14.10.2025.
63rd Parachute Brigade Day and unit’s Patron Saint’s Day
Today, members of the 63rd Parachute Brigade observed the unit’s Patron Saint’s Day – the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, in a modest, yet proud manner.
On this occasion, a Holy Liturgy was held at the Sergeant-Pilot Mihajlo Petrović military airbase in NIš, with active-duty Brigade members in attendance.Following the liturgy, Colonel Aleksandar Stupar, Commander of the 63rd Parachute Brigade, reflected on the centuries-old connection between the Serbian soldier and his faith, and noted that today’s religious festival, the Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos – is deeply rooted in the Brigade’s tradition and identity. He noted that the unit has significantly contributed to enhancing the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces through the successful execution of its tasks over the past year and its high level of combat readiness.
The originally planned military ceremony marking October 14 – 63rd Parachute Brigade Day and Military Paratroopers Day, was cancelled out of respect for the Brigade’s wartime commander, Major General Ilija Todorov (retd), who was laid to rest yesterday with full military honours. The funeral was attended by the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović, as well as numerous members of the Serbian Armed Forces and the 63rd Parachute Brigade.
On the occasion of 63rd Parachute Brigade Day, a reception was held on Sunday at the Niš military airbase for the families of the fallen Brigade members. The event was also attended by the unit’s veterans. A memorial service was held for the deceased and fallen military paratroopers, and wreaths were laid at the Wall of Remembrance dedicated to the fallen members of the 63rd Parachute Brigade.63rd Parachute Brigade Day and Military Paratroopers Day are observed in memory of October 14, 1944, when the First Parachute Battalion of the Yugoslav People’s Liberation Army was established at a military base near Bari, Italy.
PHOTOGALLERY
