Vucic: Serbia is not in an easy situation, but despite the challenges, like Saint Sava - it chooses freedom and sovereignty

The central solemn ceremony marking the Day of Saint Sava, the national holiday of the Serbs in North Macedonia, was held tonight at the Macedonian National Theatre. President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated that Serbia today, much like Saint Sava 800 years ago, is facing a choice, but even in this challenging situation, despite all the challenges, like the first Serbian enlightener, it chooses - freedom, sovereignty, and independence.

Addressing the attendees at the Macedonian National Theatre, Vucic said that he is very happy to be in Skopje tonight as the first president of Serbia at the St. Sava celebration, which he views as a special obligation and responsibility for the future.

He pointed out that St. Sava is rightfully called the father of the church and school, adding that what connects all his determinations, both among themselves and with us today, is just one word – choice.

"From the first Rastko's to the last Sava's, to secure successors for both the state and the church and to withdraw. History shows that nothing has changed. Today, our path depends on the choice – whether we will choose freedom or someone else's servitude, independence or vassalage, sovereignty or subjugation. Today, our country is not in an easy situation, but regardless of the weight of the challenges, Serbia has chosen the path of freedom, sovereignty, and independence," said Vucic.

He emphasized that Serbia is on the European path but is also the only militarily neutral country, fiercely guarding its neutrality and not allowing others to protect its freedom, sky, and land.

"It is not easy to maintain such a position, it is not easy to stay on the European path and not give up traditional friends and turn away from them in difficult times, not belong to the chorus of all those who joined the hunt against them… But, like St. Sava, we choose ways to achieve our goals, with clear lessons that peace and unity are the basic conditions for our survival and development," noted the President of Serbia.

As he pointed out, in turbulent times, Sava knew about turbulent moves, but only when necessary for preserving unity and peace.

"He knew that politics is the art of the possible, so he sought the crown in the West and the archbishopric in the East," reminded Vucic.

He particularly highlighted that St. Sava chose what we must choose today - schools and laws, learning and order, a strong organization, and the creation of personnel.

"Freedom will not mean much if we do not learn what it is. Today, slavery is based on ignorance and missing opportunities that knowledge brings. St. Sava knew this. And eight centuries later, the same obligation is upon us, to build the future with knowledge, to create generations better than us, and to leave them a wide field of knowledge from which they can reap fantastic fruits," said Vucic.

He added that St. Sava is the foundation of our civilization, a personality that had the greatest influence on the Serbian people.

"With the mother and God, we invoke St. Sava; everything good that someone has done in the Serbian nation is interwoven with his influence, and today we repay the debt to him, at least partially, by building schools, faculties...," said Vucic.

He also emphasized that Macedonians are the closest people to Serbs.

"We have no closer ones than them, that's something we don't hide. We ask nothing from North Macedonia, we just wish for even better and closer relations, for you to accept our brotherly extended hand," added the President of Serbia.

Serbia, he added, does not ask for any changes to the Constitution from North Macedonia, as it considers it an internal matter.

He stressed that the only unsurpassed valid law among the Serbs is the Law Code or Nomokanon.

"Our Krmčija (one of the names) that Sava wrote for us, precisely with it, we navigate the murky seas of spiritual and life challenges today, and I hope we don't make mistakes," emphasized the President of Serbia. He added that even when they make mistakes, they try to rise immediately, just as St. Sava knew how to do.

President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski emphasized that today is dedicated to the great spiritual leader and enlightener Saint Sava, who created enduring values.

"The priority of the Macedonian state is nurturing the common life of all minorities. The Serbian community is an integral part of Macedonian society," Pendarovski stated, thanking the Serbs for their significant contributions to Macedonian society.

According to him, there are numerous examples of cooperation, both symbolic and practical

"Serbia and the Serbian Orthodox Church have a practical stance, as evidenced by granting the tomos to the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric," Pendarovski said, recalling Serbia's assistance during the COVID crisis when a large number of citizens from North Macedonia came to Serbia to get vaccinated.

"This St. Sava Academy is also a good example of building bridges between our peoples. Congratulations on the national day of the Serbs, and I wish you much joy and happiness," Pendarovski conveyed.

Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski congratulated on the day of one of the greatest Serbs in history, who, as he said, was the spiritual creator of the idea of Serbian statehood.

"This day obliges us to unity, to spread love. By celebrating St. Sava, we celebrate lasting values that will endure for generations. Macedonia is a safe home for all who live in it," Kovacevski said.

He mentioned that the relations between our countries are stronger than ever, and with the President of Serbia, they have developed great ideas, such as the "Open Balkan" initiative.

He shared with the audience that his great-grandmother left a legacy to his grandmother to go to church every St. Sava Day to bless a cake, which she had to share with children.

"There is a force in St. Sava that my grandmother Veronika left as a legacy to her children, and we will pass on that legacy to our descendants. Happy St. Sava's Day to the Serbian community in Macedonia," Kovacevski said.

Nenad Stevandic, the President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska, said that St. Sava first reconciled brothers and then reconciled us with neighbors.

"It is a difficult task, awaited for up to eight centuries, and the President of Serbia is doing it today. I hope the future will never separate us again," Stevandic said.

The ceremony began with the performance of the anthems of Serbia and North Macedonia.

Ivan Stoilkovic, President of the Democratic Party of Serbs in North Macedonia and the Organizing Committee of the solemn academy, welcomed the guests, stating that in all previous celebrations, he and his colleagues have woven a lot of love, understanding, self-sacrifice, work, everything a person can offer, which is why they are proud of all the academies so far.

"But, this academy tonight is certainly the best of all so far because someone saw that everything we do has an effect both in the Macedonian public and among the Serbian people living in North Macedonia," Stoilkovic said.

He emphasized that President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic has been the general patron of the event for the past few years, and this year he attended the academy, marking the first time in history that the President of Serbia visited Serbs in Macedonia.

"You could not have given us a greater recognition," Stoilkovic said, welcoming President Vucic and describing him as the undisputed leader of the Serbian people.

He also greeted Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Nenad Stevandic, and all others.

Highlighting the significance of St. Sava Day for Serbs, Stoilkovic said that the story of St. Sava lasts for centuries and never ends.

"Thank you, St. Sava, for gathering us to tell the story about us, about him, so that future generations can continue that story," Stoilkovic concluded.

After the speeches, a cultural and artistic program followed.

St. Sava's Day, on January 27th, has been the national holiday of Serbs since 2007, and the central ceremony is held annually in Skopje.

This year, the "Svetosavska Nedelja" (St. Sava Week) program was established, during which a series of activities related to the four St. Sava academies in Kumanovo, Skopje, Tetovo, and Bitola are implemented.

The Days of St. Sava event in North Macedonia started on January 25th and will last until February 4th.