In the presence of several thousand faithful gathered under the domes of the great temple of the Serbian people in Vračar, including the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and senior state officials, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia presided over the annual memorial service on All Souls’ Day for the victims of the tragic accident at the Novi Sad Train Station, as well as for all Orthodox Christians who have passed away through the ages.
At the conclusion of the service, Patriarch Porfirije offered a moving address, saying:
“Today we prayed that the Lord grant the Kingdom of Heaven to Nemanja, Anđela, Sara, Valentina, Đorđe, Milica, Miloš, Stefan, Sanja, Goranka, Vukašin, Mileva, Đura, Vasko, Anja, and Vukašin.
May He also bring comfort and hope in the Resurrection and eternal life to their families, friends, and loved ones. May God grant peace to all of us — the spiritual children of Saint Sava — peace within each of us, peace among us, and the understanding that we need one another.
Only through unity will we preserve the blessing of Saint Sava. Above all, may the Lord grant us wisdom, strength, and determination to become better people, for only then will we all live better together.”
The Patriarch continued: “Our lives can only truly improve when each of us makes a personal effort, guided by God’s law and His love, to grow in goodness. We cannot expect change to come from outside. May the Lord rest the souls of those we remembered today — Nemanja, Anđela, Sara, Valentina, Đorđe, Milica, Miloš, Stefan, Sanja, Goranka, Vukašin, Mileva, Đura, Vasko, Anja, and Vukašin — and grant them eternal life. Eternal memory — may God forgive their souls,” concluded Patriarch Porfirije.
Source: spc.rs
