Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia has called on believers to place their trust in God’s will amid growing global uncertainty, emphasizing that a single act of faith can shape the course of history.

In his message for the Feast of the Annunciation, the Serbian Patriarch urged the faithful to reflect on what he described as a crucial spiritual choice, particularly in the lead-up to Easter: the willingness to trust in divine providence despite an overwhelming flow of troubling news.

According to a statement published by the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije noted that modern life is marked by a constant stream of contradictory information that “sows anxiety and division.” Yet, he stressed, only one message remains truly enduring—the Gospel’s call to humanity.

“Many messages reach us, but only one carries eternal meaning,” he said.

At the center of his reflection was the response of the Virgin Mary to the Annunciation—“Let it be according to Your word”—which he described as a turning point in human history and the foundation of Christian life. This act of trust, he said, serves as a guiding principle for believers as the Church moves from the celebration of the Annunciation toward the Resurrection at Easter.

The Patriarch also highlighted a significant religious event scheduled for this year. For the first time in many years, a revered relic—the Belt of the Virgin Mary, preserved at the Vatopedi Monastery—will be brought to Belgrade. The relic is expected to take part in a traditional religious procession marking the Feast of the Ascension, one of the twelve major Orthodox feasts, which will be observed on May 21 this year.

Patriarch Porfirije described the relic as a symbol of spiritual protection and faith, expressing hope that prayer before it would help believers “strengthen their faith as an impenetrable shield.”

He concluded by encouraging the faithful to focus not only on external observances but also on cultivating inner trust and spiritual resilience during the Easter season.