Head of Serbian Orthodox Church Tests Positive for Virus

Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Porfirije performs the traditional Divine Liturgy in the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. Orthodox believers in Serbia celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

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By Associated Press

January 11, 2022 at 9:52 AM UTC

Updated on

January 11, 2022 at 2:51 PM UTC

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Belgrade, Serbia (AP) -- Patriarch Porfirije, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, has tested positive for COVID-19, the church said Tuesday, amid a surge in infections in the country and elsewhere in the Balkan region.

Porfirije has developed “very mild symptoms of the virus infection” and remains in home isolation, said the statement. It added that Porfirije is carrying out administrative duties entirely without problems.