‘Russia comes first,’ says Serbian Orthodox leader
January 07, 2016
Relations with Russia take precedence over relations with the European Union and the United States, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church said in an interview.
Patriarch Irinej told Sputnik, a news agency operated by the Russian government, that “our relations with Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church are those of two brotherly, same-blood, same-faith people.”
“We want friendly relations with everyone who wants it too, with Europe, with America, with Russia above all, but if those interests are conflicting and raising questions, there is no dilemma for us,” he added. “Russia comes first.”
Serbia, a nation of 7.2 million people, is 85% Orthodox, 6% Catholic, and 3% Muslim.
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