Faith is stronger than human disagreements, prayer is more powerful than hostility, and love remains the foundation of genuine unity, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said during a recent service at the Church of St. Simeon the Myrrh-Streaming in New Belgrade.

Addressing worshippers during his sermon, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church reflected on the role of faith in personal and public life, emphasizing its ability to transcend reason, emotions, and social divisions.

A significant portion of the patriarch’s message focused on the recent visit of the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos, one of the most revered relics in Orthodox Christianity. Over recent days, tens of thousands of pilgrims traveled to venerate the shrine, drawing large crowds from across Serbia.

According to Patriarch Porfirije, the overwhelming response demonstrated that faith continues to serve as a powerful force for unity despite political, social, and ideological differences within society.

“We have shown that faith is stronger than our misunderstandings, prayer stronger than any hostility, and the peace of Christ is what people truly seek,” the patriarch told the congregation.

The Serbian Church leader noted that some observers had attempted to explain the massive pilgrimage through purely rational or social factors. However, he argued that religious experience cannot be fully understood through ordinary logic alone.

“Faith is deeper than reason, broader than emotions, and higher than everything that can be seen or touched,” he said, describing faith as a force that encompasses a person's entire life and fosters trust in God as well as love for others.

Patriarch Porfirije also stressed that genuine love does not operate according to principles of self-interest or calculation. Instead, he said, love creates bonds between people and provides the foundation for overcoming conflicts and divisions.

Addressing criticism surrounding the public veneration of the relic, the patriarch urged believers not to respond to hostility with anger or condemnation. Rather, he encouraged them to pray for those who disagree with them and to maintain a spirit of compassion.

“A person who carries hatred within himself carries poison,” he said, adding that Christians are called to preserve love even toward those who do not share their beliefs.

Concluding his sermon, Patriarch Porfirije described faith as the cornerstone of Christian life. Referring to the Gospel account of the calling of the first apostles, he encouraged believers to follow Christ with the same trust, determination, and willingness to forgive others.

According to the patriarch, only faith rooted in love enables people to truly understand one another, preserve unity, and overcome the divisions that challenge modern society.