08.10.2025.
Minister Gašić visits Hilandar Monastery
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić, accompanied by members of his collegium, representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, and Bishop Dositej of Lipljan and the Armed Forces, is on a two-day visit to the Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos.
Minister Gašić was welcomed by Archimandrite Methodios, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Hilandar, and the monks.During the visit, the Minister of Defence expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and noted that he felt honoured to be the first minister to visit Hilandar together with his associates.
- Today, we walk the very paths on Mount Athos that Saint Sava and his father, Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Gusher, walked more than eight centuries ago. This place preserves the spirit of our ancestors and reminds us how deeply faith, unity, and love for the homeland are rooted in our people. Hilandar is not just a monastery, it is a bond linking us to our history, our roots, and the spiritual legacy we must preserve. Our visit to this sacred place is yet another way to reaffirm strong ties and mutual respect between the Church and the military, the two pillars of our state and institutions our citizens trust the most – said Minister Gašić.
Speaking about Hilandar as one of the most important spiritual and cultural strongholds of the Serbian people, Minister Gašić expressed his gratitude to the monastery’s monks for preserving the centuries-old tradition and legacy.At a reception held on the first day of the visit, the monastery’s abbot, Archimandrite Methodios, spoke about the importance of cooperation between the military and the Church and introduced the guests to the Hilandar complex and the core values upheld by the monastery.
The Hilandar Monastery on Mount Athos was founded in 1198 by Saint Sava and his father, Saint Simeon. It holds the fourth place in the hierarchy of Mount Athos monasteries and is one of the most important spiritual and cultural centres for the Serbian people.
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VIDEOGALLERY08.10.2025
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