Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia has called on believers to focus on inner spiritual transformation rather than outward displays of religiosity, describing the modern temptation to seek “righteousness without repentance” as a central challenge of the times.

Speaking during a Palm Sunday sermon at the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church reflected on the Gospel account of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem. He noted that Christ’s arrival on a donkey symbolizes the fundamentally different nature of His kingdom.

“The Lord shows that His kingdom is not of this world, but the Kingdom of God, which descends to people,” the patriarch said.

According to Porfirije, the core meaning of the feast lies not in its celebratory character but in its call to personal transformation. “The Lord calls us to transfiguration and repentance,” he emphasized, adding that faith should not be reduced to the mere external observance of rules.

He also cautioned against turning religion into an ideology, warning of the danger of narrowing faith to fit personal views or using it as a tool for worldly purposes. True faith, he said, requires inner change, humility, and love for others.

A significant part of the sermon addressed the issue of hypocrisy. The patriarch noted that individuals may outwardly adhere to religious norms while remaining unchanged भीतर. “We want righteousness without repentance, peace without forgiveness, and unity without love,” he said.

Porfirije urged the faithful to “test everything we do and how we live by Christ,” presenting the праздник as the beginning of the journey toward Easter and a time for deep inner reflection and spiritual effort.