On May 21, 2025, the Serbian Orthodox Church commemorated the feast day of St. John the Theologian with a special Divine Liturgy led by Patriarch Porfirije at the University Chapel dedicated to this saint. The chapel is part of the Theological Faculty of Belgrade University, which is the main educational institution of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Porfirije was joined by several bishops and faculty members, including Metropolitan David of Kruševac, Bishop Isihije of Valjevo, Bishops Nikon and Nektarios, and Metropolitan Irinej of Bačka. The liturgy was a special occasion for the students and staff of the theological faculty, as it brought together both the academic and spiritual sides of the institution.

A particularly meaningful moment during the service was the presentation of a relic of St. Justin of Chelije, a 20th-century theologian, monk, and professor, canonized by the Serbian Church. The relic was brought to Belgrade from the Valjevo Diocese with the blessing of Bishop Isihije. Patriarch Porfirije expressed his gratitude for this precious gift, calling St. Justin a model of theology grounded not in theoretical constructs but in prayer and personal spiritual experience.

After the liturgy, Patriarch Porfirije addressed the congregation, reminding the gathered students and faculty that true theology is not merely an academic discipline but a way of living in constant prayer and communion with God. "If you pray, you are a true theologian," he said, quoting the words of the Holy Fathers.

Metropolitan David of Kruševac also delivered a sermon, emphasizing that for theologians, their true calling lies not in academic success or careers but in active participation in the life of the Church and in living a vibrant faith.

As part of the tradition on the feast of St. John the Theologian, diplomas were awarded to the graduating students of the Theological Faculty. Dean of the Faculty, Professor Father Zoran Ranković, congratulated the graduates and thanked the Valjevo Diocese for the precious relic of St. Justin.

St. Justin of Chelije: A Life of Theological Dedication and Spiritual Insight

St. Justin Chelijski (born Blagoje Popović) was born in 1894 in the southern Serbian town of Vranje, into a family of priests. He completed his studies at the Belgrade Theological Seminary and continued his education in Russia, England, and Greece, gaining recognition as a scholar of theology. In the 1920s, he taught at the Theological Faculty of Belgrade. However, after World War II and the rise of communist pressures, he was removed from his teaching position and moved to the Chelije Monastery near Valjevo, where he lived for over thirty years.

St. Justin’s theological works focus on dogmatics, Christology, exegesis, and hagiography. He emphasized that true theology arises from prayer and personal communion with God. He passed away in 1979 and was canonized by the Serbian Orthodox Church in 2010. His relics are now kept in a specially constructed shrine inside the Chelije Monastery church, where they continue to inspire believers and theologians alike.

This year's celebration not only honored the legacy of St. John the Theologian but also highlighted the enduring influence of St. Justin of Chelije, a spiritual teacher whose life and work remain deeply rooted in the tradition of Orthodox Christian theology. The celebration at Belgrade University underscored the profound link between academic learning and spiritual practice, offering a powerful reminder of the role of prayer and personal relationship with God in the life of a true theologian.