Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ has sent a message of congratulations to Serbian Patriarch Porfirije on the occasion of his krsna slava, the feast day honoring a family’s patron saint. In Serbia, the celebration of slava is regarded as one of the country’s most important religious and cultural traditions.

In his message, Patriarch Kirill wished the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church peace, good health, and God’s help in his pastoral ministry. He highlighted the special significance of the feast, which is observed on the day of the Synaxis of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord. According to the Moscow Patriarch, the example of Saint John the Baptist continues to inspire Christians to preach repentance and remain faithful to the Gospel in the modern world.

Festive services were held in Belgrade to mark the occasion, the official website of the Serbian Orthodox Church reported. The Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel was led by Patriarch Porfirije, concelebrated by hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church and guests from other local Orthodox churches. In the sermon, clergy emphasized that baptism in the Christian tradition signifies spiritual renewal and a person’s entry into new life in Christ.

Following the service, Patriarch Porfirije thanked the faithful for their prayerful support and called on them to preserve church unity and remain committed to Christian values. Celebrations continued at the Patriarchal Palace, where the traditional rite of blessing festive offerings was performed.

Krsna slava is the annual commemoration of a family’s patron saint, passed down from generation to generation and marked by common prayer and a festive meal. In Serbia, the custom holds not only religious but also social importance, symbolizing continuity, family unity, and the bond between generations.

The celebrations in Belgrade were attended by representatives of state authorities, the diplomatic corps, and figures from cultural and public life. Among them were Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral, and Archpriest Vitaly Tarasyev, head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s representation in Belgrade.