Belgrade, 26 June 2026 \u2013 In the beautiful setting of the garden of the Archiepiscopal Residence in Belgrade, the National Day of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Serbia was celebrated on the occasion of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, the Order\u2019s patron saint.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s celebration carried particular significance, as it coincided with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Sovereign Order of Malta, marking a quarter of a century of fruitful cooperation based on the values of solidarity, dialogue, and assistance to those most in need.<\/p>\n
The celebration began with a Holy Mass at the Co-Cathedral of Christ the King, presided over by His Excellency Archbishop Santo Gangemi, Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Serbia. The Holy Mass concluded with the singing of the Salve Regina before the venerated icon of Our Lady of Philermos, a historic symbol of the Order\u2019s spirituality and tradition.<\/p>\n
The subsequent official reception was attended by Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alexander and Princess Katarina Kara\u0111or\u0111evi\u0107, representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Serbia, the diplomatic corps accredited in Belgrade, international organizations, religious communities, academic community and civil society. The occasion provided an important opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past 25 years of bilateral relations and to reaffirm the shared commitment to humanitarian assistance, social cooperation, and the protection of human dignity.<\/p>\n
Following the national anthems, His Excellency Francesco Maria Amoruso, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Serbia, emphasized that the Order\u2019s diplomatic activity is entirely at the service of its humanitarian mission. Referring to the concept of \u201chumanitarian diplomacy,\u201d he underlined the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity as essential tools for building bridges between peoples and institutions and for responding concretely to the needs of the most vulnerable. He also recalled the guiding principles of the Order\u2019s action worldwide, as well as its centuries-long contribution to populations affected by conflict, emergencies, and poverty.<\/p>\n
Among the initiatives marking the anniversary of diplomatic relations, the Ambassador also highlighted the publication of a volume dedicated to the history of the Sovereign Order of Malta, its humanitarian diplomacy and 25 years of presence and activity in Serbia. The book was presented at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, in the presence of H.E. Nikola Selakovi\u0107, Minister of Culture, and Hon. Jovan Palali\u0107, Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the Sovereign Order of Malta.<\/p>\n
A special highlight was also the philatelic exhibition opened at the Postal Museum of Serbia, in the presence of the Acting Director General of the Serbian Post Office, Zoran An\u0111elkovi\u0107, and the Director of the Museum, Marko Jeli\u0107. The exhibition, organized on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Magistral Post Office, offers visitors the opportunity to explore, through documents and exhibits of exceptional historical and cultural value, one of the most significant expressions of the Order\u2019s tradition and sovereignty. The exhibition will remain open to the public until 1 September.
\nDuring his address, Ambassador Amoruso also presented an important humanitarian project funded by the Order of Malta Donors for Projects (OMDP) Foundation, implemented in cooperation with ADRA as executing partner and co-financed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The two-year programme will provide assistance to approximately one thousand people living in conditions of extreme vulnerability, through mobile hygiene units, basic healthcare services, and psychosocial support. The initiative aims to improve the quality of life of homeless people and those at risk of losing housing, while strengthening the local social support network.<\/p>\n
It was also announced that a Voluntary Rescue Corps of the Order of Malta in Serbia will be established, an initiative aimed at further strengthening response capacities in emergency situations and providing assistance to those in need, through volunteer training and the reinforcement of the Order\u2019s operational presence in the country.<\/p>\n
The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta expressed its deep gratitude to the authorities of the Republic of Serbia, donors, partner organizations, and all those who, through their support and cooperation, contribute daily to the implementation of the Order\u2019s humanitarian mission and to the strengthening of friendly relations between Serbia and the Sovereign Order of Malta.
\nAt the end of the ceremony, Ambassador Amoruso awarded, on behalf of His Most Eminent Highness Fra\u2019 John Dunlap, Prince and Grand Master, the Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Hon. Jovan Palali\u0107, in recognition of his longstanding support for the development of relations with the Sovereign Order of Malta.<\/p>\n
The evening concluded with a concert by soprano Sofia Maria Riva, accompanied by Maestro Gabriele Fumagalli, who presented a varied musical programme.
\nReaffirming its enduring commitment to peace, solidarity, and the protection of human dignity, the Sovereign Order of Malta looks with confidence to the future of its relations with the Republic of Serbia, continuing its centuries-old mission in accordance with its historic motto: Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum \u2013 the defence of the faith and service to the poor.<\/p>\n","news_gallery":"yes","news_gallery_elements":[{"id":5811,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/in-apertura.webp"},{"id":5814,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/libro.jpg"},{"id":5754,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-126.webp"},{"id":5766,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-171.webp"},{"id":5757,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-131.webp"},{"id":5760,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-134.webp"},{"id":5820,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-102.webp"},{"id":5808,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/img_1969.webp"},{"id":5751,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-103.webp"},{"id":5763,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-155.webp"},{"id":5769,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-186.webp"},{"id":5772,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-187.webp"},{"id":5775,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-194.webp"},{"id":5778,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-205.webp"},{"id":5781,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/64.webp"},{"id":5784,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/01-scaled.jpg"},{"id":5787,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/02.jpg"},{"id":5790,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/03.jpg"},{"id":5793,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/04-scaled.jpg"},{"id":5796,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/05-scaled.jpg"},{"id":5799,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/32.webp"},{"id":5802,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/96.webp"},{"id":5805,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/116.webp"},{"id":5817,"url":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2026\/07\/suvereni-malteski-red-2026-65.webp"}],"news_excerpt":"In the beautiful setting of the garden of the Archiepiscopal Residence in Belgrade, the National Day of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in Serbia was celebrated on the occasion of the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, the Order\u2019s patron saint.","focus_on":"no","breaking":"yes","evidence":"yes","hidden_news":"no","cover_image_copyrighted":false},"news_categories":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/5823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/5823\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5824,"href":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/5823\/revisions\/5824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}