Porfirije, Serbian Patriarch in the context of "Serbian Orthodox"

The Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC; Serbian: Српска православна црква, СПЦ, Srpska pravoslavna crkva, SPC) is one of the autocephalous (ecclesiastically independent) Eastern Orthodox Christian churches.

The majority of the population in Serbia, Montenegro and Republika Srpska of Bosnia and Herzegovina are baptised members of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is organized into metropolitanates and eparchies, located primarily in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia. Other congregations are located in the Serb diaspora. The Serbian Patriarch serves as first among equals in his church. The current patriarch is Porfirije, enthroned on 19 February 2021.

The Council of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, also known in English as the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church (Serbian: Свети архијерејски сабор Српске православне цркве, romanized: Sveti arhijerejski sabor Srpske pravoslavne crkve) serves by Church constitution as the supreme body of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is the supreme organ of the legislative authority of the Church in matters of faith, worship, church order or church discipline, and the internal organization of the Church. It is also the highest judicial authority in its jurisdiction. It is convened annually in May. In case of emergency, it can also be summoned at any other time.

The Bishops' Council consists of all diocesan bishops and the Patriarch, Porfirije, who serves as the chairman. Its decisions are recognized as valid if, at their adoption, more than half of the diocesan bishops are present at the meeting of the council. Only they can take part in voting on a particular issue. With an equal number of votes, the voice of the Patriarch is decisive.