The Serbian tennis legend's relationship with religion is well known, and he often emphasises his Orthodox faith.
Disregarding the edicts of the times, Novak Djokovic, at every opportunity, speaks about Orthodoxy and has not hidden his strong ties with the church.
Even at the time when everyone had turned against him when he had refused to be vaccinated (explaining that he is not generally anti-vaccination but wants to be sure before putting any substance into his body) and had starred in the incredible... soap opera of Melbourne, returning to Europe, he found almost immediately in Montenegro and the Ostrog Monastery which is dedicated to Saint Basil.
Almost two years later, Nole found himself in the same monastery again, this time not for contemplation and tranquillity but to baptise his two children: 9-year-old Stefan and 6-year-old Tara.
Their age may surprise many. However, it is common for children to be baptised much older to understand what exactly is happening. With his family and very few friends, Djokovic watched Stefanos and Tara officially become Christians with the sacrament performed by Serbian Patriarch Porfirije.
The patriarch of the Serbian church (who between 1986-1990 did post-graduate studies at the University of Athens and in 2004 was awarded a Doctor of the Theological School of Athens) is a fan of Greece and sports, often sending his messages (via social media!) to his homeland, as well as his fellow athletes who are doing great things around the world.
Godfather of the children was Neven Markovic, a veteran soccer player with a brief stint in Greece for Kerkira, who is Djokovic's childhood friend.
NOVAK ĐOKOVIĆ STIGAO U PODGORICU: SLAVI KRŠTENJE DJECE
➡️ Najbolji teniser svih vremena, Novak Đoković je nakon krštenja svoje djece, Stefana (9) i Tare (6), u manastiru Ostrog, priredio ručak u restoranu "Knjaz" u Podgorici.
Čin krštenja obavio je patrijarh Porfirije. pic.twitter.com/2NstMrQPRb
— Berane online (@beraneonline) October 22, 2023
Nole was his best man at his wedding, strengthening their connection.
As we mentioned above, the baptism took place in privacy, but with the monastery of Ostrog visited daily by thousands of believers, it was impossible to remain... hidden.
And Djokovic, although he would have liked some privacy in this particular .five Moment, did not say no to his few fans who asked him for a selfie...
See the video:
Novak Djokovic, as always, taking the time to take photos and interact with fans at Monastery Ostrog.
Both Stefan and Tara were christened there yesterday 🙏🏼☦️ pic.twitter.com/p7irXVMlg3
— Ana (@_anatc0) October 23, 2023
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