Celebration of the Feast of Saint Sava began on the eve of the Feast by a vigil service at the Faculty church. The vigil service was concelebrated by numerous presbyters and deacons, and attended by guests and students of the Faculty.
On the very day of the Feast the Holy Liturgy was celebrated by the Vicar Bishop of the Serbian Patriarch, the Right Reverend Bishop of Toplica, Kyr Arsenije, and concelebrated by protopresbyter-staurophoros Predrag Puzović, Th.D., the Faculty Dean, protopresbyter-staurophoros Darko Djogo, Th.D., Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Foča, and numerous presbyters and deacons of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology with the participation of distinguished guests and a large number of Faculty students.
Saint Sava Day Academy, held in the grand amphitheatre of the Faculty, was initiated by the troparion to Saint Sava sung by the Faculty of Orthodox Theology choir directed by deacon Dragan Ašković, Ph.D.
Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, protopresbyter-staurophoros Predrag Puzović, Th.D., then extended his welcome to all guests including those most distinguished: His Holiness Kyr Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, Mr. Tomislav Nikolić, President of the Republic of Serbia, the Right Reverend Bishop of Toplica, Kyr Arsenije, Monsignor Stanislav Hočevar, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Belgrade, Mr. Miodrag Popović, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Finance and Organization at the University of Belgrade, Mrs. Nada Kovačević, Ph.D., Vice-Rector for Education at the University of Belgrade, Mr. Mileta Radivojević, Director of the Office for Cooperation with Churches and Religious Communities of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Dr.Sc. Slavko Slišković, Vice-Dean of the University of Zagreb Catholic Theological Faculty heading a delegation of this Faculty, Dr. Stanko Gerjolj, professor of the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Theology, also heading a delegation of his Faculty, protopresbyter-staurophoros Darko Djogo, Th.D., Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Foča, protopresbyter-staurophoros Savo Jović, Ph.D., secretary of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and other numerous guests.
Dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, protopresbyter-staurophoros Predrag Puzović, Th.D., then informed the assembly of the dynamic academic life of the Faculty in 2014: seven candidates have gained the title of Doctor of Theology, one has gained the title of Master of Theology, and 240 students have graduated after completing their basic studies.
Saint Sava Academy program continued with the presentation of diplomas to all students of the Faculty who had graduated during the previous year. Students with extraordinary academic achievements were presented with special awards. The title of the most distinguished student was awarded to Mr. Vladimir Stevanović (average grade 9,32 out of 10). The Dean then awarded Charters of Saint Sava to the following deserving personalities: Mr. Petar Bošković, Mr. Dragan Baltovski, and Mr. Dragutin Milošević.
His Holiness Kyr Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, briefly greeted all distinguished guests and expressed his joy that Saint Sava was again being celebrated by all educational establishments in Serbia.
Mr. Tomislav Nikolić, President of the Republic of Serbia, initially read out a segment from the Sermon of Saint Sava and then particularly stressed the need for all students of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology to follow the shining example as given to us all by Saint Sava.
Other distinguished guests also greeted the assembly, congratulated the Feast, and expressed their best wishes for the future successful work of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of the University of Belgrade.
This year’s Saint Sava Day sermon, entitled “Saint Sava Tradition and Education”, was delivered by protopresbyter-staurophoros Dragomir Sando, Th.D., Vice-Dean for Scholarly Activities, and Associate Professor of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology.
There followed a brief theatrical and musical program presented by renowned Serbian artists - opera singer Mrs. Jadranka Jovanović, actor Mr. Tihomir Arsić, piper Mr. Bora Dugić, and the “Singing Society Stanković”.
Saint Sava Day Academy was concluded with the traditional singing of the Saint Sava Hymn by all gathered.