10th Anniversary of Renewed Religious Service in Serbian Army Celebrated with Grand Ceremony

SPC.rs – OCP News Service – 15/11/2023

Belgrade-Serbia: The Serbian Army commemorated the 10th anniversary of the renewal of its Religious Service with a grand ceremonial academy held at the Army House in Belgrade on 14 November 2023.

The distinguished ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, including His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. Miloš Vucevic; Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army, General Milan Mojsilović; and several revered bishops, including John of Šumadija, Hilarion of Timoča, Arsenije of Niš, Hesihije of Valja, Jerotej of Saba, Dositej of Lipjan and Vojna, and Damaskin of Mohács, vicar of the Bishop of Bačka. Former Belgrade Archbishop Stanislav Hočevar and Muhamed Jusufspahić, president of the Supreme Assembly of the Islamic Community of Serbia, were also in attendance.

The program, titled “With Faith in God!” commenced with the national anthem “Boze pravde” performed by the Mixed Choir and the Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defense Stanislav Binički. The ceremony included various musical performances, including traditional Serbian songs, Franz Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” and patriotic songs, showcasing the rich cultural and religious diversity within the Serbian Armed Forces.

The event culminated in the presentation of recognition to individuals who made significant contributions to the Religious Service of the Serbian Armed Forces. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Mr. Miloš Vučević awarded military commemorative medals for contribution to the defense system to several military priests, including lieutenant colonels Goran Avramov, Slađan Vlajić, and Mustafa Jusufspahić, and majors Đorđe Dimić and Nemanja Petrović. Archpriest Đorđe Stojisavljević, head of the Cabinet of the Serbian Patriarch, also received a military memorial medal for his contribution to the defense system.

The program concluded with the heartfelt composition “Rise of Serbia,” performed by all participants of the festive academy. Video clips showcasing the history and significance of the military clergy and the Religious Service of the Serbian Army were integrated into the program.

The Religious Service in the Serbian Army, which had historical roots dating back to the First Serbian Uprising in 1804, was legally reestablished and organized on January 1, 2008. The renewal was marked by the signing of agreements between the Ministry of Defense and various religious communities, including the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Islamic community, and others.

As the Serbian Army celebrated its tenth anniversary, it boasted 20 military chaplains (out of the planned 28) and 41 Orthodox, 3 Islamic, and 2 Roman Catholic places of worship, demonstrating the successful implementation of the Religious Service within the defense system of the Republic of Serbia. The ceremony highlighted the harmonious cooperation between the defense system and diverse religious communities, fostering not only correct but friendly relations and contributing to the preservation of peace and national identity.

Source:

OCP News Services, SPC.rs