Serbian school prayer — A prayer for first-grade students from 1906, compiled by Djuro Popović and published in Cetinje, offers a glimpse into the educational and cultural values of early 20th-century Serbia. The text, titled ‘Prayer,’ was featured in a textbook for elementary schools and emphasizes devotion, diligence, and a strong sense of national and religious belonging.

The prayer invokes divine assistance for a successful start to the school year, asking for ease in studies and strength to learn. It specifically requests the cultivation of love for fellow students, and for all within the ‘Serbian circle,’ with a particular emphasis on cherishing the Serbian church and school.

This historical document, shared by the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral on September 1, 2026, reflects a period where religious instruction and national consciousness were deeply intertwined in Serbian education. The prayer’s content underscores the importance placed on faith and national identity in shaping young minds during that era.