In mid-July last year, Peric succeeded the long-standing Metropolitan Jovan Pavlovic, who died on 3 April at the age of 78.
Christ did not come to rule but to serve and to serve is the only right way to exist and to prove oneself as a human being, Metropolitan Porfirije said in his sermon, wishing Orthodox Christians all the best for Christmas, which they celebrate on January 7, by saying "Peace be with you, Christ is born!"