ONCE TOP STUDENT AT CETINJE SEMINARY, TODAY THE BEST STUDENT AT ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY

THESSALONIKI, OCTOBER 14 /SRNA/ – Matija Minić, from Podgorica, has received an award for the best student in the 2024/2025 academic year at the Faculty of Theology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The award was presented to Minić, a former top student of the Cetinje Seminary, by Greece`s Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, at a ceremony in Athens. Matija told the Media System of Republika Srpska – SRNA that the award represents an incentive to continue his studies, a major boost of encouragement, and confirmation that every effort and every bit of hard work pays off. "The foundation on which I built my theological education was laid at the Seminary of Saint Peter of Cetinje in Cetinje. I owe a great debt of gratitude to my professors, heded by the rector, Father Gojko Perović, and Father Blagoje Rajković, because they showed me that the path I should follow is one of disciplined work and glorifying Christ at all times and in all places, with the Kingdom of Heaven as its ultimate goal," Minić said. Matija explained that, in their pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven, the seminarians in Cetinje spent every day in the presence of the relics of Saint Peter of Cetinje, the right hand of Saint John the Baptist, and a fragment of the True Cross, singing during the Divine Liturgy at Cetinje Monastery. "We had the honour of listening to the sermons and teachings of the late Metropolitan Amfilohije, who gave me his blessing to come to Greece, who I hope I have not disappointed," Minić said. Speaking about the award, Minić explained that it is presented by the Greek State Scholarships Foundation to top-performing students who have passed all their examinations within the prescribed time and achieved the highest grade-point average. He noted that this is a newly established award, which had previously been presented only to secondary school students who achieved the best results in national university entrance examinations. Matija expressed his gratitude to the Foundation’s president, Vassilliki Kinti. "I would like to point out that I am not the first top student from Montenegro at the Faculty of Theology in Thessaloniki. Before me, it was the current Vicar Bishop of Dioclea, Paisije, so in a way, I am simply continuing that good tradition," Minić said. He emphasized that he had been warmly welcomed in Greece, both by the professors at the Faculty and by the people he meets in everyday life. "That probably also influenced my decision to continue my studies in the master`s programme in Theology and Culture at the Faculty of Theology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The topic I have submitted is `Monastic Life in Montenegro: Its Origins, Course and Development`," Minić said. Matija expressed his gratitude for the blessing to continue his studies, given by His Eminence Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral, as well as to the Government of Greece, which awarded him a scholarship for his master’s studies. "I hope that, with God`s help and through the prayers of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, I will successfully complete what I have begun," Minić said. Following Matija’s achievement in Greece, the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral issued a statement, describing the award as the result of years of hard work, perseverance and a responsible attitude towards learning. The Metropolitanate noted that, during his education at the Seminary of Saint Peter of Cetinje in Cetinje, Minić stood out for his dedication, kindness and conscientious fulfillment of his duties. It emphasized that these same qualities accompanied Matija throughout his studies in Thessaloniki, where he demonstrated that his academic success during secondary education was firmly rooted in his character and his willingness to pursue continuous improvement. "Those who know him are aware that this achievement is the result of considerable effort, as well as a responsibility towards the gifts he has received. This award is therefore a well-deserved recognition of his work to date, while also serving as encouragement for the path that lies ahead," the Metropolitanate stated. Minić`s achievement, as emphasized, brings honour to the Church and the people, and is a particular source of joy for the Cetinje Seminary, where he acquired knowledge and laid the foundations of his theological education. The Metropolitanate congratulated Matija on this valuable recognition and expressed its wish that the award would provide additional encouragement for his continued work, effort and personal development, enabling him to use his knowledge to keep contributing to the Church and the community to which he belongs.