Serbian Patriarch Porfirije on Friday greeted more than 2,000 schoolchildren studying the basics of Orthodox Christian faith in Serbian schools and presented them with gifts during a celebration at the Church of St. Sava in Belgrade.

The event took place as part of Savindan, the annual celebration honoring St. Sava, the first Archbishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church and one of the country’s most important spiritual figures. According to the Serbian Orthodox Church, the gathering was held at Serbia’s largest храм on Vračar Hill and brought together students of religious education from schools in Belgrade and the surrounding areas.

Before the ceremony, children and teachers joined in the Lord’s Prayer, followed by the singing of the hymn dedicated to St. Sava. Addressing the students, Patriarch Porfirije emphasized that St. Sava is revered in Serbia not only as a church leader and statesman, but also as a moral example for young people.

He stressed that education should go beyond academic achievement to include the formation of character, encouraging values such as love, forgiveness, honesty, and respect for parents and others. “Learning is important, but knowledge gains meaning only when a person learns goodness, responsibility, and the courage to speak the truth,” the Patriarch said, urging children to be attentive to one another and ready to help those in need.

Following his address, Patriarch Porfirije presented gifts to the students, including fourth-grade pupils representing all Belgrade primary schools where religious education is offered. In Serbia, religious education classes are held in state schools on a voluntary basis.