Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia led the Divine Liturgy on January 14, 2025, commemorating the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the honor of Saint Basil the Great, at the Cathedral of Belgrade.
Joining him in the celebration were auxiliary bishops Alexios of Hvosno and Tikhon of Moravica; protopresbyters-cross-bearers Petar Lukić, Branko Topalović, and Djuro Skocić; protopresbyter Slavisa Popović; presbyter Radovan Radovanović; archdeacons Damjan Božić and Radomir Vrućinić; as well as deacons Nikolai Vuković and Basil Perić.
Bishop Alexios delivered a sermon focusing on the significance of the feast, highlighting the Lord’s sacrifice for humanity’s sins and the spiritual legacy of Saint Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea. He also acknowledged the start of the New Year according to the Julian or Old Calendar.
Following the Liturgy, Patriarch Porfirije blessed the gifts for the celebration of the First Choral Society of Belgrade, founded on the same day in 1853. He expressed gratitude for their continuous presence and contributions to the Orthodox Serbian community worldwide. He extended blessings to the choir members and prayed for their continued dedication to praising God.
Patriarch Porfirije offered New Year wishes, urging everyone to dedicate each day to serving God and others. He emphasized the importance of choosing to be with God continually. He concluded with blessings for all.
