World No. 2 Novak Djokovic was honoured with the Order of Saint Sava of the first degree Thursday, the highest decoration awarded by the Serbian Orthodox Church for his generosity and dedication to the religion. The distinction was presented by His Holiness, Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus.
At the suggestion of His Grace Bishop of Raska-Prizren Teodosija, Djokovic was recognised for his passion for the church, displayed through his committed and persistent help for Serbian people and the sanctuaries of the Holy Church, particularly in Kosovo and Metohija.
"This award is certainly the most important I’ve ever got," said Djokovic. "As an athlete and a religious person, it is hard for me to find appropriate words to describe my feelings of gratitude for the confidence I gain from the Holy Synod. I can only say that it can be earned only with hard work and self-belief, belief in your loved ones and in God."
In addition to Djokovic’s family, the formal reception 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 Forije of Dalmatia. The handing of the order was observed by Their Graces Bishops 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.
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