Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia attended the graduation ceremony of the 147th class of the Military Academy and the 12th class of the Faculty of Medicine of the Military Medical Academy on July 25, 2026, held at the General Jovan Mišković Barracks in Banjica, Belgrade. During the ceremony, 130 cadets were commissioned into the first officer ranks of the Serbian Armed Forces.
Following the ceremony, many of the newly commissioned officers, accompanied by their families and friends, approached the Patriarch to receive his blessing and commemorate the occasion with a photograph. Patriarch Porfirije congratulated them on completing their studies and joining the officer corps, encouraging them to carry out their service honorably, conscientiously, and with love for their people.
Expressing his joy at meeting the youngest officers of the Serbian Armed Forces, the Patriarch said it was a particular blessing to see young people who had chosen to dedicate their lives to serving their homeland, thereby continuing the heroic tradition of their distinguished forebears from the Battle of Kosovo to the present day. He prayed that the Lord would strengthen them in every good work and protect them throughout their responsible service.
Also attending the ceremony was Bishop Dositej, Military Bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Among those addressing the gathering were Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia and Commander-in-Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces, Brigadier General Prof. Dr. Boban Đorović, Rector of the University of Defence, Second Lieutenant Predrag Đuričić, the top-ranked cadet of the Military Academy, and a pilot of the 101st Fighter Aviation Squadron, who, during a ceremonial MiG-29 flypast, delivered a message to the newly commissioned officers: “Walk the path of honor. Long live the Serbian Armed Forces! Long live Serbia!”
Source: Patriarchate of Serbia
