Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia presided over the Divine Liturgy on June 28, 2026, marking Vidovdan and the feast of Saint Lazar of Kosovo, at the Monastery of Ravanica.
Concelebrating with him were Metropolitan Ignatije of Braničevo, along with clergy and monastics from several dioceses of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
In his homily, the Patriarch stressed that faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christian life.
“Faith is the foundation of our life—not faith in an idea or ideology, but faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is not merely an opinion, but a way of life and trust in the God of love,” he said.
Reflecting on the legacy of Saint Prince Lazar, Patriarch Porfirije noted that the significance of his choice extends far beyond a historical event or a national memory.
“For the Church, the Kosovo Covenant is linked to the New Covenant in Christ. It is a Gospel-centered commitment and a response to Christ’s call to seek first the Kingdom of God,” he said.
The Patriarch emphasized that Saint Lazar did not choose an earthly kingdom or death itself, but eternal life through faithfulness to Christ.
“He chose trust in Christ, who has already won the victory for us. He accepted the Cross, knowing that without the Cross there is no Resurrection,” Patriarch Porfirije said.
Concluding his message, he underlined the enduring relevance of Vidovdan for Christians today.
“Vidovdan is not a cult of the past, nor a day of retreat into history. It invites us to examine our own lives and choices. Every generation has its own Kosovo, and each of us faces a personal choice between what is temporary and what is eternal, between selfishness and love, between fear and trust in God,” he said.
Source: Serbian Orthodox Church
