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\n Gold medalist Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses for photographers with his medal at the presentation ceremony for the men's singles tennis event on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Aug. 4, 2024. \/ Credit: Miguel Medina\/AFP \/Getty Images<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
CNA Staff, Aug 6, 2024 \/ 14:15 pm (CNA).<\/p>\n
Novak Djokovic on Sunday became the first tennis player in a dozen years, male or female, to complete a tennis \u201cGolden Slam,\u201d winning all four major annual tournaments and an Olympic gold medal.<\/p>\n
The 37-year-old Serb, considered by many the greatest male tennis player in history, defeated the young Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz to win the gold at the Paris Olympics.<\/a> <\/p>\n Many Catholics took note of the fact that an elated Djokovic made the sign of the cross several times after winning the match \u2014 but you may also have noticed that he did the sign of the cross from right to left, rather than the typical Catholic left to right.<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic, a devout Orthodox Christian, gets down on his hands and knees to thank God after his victory at the Paris Olympics. \u00e2\u0153\u009d\u00ef\u00b8\u008f\u00f0\u0178\u00a5\u2021<\/p>\n The Serbian tennis champion, has won his first Olympic gold medal, after competing in 5 separate Olympic Games. pic.twitter.com\/shsTXXu3MK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Oli London (@OliLondonTV) August 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js<\/a><\/p>\n Djokovic is a Serbian Orthodox Christian<\/a>. The sign of the cross is rich with meaning for all Christians,<\/a> including Catholics, but the Orthodox practice, which is arguably more ancient, adds additional levels of meaning. <\/p>\n According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the very earliest Christian practice appears to be the tracing of the sign of the cross of one\u2019s forehead, which later evolved into the practice of making a sign of the cross across a larger portion of the body. St. Basil (329\u2013379) \u043f\u0438\u0441\u0430\u043b<\/a> that the apostles \u201ctaught us to mark with the sign of the cross those who put their hope in the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n When Catholics do the sign of the cross today, they cross themselves with their hand starting at the top, going down, and then from left to right. When Orthodox Christians do the sign of the cross<\/a>, they start at the top, go down, and then from right to left. <\/p>\n Many Orthodox sources say part of the reason that the sign of the cross is done in this direction is because during the Orthodox Divine Liturgy \u2014 the equivalent of the Mass \u2014 the Orthodox priest does the sign of the cross from left to right, facing the people, who copy his movements in mirror image. That said, the exact reasons for the differences<\/a> are ancient and not entirely clear<\/a> even to the Orthodox themselves.<\/p>\n There\u2019s another level of meaning in the Orthodox sign of the cross, though, that is more readily documented. The Orthodox hold their hand with the index and middle fingers and thumb together, a symbol of the three persons of the Holy Trinity \u2014 the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit \u2014 together as one God. The two fingers, ring and pinky, that remain down symbolize the two natures of Jesus: fully human and fully divine.<\/p>\n Djokovic was brought up in the Serbian Orthodox Church, which claims the majority of the country\u2019s citizens and several million members worldwide. He grew up during a tumultuous time in the region and survived the wars between the Yugoslavian states. <\/p>\n In 2011, Djokovic was awarded<\/a> the Serbian Orthodox Church\u2019s highest honor \u201cfor his active love toward Mother Church, particularly fervent and persistent helping [of] the Serbian people and the sanctuaries of our Holy Church.\u201d <\/p>\n He has donated several million dollars to the Serbian public health system and to charities run by the Serbian Orthodox Church. <\/p>\n \u201cThis is the most important title of my life, because before being an athlete, I am an Orthodox Christian,\u201d he said upon receiving the award. <\/p>\n Despite Djokovic\u2019s frequent displays of a cross necklace, performance of the sign of the cross, and talk of God,<\/a> a 2015 biography<\/a> of Djokovic opined that \u201c[i]t would wrong to suggest that he is devoutly religious, but the ritualistic role the church plays in the life of Serbia is sufficiently strong that it is very much a part of his life.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, the tennis champ has shown himself to be a person animated by love of neighbor. He runs the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which primarily focuses on rebuilding preschools and supporting teachers and parents of young schoolchildren. And in 2017, he opened a restaurant in Serbia that provides free food to the homeless. <\/p>\n\n
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Djokovic\u2019s Christian history<\/h2>\n