For decades, the Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Belgrade has preserved a prayerful remembrance of its professors and students who, through their spiritual struggles, theological endeavors, and devout lives, have left an indelible mark on the Church. Their zeal for faith and learning was recognized, and the Lord abundantly rewarded their labors.
The celebration of these saints, who both taught and studied at the Faculty, began with a solemn vigil held in the Chapel of Saint John the Theologian. The service was led by Bishop Ilarion of Novo Brdo, Vicar of the Serbian Patriarch.
On the feast day itself, February 6, 2025, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia presided over the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Bishop Isihije of Valjevo and Bishop Ilarion of Novo Brdo, along with Protopresbyter Dr. Zoran Ranković, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, and a number of clergy, former and current students of the esteemed theological institution.
Following the reading of the Holy Gospel, Bishop Ilarion delivered a sermon, and at the conclusion of the service, the festal offerings were blessed.
Read Patriarch Porfirije’s Homily:
“May the prayers of those who studied and taught here—whom God has glorified as His saints and witnesses of His truth—be with us. Let us follow their path, knowing that the goal of our existence is to strive for perfection, just as our Heavenly Father is perfect.
Theology is not merely another science or an art among many arts; it is the highest of all sciences and the supreme art, encompassing mind, thought, word, and action. Theology is truly realized only when we pray in humility and repentance—only then do our words become truly theological, and only then do we become true theologians.
A genuine theologian is one who offers prayers to the Lord, seeking to be transformed by His presence and grace. This truth is perfectly expressed in the tradition of our Church:
If you wish to be a true theologian, pray in spirit and truth; if you pray in spirit and truth, then you are a true theologian.May the Lord grant us the grace to follow the example of the saints we honor today—those who both studied and taught at this institution—because through their entire lives, they became theologians in the image of the First and Only True Theologian, our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He is the Son of God, as a man He revealed the fullness of truth about God and, at the same time, the fullness of truth about humanity.
May this feast be blessed, and may the prayers of these holy theologians—and of all the saints—be with us, so that together with them, we may glorify the One God in Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Source and photos: Serbian Patriarchate
