Serbian Patriarch Porfirije presided over the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, celebrated at the women’s monastery dedicated to the feast in the Senjak district of Belgrade. The service drew numerous faithful and was concelebrated with the sisters of the monastery, led by Abbess Feodora.

In his homily, the Patriarch emphasized the deep spiritual meaning of the feast, describing the Virgin Mary as a “model of humility and love” for all Christians. He stressed that a person’s journey toward joy and fullness of life begins with entering the church and surrendering to God’s will.

“The Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple shows each of us the path to meaning, to beauty, to joy, to life itself — a path that begins with entering the temple,” he said.

Patriarch Porfirije also reminded the faithful of the importance of inner peace, repentance, and the ability to forgive. Addressing the monastic community, he urged them to follow the example of the Theotokos by uniting prayerful labor with hospitality and service to others.

“The Most Holy Mother of God always hears our prayers when we approach her with meekness and faith,” the Patriarch noted. “But every prayer must end with the words: ‘Thy will be done, O God.’”

The Monastery of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos was founded in 1936 through the initiative of philanthropist Persida Milenković. The monastery preserves numerous sacred treasures, including relics, old liturgical books, and icons brought by Russian nuns in the early 20th century. The grounds also contain communal graves of those who perished in 1944, adding historical significance to the spiritual life of the community.