Patriarch of Serbia: Divisions bring evil, true freedom is only in Christ

Patriarch Porfirije. Photo: Republika

On September 15, 2025, at the National Theatre in Belgrade, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije delivered a speech on the occasion of the Day of the Serbian Flag, Unity, and Freedom. This was reported by the press service of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The Primate emphasized that one of the main threats to the people remains internal strife. "Every division, on whatever standpoint it is based, gives rise to all kinds of mischief, from envy to hatred to enmity and strife. Divisions are the source of evil, and the Christianized mind of our people, through the mouth of an epic poet, said that evil cannot bring good!" he said. 

The Patriarch highlighted that this year coincides with the 850th anniversary of the birth of Saint Sava, who "managed to gather his children into unity in the Holy Spirit". "Saint Sava revealed and explained to us that this unity is reflected in the sense of responsibility of man towards man; that it is founded on our communion with God. ... In this realization, we should keep in mind that the Lord constantly addresses each of us personally as he once did to the unfortunate Cain and asks: Where is your brother?... This question, which God himself asks each of us individually and personally, should remind us that, no matter what, we are obligated to care for our neighbors," he noted.

The Patriarch paid special attention to the theme of freedom: "This is, above all, inner, spiritual freedom. Freedom from sin. Freedom from selfishness, self-love and pride. ...  Since freedom in Christ has no alternative, we know and confess that we must not and will not give it up for anything."

Concluding his speech, Patriarch Porfirije called on the Serbian people to preserve brotherly love and strive for holiness through unity: "We may always be gathered in the unity of the Spirit and live in love, strengthened by one another and arrayed as in a fighting order, good and spiritual and salvific as our Holy Father Sava determined in his Typikon. Only then, and only then, is there hope for us, there is a future for our baptized people."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Porfirije opened the restored Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Croatia.

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