Serbian Patriarch Porfirije led a solemn memorial service on Saturday in remembrance of the victims of Operation Storm, a 1995 Croatian military offensive that resulted in the displacement of around 200,000 Serbs from what is now Croatia. The service took place in the historic town of Sremski Karlovci and was attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, and hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

In his homily, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized that the Church’s mission is not to inflame hostility, but to bring healing and bear witness to the divine commandment of love.

“We remember the suffering of our brothers and sisters who were driven from their homes,” he said. “But we have not gathered here to harbor resentment. We have gathered out of love — love for the martyrs, for our families, for our neighbors, for one another. We have gathered in prayer.”

He called on the faithful to reject hatred and embrace forgiveness as the only path to lasting peace.

“Hatred breeds hatred,” the Patriarch said. “If we wish to be called children of Saint Sava, we must renounce malice and become united in goodness, forgiveness, and care for each other. Christ commanded: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ And even more — ‘Love your enemies.’ This is a great spiritual height, accessible only to hearts transformed by Christ.”

Reflecting on Serbia’s troubled past, Porfirije said that through sorrow, the Serbian people are called to repentance, unity, and a renewed life in Christ.

“We are destined to carry the cross,” he said, quoting Bishop Petar II Petrović-Njegoš. “But there is no resurrection without death. Let the memory of our sufferers lead us not to bitterness, but to a heartfelt turning to God and brotherly love.”

The service concluded with prayers for all those killed, displaced, and humiliated during the conflict, and for the peace of Christ to reign in hearts and among nations.