06.05.2026.
Serbian Armed Forces General Staff observes its Patron Saint’s Day
Today, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić attended a formal ceremony marking the patron saint’s day of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, the Feast of the Holy Great Martyr George (Đurđevdan), held at the Banjica 2 Barracks in Belgrade.
Extending his best wishes to the host of the celebration - Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Milan Mojsilović, and his colleagues, the Minister of Defence noted that today’s gathering both maintains tradition and reaffirms the values that have shaped our military and our people since ancient times.- Saint George, a soldier himself, is a symbol of courage, honour, and readiness to make the ultimate sacrifice for a higher cause. It is in these values that we recognize the strong foundations upon which our military and our people rest – determination, dignity, and righteousness – said Minister Gašić, expressing his wish that the spirit of Saint George may protect and guide members of the General Staff in every challenge, and help them remain “firm in every decision and worthy, in every act, of the uniform they wear.”
The Divine Hierarchical Liturgy was concelebrated by Military Bishop Dositej, Bishop of Lipljan, and other members of the clergy, after which the rite of blessing and breaking of the “slava” bread was performed.In his sermon, Bishop Dositej congratulated those celebrating the patron saint’s day, and emphasized that in addition to the equipping and modernization of the armed forces and the training of its personnel, a strong faith is also necessary, as it strengthens the spirit.
- Our people is Christ-loving, which has been demonstrated countless times throughout history. Soldierly heroism, inspired by that faith, has achieved the noblest goals – the Military Bishop said, emphasizing that the Serbian people have always been deeply rooted in Christianity, and that before going into battle, soldiers would receive Holy Communion in order to be granted “unbeatable weapons and exceptional courage.”
The celebration was attended by members of the Defence Minister’s and the Chief of the General Staff’s collegiums, Brigadier General Jeffrey Watkins, director of the Joint Staff for the Ohio National Guard, and members of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff.
The Serbian Armed Forces General Staff has been celebrating St. George's Day (Đurđevdan) since 2018, keeping alive the Serbian army’s tradition of celebrating patronal feast days, a practice first introduced in 1888.
PHOTOGALLERY
VIDEOGALLERY06.05.2026
mp4 (219,04 MB)The celebration of patron saint's day
