President Aleksandar Vučić has been awarded the Order of the New Martyrs of Bihać-Petrovac

At the start of the meeting, Vučić thanked Bishop Sergije for his visit.

Bishop Sergije said, "I would just like to say that we are always with you, in what you do for our people and for Motherland Serbia. We follow the struggle, here in Motherland of Serbia. We are certainly with you, always with Motherland of Serbia. We will not give up and we fight to preserve our borders and our holy sites."

Vučić inquired about the presence of Serbs throughout the eparchy, to which the bishop responded that they are persevering and hope to continue until the end. "Thank God and thank you, Motherland Serbia," he added. Vučić also asked whether the issue of the fishpond had been resolved. Bishop Sergije said, "It is not resolved; we hope to handle it," and noted that the owner is asking for a lot of money for the pond.

The conversation then turned to the situation in Grahovo. The bishop said there are about 70 Serbian children in school there, while in Bihać and Livno, there are almost none. Vučić spoke about his place of origin, noting that many sold their land, but his father did not. "He preserved the land, renovated one house; the larger one is impossible to be renovated. It stands in the center of the village, no one lives there. Neighbors inform us when authorities come to inspect," he said, adding that Muslim neighbors were good people and that, unlike with Croats, there were never problems with them, even after the war.

Bishop Sergije said he would do everything possible to establish a memorial center in Bihać, but Vučić replied that the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina would certainly not allow it. He emphasized, "Know that Serbia will always help its people, wherever they are."

"Thanks to you, we restored the ancient Rmanj Monastery. For that, you will be written in golden letters in the history of Krajina, which does not forget," the bishop told Vučić.

Address by Bishop Sergije of Diocese of Bihać-Petrovac 

“For all the acts of kindness you have done for us, the Serbs across the Drina, including our eparchy which for decades had been forgotten. True support was never there, because the areas of our eparchy were left at the mercy of those who drove us away. Thanks to you, we have restored the Rmanj sanctuary, something we could never have done without your help. For this, you will be written in golden letters in the history of Krajina, which remembers and does not forget. Krajina has not forgotten King Peter Karadjordjević either, who, as Petar Mrkonjić, fought alongside the insurgents,” said the bishop.

“Krajina has welcomed President Vučić, who, after King Peter Karadjordjević, remembered the people whom historical fate had brought to the brink of the abyss,” he added.

“Whether we will vanish depends on ourselves, but also on those who lead Serbia and Republika Srpska. Therefore, I ask you to help us in the struggle for survival in the regions where we have lived for centuries. The Church must be strong and resilient to endure. More must be done than we are currently doing, and the steps must be planned jointly. Every great achievement begins with small steps, so I hope you will have the understanding and goodwill to do everything we can so that future generations recognize us as those who saved the sanctities.”

“We hope you will lead the Republic of Serbia so that we may all be at peace in this turbulent historical moment,” the bishop added.

“Serbs and Serbia know this, everyone who cares about progress. We will not forget your acts of kindness; we remember and will always remember. That is why we decided to honor you with this order. The policy you lead has made the Serbian people a single unity, and we have recognized Serbia as our motherland. We hope it will remain so, that we will be one unified people, which would not be possible under those who would draw borders on the Drina,” he added.

“Every great achievement begins with small steps, so I hope you will have the understanding and goodwill to do everything we can so that future generations recognize us as those who saved the sanctities,” the bishop said, concluding: “Krajina welcomes you with open arms. Long live.”

Address by Aleksandar Vučić

Vučić began by recalling that Archimandrite Sava Trlajić suffered in the Rmanj Monastery at the hands of the Ustašas.

“They tortured him, and historical sources record that Father Sava showed exceptional bravery and steadfastness in the faith. He did not renounce his faith despite torture and pressure. He was canonized as a saint in 2000 and is commemorated with the Bihać-Petrovac New Martyrs. As the child of a father who didn't happen to know his own father, I know much about this eparchy. Brothers and sisters, holy fathers, with deep gratitude I received the news of this high honor. I do not accept this award as a personal elevation, but as a sign that we are all called to bear the burden of the times and serve Christ,” he said.

“In all the trials that accompany serving the Church and the nation, we take comfort that God does not send people suffering greater than they can endure. Suffering is a sign of God’s attention, not His wrath. When a person faces the weight of the cross, it is natural to ask why. Saint Nicholas teaches that at such times we must ask what God is trying to tell us. Without death, there is no resurrection,” Vučić added, emphasizing that the honor transcends any personal measure.

“I pray that the Lord multiplies the fruits of your eparchy’s work,” he said, adding that he wishes everyone peace, health, and spiritual joy.

“I also want to add this: the Serbian state helped, and all citizens are deserving because we have helped the Rmanj Monastery. We tried, and my family personally, to contribute even in a small way to the construction of every monastery and church, especially in regions where Serbs suffered, from Kosovo and Metohija to areas across the Drina. It seems to me that we have helped more churches—and even mosques—than ever before. Part of salvation is always in faith. Whoever loves God does not hate people. Thank you for always welcoming my sons, my father, my brother, and all family members, and we have always strived to contribute in some way. Regarding your needs and requests, we will always aim to respond positively. And I want to tell the people, with gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, who knows how to appreciate the state’s efforts, that the magnificent Temple of Saint Sava would not have been built for 100 years if we did not have the strength to do it. We did it out of love, faith, and hope for our people,” he said.

At the very end, Vučić asked the bishop to convey to the people of his eparchy that Serbia loves its people greatly, that we will always help them, and that they can always count on their motherland.