# Serbian Orthodox Church response to Ratko Mladić death > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serbian-orthodox-church-response-to-ratko-mladi-death > Updated: 2026-09-11T07:21:21.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. Following the death of Ratko Mladić on August 27 while serving a life sentence, Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church led a funeral service at the Church of St. Luke in Kosutnjak. During the service, the Patriarch described Mladić as a soldier and commander who led his people through a “difficult and tragic time,” stating his name would remain “deeply woven into the memory and prayers of the largest part of the Serbian Orthodox people.” Mladić’s funeral has sparked significant backlash and a shift in the public perception of Patriarch Porfirije. Previously viewed as a moderate, cosmopolitan intellectual and peace-builder during his tenure as Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana, the Patriarch is now being criticized for aligning with hardline nationalism. Critics argue that by using religious language to frame a convicted war criminal as a defender of his people, he has abandoned his former role as a bridge-builder. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Patriarch Porfirije faces backlash over Ratko Mladić funeral Patriarch Porfirije Perić faces criticism as his former reputation as a moderate, urban intellectual in Zagreb contrasts with his recent support for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patriarch-porfirije-faces-backlash-over-ratko-mladi-funeral ### 2026-09-06: Patriarch Porfirije leads funeral service for Ratko Mladić Patriarch Porfirije led the funeral service for former commander Ratko Mladić at St. Luke Church in Belgrade. Mladić will be buried at Topčider Cemetery. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/patriarch-porfirije-leads-funeral-service-for-ratko-mladi --- Cite as: Serbian Orthodox Church response to Ratko Mladić death. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serbian-orthodox-church-response-to-ratko-mladi-death