Trieste: Order of Karađorđe's Star 3rd class awarded to the Parson of the Saint Spyridon Church

29. Oct 2022.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Trieste organised a ceremony of awarding the Order of Karađorđe's Star 3rd class to the Archpriest-Stavrophor Father Raško Radović, the long-time Parson of the Saint Spyridon Church in Trieste, Deputy Pontiff of the Eparchy of Austria and Switzerland and Eparchy of Italy and Malta.

He was nominated for this state medal, which is awarded each year on the Statehood Day by President of Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, by Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in Trieste Ivana Stojiljković, and supported by the Serbian diaspora in Trieste.

Consul General Stojiljković talked about the importance of the life’s work of the parson from Trieste, who had not only preserved and expanded the Serbian parish in Trieste, but was also the initiator and founder of all today’s Orthodox churches and new places of worship in the territory of the Italian Republic: in Rome, Milan, Vicenza, Udine and Porcia. She stressed that the Parson was preserving and fostering the spiritual and cultural identity and integrity of the small Serbian Orthodox community, as well as integrating it into a new environment.

The ceremony of awarding the medal in the Consulate was attended by Bishop Andrej of Austria-Switzerland. He praised this initiative and said it confirmed the honest cooperation between the Church and the state, for the benefit of the Serbian people.

On behalf of the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality, its President Zlatimir Selaković gave a speech. He said that this was a historical moment for the rich Serbian cultural heritage and that today, more than ever over the previous two centuries, we were witnessing a confirmation of good relations and mutual respect between institutions which work for the same goal, to foster the Orthodox spirit, tradition and faith.

President of the Association of Serbs of Italy Dušan Aleksić highlighted the rich life’s work of parson Raško Radović, who had encouraged them for decades by his example and his prayers. He also praised the Consulate General for fostering close relations with the diaspora.

Archpriest-Stavrophor Father Raško very emotionally expressed his gratitude for this award, and recalled all the people who had helped him on his path.
The official part of the ceremony ended with a ten-minute documentary film about the life of Father Raško and his significant meetings and activities, followed by a musical performance by the folklore troupe SKUD Pontes-Mostovi.