His Eminence Archbishop Michael Meets with Serbian Patriarch Porfirije During St. Nikolai Pilgrimage
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije at the St. Sava Cathedral in Belgrade for the feast of Ss. Constantine and Helen.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Holiness hosted His Eminence and the clergy and faithful traveling with him at the parish house for a reception.
Archbishop Michael is currently in Serbia for a pilgrimage sponsored by St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, which traces the life, ministry, and legacy of Saint Nikolai Velimirovich, who spent the final years of his life at St. Tikhon’s Seminary in South Canaan, PA, where he served as professor and rector.
His Eminence expressed his gratitude for the blessing to concelebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church and conveyed the personal greetings of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon. He also spoke with His Holiness about the pilgrimage, “In the Footsteps of Holy Bishop Nikolai Velimirovich,” taking place from June 2–13, 2026, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the repose of St. Nikolai Velimirovich.
During the reception, His Eminence also spoke about the steady growth of Orthodox Christianity in North America. His Holiness and His Eminence emphasized the common calling of Orthodox Christians to bear authentic witness to the Gospel of Christ, and noted that dialogue marked by truth and love remains one of the most important expressions of that witness.
Also present at the meeting were Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon’s Seminary, Archpriest Danilo Degyansky, Archpriest John Vitko, Archpriest Josiah Trenham, Protodeacon Ephrem Rivers, Protopresbyter Đorđe Stojisavljević, Head of the Office of the Serbian Patriarch, Deacon Nikola Kostić, Secretary of the Patriarch’s Office, Deacon Vladimir Jović, and Mr. Boris Sekulić.