On Tuesday, 23 December 2025, organized by the Section for Dialogue in the Public Sphere of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade–Karlovci, within the project “The Book as an Occasion for Dialogue,” a discussion entitled “What Do We (Not) Know About Mihajlo Pupin?” was held at the Cultural Centre of Čukarica. The discussion was prompted by the books Scientist, Inventor, Professor, Patriot — Mihajlo Idvorski Pupin: An Illustrated Monograph and Encyclopedia in Images: Mihajlo Pupin. The participants were Prof. Dr. Dragoljub Martinović and Prof. Dr. Dragoljub Cucić, with Presbyter Dr. Aleksandar Milojkov as the moderator.
During the discussion, numerous details were presented and perceptions exchanged regarding Mihajlo Pupin’s mother, Olimpijada, and her influence on her son, the future great scientist. Special emphasis was put on Mihajlo Pupin as a believer and an Orthodox Christian, on his understanding of the relationship between science and Christian faith, as well as on his relationship with Saint Nikolaj Velimirović and his philanthropic endeavours. Additionally, interesting details were presented concerning the alleged conflict between Mihajlo Pupin and Nikola Tesla, as well as the overall nature of their relationship.
At the conclusion of the discussion, it was emphasized that the greatness of Mihajlo Pupin is reflected in the integrity of his personality—his profound upbringing, perseverance, steadfastness, diligence, faith, and unwavering commitment. He was at once a brilliant scientist, a devoted member of the Serbian Orthodox Church, a patriot, and an important diplomat during some of the most difficult moments in the history of his Serbian homeland. For this reason, speaking about Mihajlo Pupin, especially to younger generations, is not merely a matter of education, but above all a matter of nurturng young minds—an important and increasingly neglected segment of the contemporary educational system. To speak about Pupin also means to highlight a healthy and exemplary paradigm capable of shaping the personality of the modern individual.
In his concluding remarks, Presbyter Dr. Aleksandar Milojkov emphasized that the content such as the lecture concerned should primarily be presented to pupils and students, while calling upon their teachers and professors to encourage and motivate them to engage with it.
