ZAGREB, April 19, 2020 - During his sermon in Zagreb on Sunday on the occasion of Easter observed in line with the Julian calendar, the Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana Porfirije called on the faithful to cease being afraid, as Jesus Christ defeated death.
The dignitary also called on human beings, who, he said, have alienated themselves from God, to come back to Him.
The Easter service was held in a chapel in the Serb Orthodox Church spiritual centre. For the first time in the history of the Serb Orthodox community in the city, the service was not held in the Serb Orthodox Church of the Holy Transfiguration in downtown Zagreb which was severely damaged in the 22 March earthquake.
Also, apart from Porfirije and two more priests, there were no worshippers to attend the Mass due to the COVID-19 restrictions.
In his sermon, Porfirije also underlined that "today we are aware that we are not created to hate but to love."
He went on to say that fears felt by human beings are a consequence of the fear of death, however "our Lord defeated death and the fear of death."
During the religious service, the Easter message of the patriarch of the Serb Orthodox Church Irinej was read out.
In that message, Patriarch Irinej called on the faithful to pray to God to save humankind from the current COVID-19 epidemic and other troubles.
He called on believers to think about their Serb Orthodox brethren in Kosovo and Montenegro, who, he said, are exposed to suffering and injustice.
More Easter news can be found in the Lifestyle section.
