His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia formally opened the international church art exhibition and interdisciplinary event "Light of the Logos" at the Kolarac Foundation Gallery in Belgrade on Tuesday. The event gathers artists, theologians, and cultural figures in celebration of sacred art and spiritual heritage.
The opening ceremony was attended by Bishop Tikhon of the Moravian Diocese, clergy of the Belgrade-Karlovci Archdiocese, and numerous cultural representatives from Serbia and beyond. Among the guests was renowned contemporary church artist Grigore Popescu-Muşcel, widely recognized for his contributions to modern iconography.
In his address, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized the spiritual significance of the exhibition, noting that artistic expression can be a path to the divine light of Christ — the Logos, whom Saint Sava glorified both in word and in life.
"It is not only about bearing witness to Orthodoxy through artistic creation," the Patriarch said, "but also about offering Christ as a sacrifice through our personal lives."
Bishop Tikhon, who serves on the exhibition's jury, awarded prizes to several artists for outstanding contributions. The ceremony concluded with a musical performance.
The exhibition is held under the auspices of UNESCO and is dedicated to the 850th anniversary of the birth of Saint Sava, the first Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church and a central figure in Serbian spiritual and cultural history.
Featuring 125 icons by 97 artists from across the globe — including Greece, the United States, Cuba, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Belarus, the Republic of Srpska, Germany, Latvia, and the Philippines — the exhibition presents a vibrant tapestry of contemporary and traditional church art.
"Light of the Logos" will be open to the public through the coming weeks, offering visitors an opportunity to experience sacred art as a living tradition that bridges cultures, generations, and disciplines.
-
Not for a Checkmark: When Good Deeds Aren’t About Love
Alyona Bogolyubova
All Authors