On January 19, 2026, the feast of Theophany according to the Old Calendar, Porfirije, Patriarch of Serbia, presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Temple of Saint Sava, where he delivered a profound sermon on the meaning of the great feast of the Lord.
Addressing the faithful, the Serbian Patriarch emphasized that Theophany marks the fulfillment of humanity’s deepest hope: “Brothers and sisters, we are filled with the grace of God and with joy, because what the human race awaited throughout history, what it prayed for, what the prophets proclaimed, and what the chosen people of God preserved as a covenant, has today been fulfilled. Today God has appeared, and today we celebrate Theophany.”
Reflecting on the Gospel reading, Patriarch Porfirije underlined that Theophany is the revelation of God as Holy Trinity: “Today God is manifested and revealed as Trinity. The Son of God is baptized, the heavens are opened, and a voice is heard from heaven confirming it: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!’ Do what He tells you to do. If you love Him, fulfill His law and His commandments.”
He stressed that adherence to Christ’s word is the path to true life: “Hold fast to His word, because it is the path of salvation, the path of joy, the path of fullness, the path of beauty, and the path of peace—peace with God, peace within ourselves, and peace with other people.”
Quoting the Apostle Paul and the Evangelist John, the Patriarch explained the mystery of Christ and the Holy Spirit revealed at the Jordan: “He is the radiance of the Father’s glory and the very image of His being… the Son of the Father’s love, through whom all things were made. And the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father. Thus we hear: ‘This is My beloved Son,’ and then the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove, anointing Jesus as man and revealing Him as the Messiah.”
Turning to the Great Blessing of Waters, Patriarch Porfirije highlighted the sanctification and renewal of all creation: “By His baptism, by His entry into the water, the Lord sanctifies all creation, the whole of creation, because there is nothing that is evil in itself. Everything God created is good, but it is also created to be sanctified by the grace of God.”
He added that Christ’s baptism renews the entire world: “On this day, by entering the waters of the Jordan, the Lord renews everything. He is the only truly new thing under the sun, and by His grace and presence He makes all things new—new creation and a new man.”
Concluding his homily, Patriarch Porfirije described the Church as the living presence of God’s Kingdom in history: “The Church, as the Kingdom of God in history, is the new creation. Everything in the Church is new—a new way of life. This is what we are called to.”
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, in accordance with the tradition of the Orthodox Church, the Rite of the Great Blessing of the Waters was solemnly celebrated.
