A presentation of the Serbian edition of “Gender Revolution — A Global Agenda?” by Belgian political scientist Margaret Peeters was held in the crypt of the Church of Saint Sava with the blessing of Patriarch Porfirije, the website of the Serbian Orthodox Church reported.

The book examines the development and promotion of gender-related issues within international institutions and the human rights agenda. Peeters analyzes how understandings of sex, family, and identity have evolved in documents of the United Nations and other international organizations, and assesses the impact of these shifts on national legislation, educational policy, and public values. The work combines elements of political research and critical essay, positioning itself as a contribution to debates on the relationship between traditional culture, religious perspectives, and contemporary social transformations.

Although Patriarch Porfirije was unable to attend the event in person, his address was delivered by Bishop Ilarion of Novo Brdo. In his message, the Patriarch said modern society is facing attempts to revise traditional understandings of the human person, gender, and family.

According to Porfirije, the spread of what he described as “gender ideology” primarily weakens the family and, in turn, affects the foundations of social life. He added that gender ideology “does not correspond to the proven and well-founded positions of Serbian linguistic science,” stressing that the Church “carefully preserves language and the truth about the human person.”

The event was attended by representatives of the clergy, academia, and government, including Serbia’s minister of education. Organizers said the publication of the book aims to encourage broader public discussion about the role of family and traditional values in the 21st century.

The issue raised at the gathering extends beyond church discourse and reflects a wider European and global debate over the balance between cultural tradition, human rights, and social change — a discussion that continues to generate strong reactions in many countries.