Story perspectives

Serbian Patriarch Meets Putin Amid Church Controversies

11/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in April.
The meeting followed concerns about the Russian Orthodox Church's influence in the United States.
Lobbyists from the Serbian Orthodox Church lobby U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and Congress, alleging Ukrainian Orthodox Church religious freedom violations.
Ukraine banned the Russian Orthodox Church for supporting Russia's aggression, drawing criticism from human rights advocates and organizations.

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Story summary

Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in April.
The meeting followed concerns about the Russian Orthodox Church's influence in the United States.
Lobbyists from the Serbian Orthodox Church lobby U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and Congress, alleging Ukrainian Orthodox Church religious freedom violations.
Ukraine banned the Russian Orthodox Church for supporting Russia's aggression, drawing criticism from human rights advocates and organizations.