Serbian Patriarch Porfirije has described the thousands of pilgrims who lined up to venerate the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos in Belgrade as a powerful demonstration of the Serbian people’s enduring connection to Orthodox Christianity and the spiritual legacy of Saint Sava.

Speaking in an interview with Serbian television channels K1 and Tanjug, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church said the large crowds that gathered at the Church of Saint Sava to venerate the revered relic represented one of the most significant events he had witnessed in recent days.

“For me, this was yet another confirmation that our people are the people of Saint Sava, a people of God and an Orthodox people shaped by Gospel values,” Patriarch Porfirije said.

According to the patriarch, visitors to the shrine came from diverse social, political, and cultural backgrounds. Yet, he noted, those differences seemed to disappear as pilgrims united in prayer before the relic.

“What we witnessed was a kind of miracle,” he said, describing the atmosphere surrounding the pilgrimage.

Patriarch Porfirije emphasized that he views every person as a brother or sister, created in the image of God, and expressed his belief that the search for faith and spiritual meaning is inherent to human nature.

“I see all people and all members of our nation as brothers and sisters,” he said. “The fullness of life, joy, and meaning can only be found in God.”

The patriarch also recounted the history behind the arrival of the relic in Serbia. He explained that preparations for the visit of the Belt of the Virgin Mary took nearly two years and were made possible through longstanding spiritual ties between the Serbian people and the Athonite Monastery of Vatopedi.

He noted that Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, began his monastic life at Vatopedi. The monastery later donated land for the establishment of Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos, which became one of the most important spiritual centers of Serbian Orthodoxy.

Patriarch Porfirije expressed gratitude to the many volunteers who helped organize the relic’s visit to Belgrade, as well as to government institutions that assisted with logistical arrangements.

He also announced that donations collected during the veneration period would be directed toward charitable initiatives. Part of the funds will support residents of Kosovo and Metohija, while another portion will be allocated to social programs, including scholarships for children from large families.

During the interview, the patriarch addressed criticism from some public commentators who characterized the mass pilgrimage as a sign of “primitivism.” He rejected such interpretations, insisting that people came to the shrine for prayer, peace, and spiritual encouragement rather than for political or ideological reasons.

“They pray for themselves, for their loved ones, and for the entire world,” he said. “Their pilgrimage is not directed against anyone.”

The Serbian Church leader added that he considers it his duty to pray not only for believers but also for those who criticize or oppose the Church. Christianity, he said, calls for dialogue, mutual respect, and love even amid disagreements.

Concluding the interview, Patriarch Porfirije urged believers to pray for one another and preserve a sense of unity within society.

“When prayer becomes a way of life, the human heart is filled with love, hope, and light,” he said. “Then we come to understand that every person is needed and that no one is superfluous.”

The visit of the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos has attracted tens of thousands of pilgrims and has become one of the largest religious events in Serbia in recent years, underscoring the continuing importance of faith and religious tradition in the country’s public life.