Patriarch of Serbia: We must not allow sorrow to dominate our lives

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…