Serbian Patriarch Porfirije Blesses the Belgrade Choral Society

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On January 14, 2025, the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the commemoration of St. Basil the Great, the Belgrade Cathedral hosted festive liturgies and a concert by the Belgrade Choral Society, reports spc.rs. His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije led the Divine Liturgy, accompanied by vicar bishops, priests, and deacons of the Serbian Orthodox Church.  

In his sermon, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized the importance of spiritual renewal with the beginning of the new year according to the Julian calendar. He reflected on Christ's sacrificial love and the asceticism of St. Basil the Great. Special recognition was given to the First Belgrade Choral Society, celebrating its 172nd anniversary. The Patriarch highlighted the Society’s nearly two centuries of inspiring believers with its singing and uniting Serbs worldwide.  

After the Liturgy, the Patriarch blessed traditional Serbian gifts and expressed gratitude to the choir for their longstanding service. He encouraged the younger choir members to emulate the saints and grow in faith and virtue.  

That evening, a festive concert titled *"Glory to God in the Highest and Peace on Earth"* took place, honoring two major anniversaries: the 110th anniversary of the death of Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac, a prominent choir conductor, and the 180th anniversary of the consecration of the Belgrade Cathedral. Held under the Patriarch’s patronage at the Kolarac Foundation, the event welcomed distinguished guests, including Bishop Tikhon of Morava, archimandrites, and representatives of Serbian state and cultural diplomacy.  

The choirs of the First Belgrade Choral Society performed spiritual and folk compositions under the direction of Bojan Stojčević and Radmila Knežević. The program showcased the richness of Serbian musical tradition, preserved through the Society’s efforts to unite musicians and intellectuals alike.  

The history of the First Belgrade Choral Society began in 1853, during the Turkish occupation. It became a center for Serbia’s national revival, contributing to the establishment of the National Theatre and the country’s first music school. Renowned figures such as Kornelije Stanković, Davorin Jenko, and Stanislav Binički served as its choir directors. Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac, under whose leadership the Society experienced its golden age, played a pivotal role in its development.  

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