architecture.

Pastor Burns had spent the previous days in Belgrade, from where he traveled to Kosovo together with the Patriarch.

Tomorrow, they are scheduled to visit the Visoki Decani Monastery and other Serbian Orthodox holy sites in Kosovo.