Serbian Patriarch: Self-Destruction on Highways Presented as Virtue | Beta Briefing

Serbian Patriarch: Self-Destruction on Highways Presented as Virtue

Source: Beta
Archive / News | 06.01.22 | access_time 12:21

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/DS)

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije has said he wishes his people to “be prolific, that babies be born and we grow larger in numbers, to be creative and progressive, that we live in joy and cherish and help each other rather than beat each other with sticks in the streets.”

“What to expect from the patriarch or any Christian? Simply, biblical wisdom reflected in the words of mother Jevrosima: ‘...evil will bring no good’ is a good comment on self-destruction on highways, bridges and crossroads which has been represented as the utmost virtue. I shall not a bit change my appeal for peace, love, even more, for a civilization of love. Herein, I insist on a permanent dialogue which will bring peace,” Patriarch Porfirije told the Jan. 6 issue of Belgrade daily Politika commenting on his recent message in relation to protests in Serbia, which has been interpreted by some as his support to the regime.

Speaking of Serb casualties in the past wars, the patriarch noted that some seemed to highly regret the fact that “the Serbs were not killing each other in the last war.” “It appears that a reason has been sought to make up for this at all costs. And how many Serbs were slain by the Serbs in the 20th century,” Patriarch Porfirije noted.  


He further said that “certain media outlets resemble a Procrustean bed and journalists Procrustes himself. In Greek mythology, Procrustes was a robber who lived near the city of Eleusis. He invited travelers to spend the night, offering them his hospitality and then he would tie them to an iron bed. If they were shorter than the bed, he would stretch them on a rack until they were as long as the bed. If the guests were taller than the bed, he would cut off their legs until they fit. 

“So, if someone’s position does not fit in the current assigned reality dictated by a certain media outlet, then it gets worse for the reality, and the words uttered will either be torn apart or cut off in order to make them fit in the desired ideological context. And such a Procrustean media policy generates street violence. For the responsibility we all have for everyone, we must admit this to each other,” Patriarch Porfirije stressed.  

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