Novak Djokovic awarded with the highest distinction of the Serbian Church

His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch awarded today on April 28, 2011 in the Serbian Patriarchate in Belgrade the order of St. Sava of the First Degree to Mr. Novak Djokovic, the prominent sportsman from Belgrade.

On proposal of His Grace Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, the glorified Serbian tennis player was awarded with the highest distinction of the Serbian Orthodox Church for his active love towards Mother Church, particularly showed fervent and persistent helping the Serbian people and the sanctuaries of our Holy Church, especially in Kosovo and Metohija. This young Serb, the most outstanding athlete and ambassador of Serbia in the world, succeed with his own strength, charm and sincerity to properly witness the holy evangelical message of peace and love among people and solidarity with the victims, not only in the Serbian lands, but throughout the world.

The solemn reception, besides the members of the Djokovic family, was attended by Their Graces Bishops, the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church: Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral and Bishops Irinej of Backa and Fotije of Dalmatia. The handing of the order was attended by Their Graces Bishops Lavrentije of Sabac, Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, Atanasije of Hvosno, Porfirije of Jegar, as well as Mladjan Djordjevic, the Adviser to the President of the Republic of Serbia.