Patron Saint Day of Serbian Armed Forces
Tuesday, 1.8.2023 | Culture and traditions
The Patron Saint Day of the Serbian Armed Forces — Despot Saint Stephen the Tall has been solemnly marked today with a holy service in the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark in Belgrade and a holiday meal at the Topčider Barracks.
On that occasion, the Holy Bishop's Liturgy was performed by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, Bishop of Lipjan and Military Dositej, former military bishops — Jovan of Šumadija, Ilarion of Timok and Arsenije of Nis, assisting in the service, as well as all military chaplains.
Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević, MPs, ministers in the Serbian Government, members of the collegium of the Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff, as well as numerous officers, NCOs and civilians serving in the Serbian Armed Forces attended the liturgy and, subsequently, the blessing of the gifts and cutting of the ritual bread.
After the service, a festive holiday meal was held at the Topčider Barracks. The host of the celebration, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Milan Mojsilović welcomed the guests and congratulated the members of the Serbian Armed Forces and all citizens who celebrate Despot Saint Stephen’s Day on today's sacred holiday.
General Mojsilović expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the Serbian Armed Forces received their spiritual patron — noble and invincible Serbian Despot Saint Stephen the Tall in the year of the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Chaplaincy Service.
This has been the first celebration of the Serbian Armed Forces’ Patron Saint Day since, earlier this year, the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church decided that the patron - heavenly protector of the Serbian Armed Forces should be Saint Stephen the Tall, who was remembered as a wise statesman, successful military leader, and powerful guardian of his people and, after his death, a miracle maker.
