27.01.2026.
Minister Gašić unveils monument to Saint Sava in Kruševac
Today, Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić, together with the mayor of Kruševac, Ivan Manojlović, and the director of the foundation “For the Serbian People and State”, Ljubica Bertović, unveiled a monument to Saint Sava at the square bearing his name in Kruševac.
During the monument unveiling ceremony, Minister Gašić said it was an honour for him to unveil the monument to Saint Sava, the first Serbian archbishop and enlightener, a figure who, perhaps more than any other, influenced the shaping of the spirit of the Serbian people, in Kruševac, a city whose name is deeply woven into the foundations of Serbian statehood and spirituality.- For Serbs, Saint Sava has never been and never will be merely a historical figure, but rather the brightest and the most sacred measure of values that Serbian identity rests upon – wisdom, unity, and love for the homeland. By uniting the spiritual and the secular into a single whole, embodied in his life and work, he understood, even at the time of great challenges, that the strength of a nation does not lie in arms alone, but in knowledge, mutual understanding, and a strong faith in a common purpose. The values he taught the Serbian people remain, to this day, a strong guarantee of our progress and survival – the Minister of Defence emphasized.
He noted that Saint Sava was committed to the common good, and that today he stands as an example to all of us, and is our source of pride. - The spirit of svetosavlje (Saint Sava’s teachings), which permeates the identity of each of us, must be fostered and passed on to future generations. We must teach the young, as we ourselves were taught, and remind both them and ourselves that true strength lies in honour, integrity, and the readiness to preserve peace, our nation, and freedom. The age we live in is full of challenges and misleading signposts. In seeking truth where it does not exist, we tend at times to neglect the echo rising from the depths of our own being, the voice of love for Christ and love for one’s brother, the voice of Saint Sava that reminds us and admonishes us. Guided by that very voice, and knowing that “the earthly kingdom is temporary, but the kingdom of Heaven is forever”, it was from this city that Holy Prince Lazar led his army to the Kosovo Field. That voice resounds in the hearts of all of us. So it was, and so it shall always be – Minister Gašić said.
Addressing the citizens, the Minister of Defence said that Kruševac is richer by another lasting reminder of the spiritual roots that unite us and oblige us to preserve our unity and identity.- May the monument to Saint Sava become a gathering place, a place for remembrance and inspiration for all of us. I hope that in the figure of this great saint, we will always find a guiding light showing us how to love our people and serve our country. I would like to once again express my deepest gratitude, and the gratitude of the people of Kruševac, to the foundation “For the Serbian People and State”, for donating this beautiful monument to the city. This generous gift will help future generations grow into great individuals, as Saint Sava was, by cherishing his life and work – Minister Gašić emphasized, wishing everyone a happy Saint Sava Day, and adding that we should strive every day to be better people, guided by the erudition, serenity, and wisdom of Saint Sava.
The mayor of Kruševac, Ivan Manojlović, noted that throughout the centuries, Saint Sava has remained a symbol of knowledge, peace, and responsibility.
- His teachings were never focused on power, but on people, especially the youth. It is, therefore, no coincidence that his monument stands in a square filled with children’s laughter, a square where they play, take their first steps, and build their earliest dreams. This place today unites the past and the future. It is meant for all future generations, yet it also serves as a link to the history this city cherishes - said Mayor Ivan Manojlović.The director of the foundation “For the Serbian People and State”, Ljubica Bertović, said that Saint Sava was not merely a historical figure, but a guiding light and a symbol of togetherness, peace, wisdom, and responsibility, the foundation upon which Serbian spirituality and national identity have been built.
- The path of svetosavlje is the path of knowledge, service, and sacrifice for the community, a path that obliges us to be better, more united, and more responsible toward our people and our country. With special pride, the foundation “For the Serbian People and State” donates this monument to the city of Kruševac, its citizens, the Rasina District, and entire Serbia, as a lasting tribute to the values of Saint Sava and as a place of gathering, remembrance, and spiritual strength - said Ms. Bertović.
After the unveiling, the monument to Saint Sava was consecrated by Archbishop and Metropolitan of Kruševac David, with the support of the clergy of the Kruševac Diocese. The event was attended by members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, state and city officials, representatives of public companies and institutions, Serbian Orthodox Church, veterans’ associations, and numerous citizens of Kruševac.
