More than 1,000 Orthodox faithful gathered on August 30 at the Church of St. Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher in New Belgrade to celebrate the feast of the Suffering Mother of God icon, according to the website of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The Divine Liturgy was led by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, who reflected on the symbolism of the ancient icon and called on worshippers to preserve their faith and inner peace even amid difficult circumstances.

The icon, brought to the service from the treasury of the Serbian Orthodox Church, depicts the Virgin Mary holding the infant Christ while angels show Him the instruments of His future Passion—the cross, nails and spear. The Child presses close to His Mother, symbolically anticipating the suffering that lies ahead.

According to Patriarch Porfirije, the image presents the Mother of God as an example of love, mercy and humility. He said she accepts even the most difficult events as expressions of God’s will and love.

“When we have faith in Christ, like the Most Holy Mother of God, there are no doubts left for us,” Porfirije said.

The patriarch also connected the meaning of the feast with the Gospel parable of the vineyard. He emphasized that everything people receive in life—including their abilities, families, possessions and opportunities—is a gift that should be shared rather than a source of pride.

“Everything is a gift. There is not a single gift that we have not received,” the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church said.

Porfirije urged the faithful not to allow sadness and dissatisfaction to overshadow their lives. Christian joy, he said, should not depend on external success but should be rooted in faith, love, hope, humility and prayer.

The Suffering Mother of God, also known as the Passion icon, is an ancient iconographic image centered on the anticipation of Christ’s Passion. The icon is especially venerated in Serbia. A well-known copy is kept at the Church of St. Sava in Belgrade and is brought out for veneration during Great Lent. The image is also honored at Serbian monasteries, including Žiča.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a religious and community celebration was held at the church. Patriarch Porfirije offered prayers and wishes for peace in Serbia and among Orthodox Serbs, specifically mentioning the people of Kosovo and Metohija.

He stressed that peace among people begins with peace within the human soul and reconciliation between people and God.