Patriarch Porfirije: Love for God is manifested in love for one’s neighbor

Patriarch Porfirije at the Divine Liturgy in the Church of Saint Stephen of Dečani. Photo: spc.rs

On August 24, 2025, His Holiness Porfirije, Patriarch of Serbia, presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the Church of Saint Stephen of Dečani in Železnik, where in his homily he stressed that true love for God is revealed in love for one’s neighbor. This was reported by the Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

After the reading of the Holy Gospel, the Primate reminded the faithful of the importance of participating in the Divine Liturgy: “Where the Holy Liturgy is, there is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself – it is the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Interpreting the Gospel parable of the two debtors (Matt. 18:23–35), the Patriarch noted that every day a person receives countless gifts from God, which are meant to lead him to the Kingdom of God. Yet the manifestation of our love for God becomes evident, above all, in our relationships with others.

“When we encounter our neighbor – a friend, brother, or sister – we are given the opportunity to love them as ourselves, to fulfill the commandment of God. The neighbor is not a rival or an enemy, but the image of God and a gift to us,” said Patriarch Porfirije.

He also emphasized that forgiveness is the path to salvation and spiritual fullness, while malice and hardness of heart destroy a person from within: “Only in the encounter of forgiveness, in the embrace of one another despite obstacles, do we bear witness that we are the people of God.”

The Patriarch called on the faithful to preserve peace and love so that even here, on earth, they may live the mystery of the Kingdom of Heaven and be prepared to meet Christ in eternity.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Serbian Patriarch congratulated the Primate of the UOC on the 11th anniversary of his enthronement.

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