Serbian Patriarch Porphyrius: Faith consists in trusting in God’s love and providence

On August 9, 2026, Serbian Patriarch Porphyrius celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Great Martyr Panteleimon in Mirievo on the occasion of the church’s patronal feast. The solemn service took place in the church where, exactly twenty years ago, the late Patriarch Pavle celebrated his first Divine Liturgy. This was reported by the publication Orthodox Times.

In his sermon, the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church referred to the Gospel reading about the healing of the boy, emphasizing that the plea “Lord, have mercy” expresses a person’s absolute trust not in their own strength, but in divine love and power. ““Faith is trust—our shared hope in the Lord, in His love, and in the knowledge of what we truly need,” the Patriarch noted.

Patriarch Porphyry particularly emphasized that even a small measure of faith—which Christ compared to a mustard seed—possesses a powerful life force capable of spiritual growth and bearing fruit. He added that where such living faith exists, the presence of Christ becomes a source of healing, peace, and the fullness of life. In his address, the archpastor also recalled the Savior’s teaching on the importance of fasting and prayer for spiritual purification and the struggle against negative forces.

Concelebrating with the head of the Church were Auxiliary Bishop Nikon of Enopolis, retired Bishop George of Canada, as well as numerous clergy and deacons of the Serbian Orthodox Church.