Serbian Patriarch Porfirije met with participants of the international sports-and-education camp “Serbia Calls You” at the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade, according to the Serbian Orthodox Church’s website.

This year, more than 400 young athletes took part in the project, including sports participants from Serbia as well as from Serbian communities in Kosovo and Metohija. Additional attendees came from countries of the Serbian diaspora, including the United States, Australia, Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, and Greece.

During the first ten days of August, children and teenagers trained in football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and handball under the guidance of well-known Serbian athletes and coaches.

Speaking to the youth during the meeting, Patriarch Porfirije said the Church of Saint Sava had become a special place for young Serbs who traveled from around the world.

“There is no better place for our gathering than the Church of Saint Sava—the beloved temple of the entire Serbian people,” the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church said.

The Patriarch stressed the importance for the younger generation of maintaining a connection to their ancestors’ history, faith, and spiritual heritage, citing Saint Sava as an example of someone who combined love for God with love for people.

“Saint Sava was a man of prayer and a man of love. Because he was a person of Christ, he was also a person of his people,” Patriarch Porfirije said.

Commenting on the sports program, he noted that athletics build not only the body but also a person’s character.

“A healthy body fosters a healthy spirit. But it is important to remember: for the spirit to be healthy, prayer, kindness, and honesty are also necessary,” he added.

The international camp “Serbia Calls You” takes place in Belgrade from August 1 to August 11. Alongside sports training, participants study the Serbian language and learn about their people’s history, culture, and traditions.

Organizers say that over 1,500 children have passed through the camp since it began, representing dozens of countries. They add that each year the participants’ geography expands, helping turn the program into one of the notable initiatives strengthening cultural ties for Serbian youth worldwide.