Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Symeon the Myrrh-Gusher in New Belgrade on August 30, 2026, for the feast of the Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God of the Passion.
More than 1,000 faithful gathered before the icon, which was brought from the Treasury of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
In his sermon, Patriarch Porfirije referred to the feast’s proximity to the Dormition of the Theotokos and emphasized the Virgin Mary’s love, mercy and humility.
“The Most Holy Theotokos is all love and mercy. She is wider than the heavens and can embrace the entire human race and the whole world,” he said.
According to the Patriarch, the Virgin Mary demonstrated that humility is not only attainable but also essential for salvation. She saw the hand of God in everything and accepted even difficulties and suffering as expressions of His will and love.
“Only someone with perfect faith can do this—someone whose faith is complete trust in Christ. When we have faith in Christ like that of the Most Holy Theotokos, there is no uncertainty,” he stressed.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Porfirije congratulated the faithful and urged them not to allow sorrow to overwhelm their lives.
“There is no greater failure than discontent, inner turmoil and sorrow. Only godly sorrow leads to salvation. To be more specific, there is no greater sin—in the sense of missing the mark—than failing to be joyful,” he said.
“When we are united with Christ through faith, love, hope, humility and prayer, everything within us—our thoughts, words, bodies and even our breathing—becomes joy.”
The Patriarch’s full sermon is available HERE.
Concelebrating were Metropolitan Nikodim of Dalmatia; Vicar Bishops Petar of Toplica and Tikhon of Moravica; Archimandrite Nektarije, Chief Secretary of the Holy Assembly of Bishops; Archimandrite Danilo, rector of the church; and clergy from Belgrade and other dioceses.
A cultural and community programme followed in the church courtyard, featuring traditional and spiritual music and dance. Performers included Pavlina Radovanović from Orahovac, the Zlatno Zvonce ensemble and the Novi Beograd Academic Cultural and Artistic Society.
Addressing those present at the end of the programme, Patriarch Porfirije prayed for Belgrade, the Serbian Orthodox people and the faithful living in Kosovo and Metohija.
“There can be no peace without reconciliation with God, and there can be no reconciliation with God without transformation and repentance,” he said.
“Let us be at peace with God through repentance and faith, so that we may be at peace with ourselves, with one another and with all people, regardless of their name or background.”
The Patriarch also called on the faithful to bear witness to Christ wherever they are.
“We are called to be, and we are, children of Christ. We must therefore bear witness to Him everywhere,” he concluded.
The Church of Saint Symeon the Myrrh-Gusher is located in Block 26 in New Belgrade, between the Belgrade Arena and the Palace of Serbia.
Its foundations were blessed in 2007 by the late Patriarch Pavle. Designed by architect Ljubica Bošnjak, the five-domed church combines modern design with elements of traditional Serbian medieval architecture and has been used for worship since January 2011.
