Patriarch of Serbia: Only in Christ can a person truly know themselves

Serbian Patriarch Porfirije during the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Prince Lazar of Kosovo in Zemun Polje. Photo: SOC

On October 12, 2025, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Prince Lazar of Kosovo in Zemun Polje, the press service of the Serbian Orthodox Church reported. In his homily, the Patriarch stressed that true self-knowledge is possible only in Christ.

Reflecting on the Gospel reading about the calling of the first apostles, Patriarch Porfirije noted that Saint Prince Lazar, through his sacrifice, strengthened the faith of the Serbian people in Christ and set an example of steadfast Orthodox devotion.

“Only in Christ can we understand who we are, what is good and what is evil. With Christ and in Christ, we see the whole world as God’s gift and every person as our brother,” said the Patriarch.

He emphasized that Saint Lazar lived in constant communion with Christ through prayer – and by this example continues to inspire the faithful today.

The service was concelebrated by Bishop Dositej of Lipjan, together with clergy and deacons of the Belgrade–Karlovci Archdiocese. The Church of Saint Prince Lazar in Zemun Polje was built in 1991 according to the design of architect Branko Pešić and is among Belgrade’s most renowned holy sites.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Porfirije consecrated the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Slovenia.

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