27.01.2025.

Minister Gašić attends ceremony to mark St. Sava Day in Skopje

Acting as a representative on behalf of the President and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended a ceremony celebrating St. Sava Day - the national holiday of the Serbs living in the Republic of North Macedonia, which was held at the Macedonian National Theatre in Skopje.

Minister Gašić was happy, he said, to spend the holiday with our people in the capital of a friendly neighbouring country.

- Saint Sava is the first Serbian archbishop and enlightener, and this year’s celebration marks the 850th anniversary of his birth. Sava's wisdom has been the lodestar for the Serbian people for centuries and an inspiration on our path of enlightenment, spiritualization, peace and harmony - said Minister Gašić.

On this occasion, Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković was awarded the Saint Sava Charter. He expressed his gratitude for the award and addressed the large audience saying that Saint Sava had laid the foundation for Serbian spiritual asceticism and given meaning to every Serbian achievement.

- From Sava's accomplishments emerged “Svetosavlje” as a clear defining characteristic of our people, as an essential characteristic of our culture and the path leading us to the arms of God. At its core is the Saint Sava vow, the vow of fraternal love, the vow of unity, freedom and justice - stressed Minister Selaković.

Addressing the audience, President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik said that "if it hadn’t been for Saint Sava, we would have lost our identity a long time ago".

- We have found a way to rise, move on and reclaim our values. We want to live in peace and harmony with the Macedonian people. And I would like to thank the Macedonian state for giving our people, the Serbs, the freedom that we couldn’t even discuss until recently. We would like to see this happen in other countries as well - said Dodik.

According to Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, who also addressed the audience, today is a great blessing for everyone.

- Following the path shown to us by Saint Sava, today we strive to build the best possible relations and friendships with everyone, following the example and spirit of Saint Sava - said Patriarch Porfirije.

The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, said that “when it comes to the spiritual and cultural symbols of our peoples, it is important to mention the parallel meaning of two magnificent personages - Saint Clement of Ohrid for Macedonia and Saint Sava for Serbia”. They are the pillars of our national identities, he said, as well as personalities whose heritage is the foundation of education, spirituality and cultural dialogue.

The audience was also addressed by Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia and Minister of Inter-Community Relations Ivan Stoilković and the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Andrija Mandić, while the Hilandar Monastery Sermon was delivered by playwright Slobodan Ćustić.