Serbian Armed Forces Solemnly Marked St. Patron’s Day
Friday, 1.8.2025 | Culture and traditions
With a liturgical service at the Church of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark in Belgrade and appropriate ceremonies at the commands, units and military institutions, the St. Patron’s Day of the Serbian Armed Forces — Saint Despot Stefan, the Tall — has solemnly been marked today.
On that occasion, in the Belgrade St. Mark’s Church, which has the status of a military temple, a holy bishop’s liturgy was served by the bishop in charge of military chaplains in the Serbian Armed Forces, His Eminence Vicar Bishop Dositej of Lipjan. In his sermon, the military bishop has said that every soldier should remember to defend not only the borders, but also the truth, to serve not only the people, but also God and that Saint Stefan teaches us that military honor is the greatest when consecrated by faith.
Afterwards, a festive holiday meal was held at the Guard’s Club in Topčider, which was attended by Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić, Military Bishop Dositej, members of the collegiums of the Minister of Defense and Chief of General Staff and numerous officers, NCOs and civilians serving in the Serbian Armed Forces.
The host of the celebration, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović, congratulated members of the Serbian Armed Forces and all citizens who celebrate the Saint Despot Stefan Day. He has pointed out that by marking the St. Patron’s Day the Serbian Armed Forces continue to nurture spiritual and national values, strengthening moral strength and showing respect for its own tradition and identity at the same time.
The Serbian Armed Forces have been celebrating the St. Patron’s Day since 2023, after the Holy Council of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church decided that the patron - heavenly protector of the Serbian Armed forces would be Saint Stefan, the Tall, who was remembered as a wise statesman, a successful military leader, a powerful guardian of his people and, after his death, a miracle maker.
