His body was buried at noon Giorgos (George) Mihailovichthe legendary guardian of the Serbian sector of the Cemeteries in the place where he called his home for over 60 years, ta Allied Cemeteries of Zeitenlikand in the same grave where his father and grandfather have been resting for decades.

He passed away last Sunday and spread sadness. Having “inherited” the position of guard from his father Tzouras, who had inherited this position from his own father, Savva, Giorgos Mihailovic had one last wish, to be buried with his ancestors, wearing the traditional Serbian military uniform.

His wish was fulfilled with special permission of the Greek authorities the burial of his body took place in Zeitenlik with due honors, in the presence of his wife and other relatives, friends, people who traveled from Serbia to say their last goodbyes as well as high-ranking officials, such as the Minister of Labor and Social Insurance of of Serbia (responsible for war veterans) Nikola Selaković as well as the president of the Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik.

The exodus service was sung by the Metropolitan of Neapolis and Stavroupolis Mr. Varnavas and Serbian priests, while the Deputy Minister of the Interior (Macedonia and Thrace) Stathis Konstantinidis and the mayor of Neapolis – Sykeon Simos Danielidis, who had honored the deceased for his contribution, were also present. special ceremony in 2016.

Mihailovic

Soil from Serbia, Republika Srpska and Montenegro for the final farewell

Braving the hot sun, all those who turned up at noon at Zeitenlik Allied Cemeteries to say their last goodbyes to the legendary watchman listened with emotion to the funeral eulogies from Serbian minister and the president of the Bosnian Serb Republic.

A little later, his Serbian flag-draped coffin, which was carried by the Serbian presidential guard to the burial site, covered soil from the Greek land but also from Serbia, Republika Srpska and Montenegrowhich the Serbian delegation had carefully transported in three separate jars.

“George Mihajlovic was our employee, custodian of the Serbian sector of the Cemeteries for more than six decades, like his father and before that his grandfather, who was a Serb from the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska) in present-day Montenegro (ss .there and the jar with the soil from there) […] It was a landmark, a reference point for all who came here to pay their respects to the more than 8,000 Serbian soldiers who rest in this cemetery. George kept the flame of memory alive and welcomed young people from Serbia with joy to pass on knowledge about a part of their history,” Serbian Minister Nikola Selakovic told APE-MPE after the funeral, characterizing honor the fact that it was claimed, as he said, to represent the Serbs in the path of a man “who was a symbol”.

He also thanked the Greek government and especially the Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias, for all the facilities they provided to enable the burial in the Allied Cemeteries of Zeitenlik.

In the same vein, the president of the Republika Srpska called “Uncle George”, as the Serbs affectionately call him, a symbol of the people in the Republika Srpska and Serbia and regardless of the fact that he has been gone for a few days, his death is sad news, he said .

“I am here,” noted Mr. Dodik, “to honor him in the name of the people of Republika Srpska and to express my condolences to his family. George Mihailovic will always be the symbol of our eternal existence here, in this cemetery, the grave of our soldiers who fell fighting for freedom.”

The news of his death in Serbia

The news of the death of Giorgos (George) Mihailovich, who received Serbian citizenship in 2020became known through a post by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic on social media and became a central topic in most media outlets.

Among other things, the deceased had been honored in 2014, during his visit to Thessaloniki, by the then Patriarch of Serbia Irenaios by awarding him the medal of Saint Sava of the Serbian Church, while in 2021, the then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia had awarded him the award ” Mother Serbia”.

The current Serbian Patriarch Porfirios, in his post, as soon as the news of Mihajlovic’s death became known, said: “Throughout his life, Uncle George was a valuable example for every person who loves his people and does not forget his sacrifices . In daily life, this pious elder showed a wise understanding of true values, hospitality and devotion. His departure will certainly be felt, but the hope that he is in the arms of God strengthens us and encourages us to follow the bright examples of our generation. The Zeitenlik military cemetery acquired another hero, George Mihailovic. May his memory live forever!”.