On Monday, September 5, Serbian Patriarch Porfiry presented Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán with the golden degree of the Order of Saint Sava – as a reward for his efforts in defending Christianity in Hungary and throughout Europe, promoting Christian values, as well as because of his personal contribution to the friendship between the Hungarian and Serbian peoples.
At the awarding ceremony, the Serbian Patriarch emphasized that Viktor Orbán is a unique statesman in Europe who “fights for the soul of Europe” and whose words are listened to by other peoples, including the Serbs.
In accepting the award, the Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that he was proud to receive it from his brother, a Serbian Orthodox Christian. “We are peaceful people, we want peace, but there is really a war for the soul of Europe, and without Christian unity – including Orthodoxy – we cannot win this battle,” the prime minister said.
St. Sava was the first archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It awards the distinction in his name to ecclesiastical and secular figures of outstanding merit.
Serbian Patriarch Porfiry wrote on his Facebook page:
“Today at the seat of the Government of Hungary, in the presence of Bishop Irinej Bački, member of the Holy Synod of Bishops, and Metropolitan Luka, Bishop of Budinski, I awarded the Prime Minister of Hungary, Mr. Viktor Orbán, with the highest award of the Serbian Orthodox church – Order of Saint Sava, first degree.
The high award was presented to Mr. Orbán as a sign of gratitude for the affirmation of traditional Christian values, for the selfless support of the Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Buda, and for an outstanding personal contribution to strengthening the friendship between our two neighboring nations.
Worthy!”
Source: hungarytoday.hu
Featured photo: MTI/Miniszterelnöki Sajtóiroda/Fischer Zoltán
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