In Vranići, the ancestral home of the Novičić family, the Church of Saint Great Martyr George was solemnly consecrated as the family’s endowment—a work in which they wove their roots, faith, and family values for the benefit of the entire community.

The ceremony brought together family members, locals, friends, dignitaries, and numerous believers. The Divine Liturgy was served by His High Eminence Arsenije, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Niš and Administrator of Žiča, assisted by the clergy.

A sanctuary raised where the roots are

The Church of Saint Great Martyr George was built in the place from which the Novičić family originates, with the wish to preserve the memory of their family roots and values passed down through generations, and to become a place of gathering and prayer for all people in this region.

The ktitor (founder) of the church is Milisav Novičić, founder of the company Unipromet and one of the founders of the Unipromet Foundation, a key donor in the church’s construction.

For Vranići, this also means creating a place long missing in this area. As Milisav Novičić himself said during construction, the wish was for the sanctuary to be a blessing for the locals, the family, and travelers.

A work that connects generations

For the Novičić family, building the church is not merely the completion of a construction project, but an act through which the family story and values are passed on to new generations. In the church frescoes, immediately beside the entrance, the ktitors Milisav and Natalija Novičić are depicted before Saint George, holding a model of the church they raised.

Alongside their names, an inscription also preserves the names of family members and descendants. The church is dedicated to Saint Great Martyr George, the family patron saint (slava) of the Novičić family, while St. George’s Day (Đurđevdan) is also Milisav Novičić’s birthday.

Speaking about the significance of this day, Milisav’s daughter, Žaklina Bojović, emphasized that the church is an expression of gratitude to their ancestors and responsibility toward future generations:

“Our ancestors left us a name, faith, and roots; it is our duty to protect them and to leave behind a legacy worthy of those from whom we come.”

Her wish is for the church to be open to all: a space where new generations will be baptized, couples married, and prayers offered for the living and the departed.

Value that cannot be measured in numbers

A special place in this story belongs to the words of Nikola Bojović, Milisav’s grandson, who spoke on the day of consecration about the values his grandfather passed on to the family:

“Throughout his life, Grandfather created many things that can be measured-in numbers, square meters, factories, and results. But there are things that cannot be measured: the family he brought together, the values he instilled in us, the people he helped, and the legacy he leaves to his community.”

Precisely this idea-that the value of what we create lies not only in what remains for us, but also in what we can give to others-connects this family endowment with the principles of social responsibility that the Unipromet Foundation nurtures through its work.

Support for a work that belongs to the community

For the Unipromet Foundation, supporting the construction of the Church of Saint Great Martyr George represents part of its responsibility toward the community and toward values of lasting significance.

As an organization directing its activities toward supporting families, inclusion, and improving quality of life in the community, the Unipromet Foundation believes that special value lies in works that bring people together, preserve what is important, and leave space for new generations.

This church, therefore, is not only the endowment of one family. It is a place that will belong to all who enter: to pray, baptize their children, marry, find peace, or pause in silence.