OCA's Abp. Michael Concelebrates With Patr. Porfirije Before Belt of the Theotokos
Abp. Michael joined Patr. Porfirije and other Orthodox clergy in Belgrade as thousands gathered to venerate the Belt of the Theotokos.
BELGRADE — His Eminence Abp. Michael of New York and New Jersey of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Serbian Patr. Porfirije on June 3 before the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos at the Church of St. Sava on Vračar. Also serving were Archpriest John Parker, dean of St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, and Archpriest Josiah Trenham, together with hierarchs and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church and monks from Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos, custodians of the revered relic.
Patr. Porfirije celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy before large crowds of faithful who filled the church and continued to arrive in long lines to venerate the Belt of the Most Holy Theotokos. During the service, he offered a special prayer for the peace, health, and salvation of the Serbian people.
In his homily, the Serbian primate taught that communion with God is the true purpose of human life and that the Kingdom of God is already present through the Church and Christ. He described the Most Holy Theotokos as the supreme example of life in Christ and said the thousands coming to venerate Her Belt bore witness to living faith and unity among the faithful.
The Patriarch also emphasized that the Theotokos remains a comforter, protector, and intercessor for believers, bringing peace and spiritual strength to those who approach Her with faith. Reflecting on the feast of Saints Constantine and Helen, he spoke of the Cross as the power that conquers sin, hatred, and selfishness, and concluded by urging Christians to make prayer a constant way of life. After the liturgy, he greeted the pilgrims who had patiently waited for hours to venerate the holy relic.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Patr. Porfirije celebrated the feast of St. Nikolai Velimirović at Leli Monastery.
