On February 23, 2024, Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia awarded the Order of Saint Sava to Professor Dragoš Stojanović, the director of the Zemun Clinical and Hospital Center, in recognition of the institution’s 240 years of dedicated service to healthcare.
“I have the immense blessing and honor to present to you the highest award of our holy Church, and through you to all who work in this hospital, but also to all those who worked and put their efforts for the benefit of all those who came to this health facility for 240 years. We awarded this award by the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops primarily because this place is a holy place for us, and primarily because all those who have worked here in the previous 240 years or are working today have upheld the fundamental principle of treating every individual as a neighbor, irrespective of their nationality, religion, gender, or age,” remarked the Patriarch.
The Patriarch went on to say, “For over two and a half centuries, this institution has been the embodiment of the Gospel of Christ and a testament to those who have dedicated their knowledge and skills to healing both the body and the soul. It truly brings to life the profound meaning of the well-known Latin adage, which in its full sense reminds us that a healthy mind dwells within a healthy body.”
“The complete phrase by Juvenal, “Mens sana in corpore sano” (“A healthy mind in a healthy body”), resonates deeply with the work and dedication of doctors and medical staff. They not only tend to the physical well-being of their patients but also contribute to their mental and emotional health. May God grant all those who tirelessly work and care for others in this hospital continued health and wisdom, so they can bear their own cross and those of others. Through their dedication, they reflect the image of Christ, who calls upon us to bear one another’s burdens. Congratulations once more. May God’s blessings be upon all of you and upon all humanity,” concluded the Patriarch.
In a decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, which was read by archpriest Đorđe Stojisavljević, head of the Cabinet of the Serbian Patriarch, it was announced that the Clinical and Hospital Center Zemun would be awarded the Order of Saint Sava, the highest distinction of the Serbian Orthodox Church, in celebration of its 240th anniversary. This recognition was given for the institution’s contributions to healthcare, education, and science, embodying the principles of Christian love and self-sacrifice.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures from the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the University of Belgrade, and the City of Belgrade.
The Zemun hospital, established in 1784, is Serbia’s oldest medical facility. Remarkably, it installed a new X-ray machine in 1901, just a year after the Nobel Prize recognized the discovery of X-rays. Over its two and a half centuries of existence, this institution has significantly advanced medical science in the country, serving as a critical site for renowned Serbian medical professionals to treat patients. Since December 31, 1983, it has been officially known as the Clinical Hospital Center Zemun.
Source / Photos: spc.sr
