In the Serbian Orthodox Church, Great Lent begins on Monday, marking the longest and most rigorous period of spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. On the eve of the fast, known as Forgiveness Sunday, Patriarch Porfirije led the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade and addressed the faithful with a sermon on the meaning of the Lenten journey, according to the Church’s official website.

The Primate emphasized that Great Lent is not merely about abstaining from certain foods, but above all a time dedicated to prayer, repentance, and forgiveness. He explained that the fast, established by church tradition as preparation for the central Christian feast of Easter, is not an end in itself.

“It is important not simply to observe external rules, but to seek inner transformation,” the Patriarch said. “Fasting is a means that helps a person draw closer to God and learn to live in love with others.”

Patriarch Porfirije also highlighted the special significance of the Lord’s Prayer during Lent, noting that believers ask God for mercy while committing themselves to forgive others. Without readiness to forgive, he warned, resentment and bitterness remain in the soul, hindering spiritual renewal.

He called on the faithful not to reduce fasting to “a simple diet” or a display of outward piety. Instead, he said, the true purpose of this sacred season is to struggle against negative thoughts and emotions, reject evil, and cultivate mercy.

“Through fasting, we clear the field of our soul so that the seeds of goodness, love, and compassion may grow,” the Patriarch concluded.