Patriarch Porfirije opens restored Holy Trinity Cathedral in Croatia
Destroyed during the wars in Yugoslavia, the cathedral has now been reopened after restoration and once again serves as a place of prayer for the Serbian faithful of Slavonia.
On September 7, 2025, the solemn opening and consecration of the restored Holy Trinity Cathedral took place in the town of Pakrac (Slavonia, Croatia). The Divine Service was led by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, concelebrating with hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church and representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches, according to the Serbian Church’s press service.
The celebration brought together bishops from several Orthodox jurisdictions: Archbishop Nektarios of Antidona (Jerusalem Patriarchate), Metropolitan Ignatios of Dimitrias and Almyros (Church of Greece), Metropolitan Georgios of Michaloupolis and Košice (Orthodox Church of the Czech Lands and Slovakia), as well as hierarchs of the Serbian Church.
The Holy Trinity Cathedral has a history of more than 280 years, but was almost completely destroyed during the civil war in Yugoslavia (1991–1995). Its restoration and consecration have become an important event and a great joy for the Orthodox Serbs of Slavonia, who—despite wars and hardships—have preserved their faith and their bond with their native land.
Addressing the gathered faithful, Patriarch Porfirije called on believers to come to Pakrac in prayer and glorify the Holy Trinity:
“The Church in Pakrac bears witness to the Cross, but also to the Resurrection. Although it was not simply wounded, today it reminds us that God is the Lord of history, and that He is Love.”
Immediately after the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch met with Serbian faithful of the Slavonian Eparchy and offered them words of encouragement.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that on the Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, the Serbian Patriarch reminded the faithful of the importance of caring for one’s neighbor and called for social responsibility.
