„Kosovo and Metohija is both our home and our heaven, for Heaven is anchored in this Land“, Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church, said in Gracanica today. The patriarch underlined that the heritage of Vidovdan should be celebrated in prayer and the knowledge that people need each other regardless of how they pray and to what nation they belong. He also congratulated the Muslim community who are celebrating Eid al-Adha today.
Serbs are celebrating Vidovdan holiday today. This Vidovdan, however, for the first time in more than two decades, the traditional memorial service was not held at Gazimestan. Instead, a memorial service dedicated to the heroes of Kosovo, on the 634th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo, was organized in the Gracanica monastery.
The Diocese of Raska-Prizren decided to change the location of the memorial service due to, as they say, a very difficult situation in Kosovo.
„This is the first time since the end of the armed conflict in 1999 that such a decision has been made, which only shows how serious the current situation is, but also our complete distrust in the existing institutions in Pristina, which, unfortunately, brought inter-ethnic relations in Kosovo and Metohija to the lowest level in the last 24 years,“ they said in a statement, adding:
„Our people are currently living in uncertainty security-wise and a sense of a complete absence of basic rights and freedoms, especially following the latest series of arrests and abuse of Serbs in custody.“
Today, thousands of Serbs from all over Kosovo, but also from Montenegro, Republika Srpska and Serbia proper gathered in the Gracanica monastery today.
„If, brothers and sisters, we can understand the word of Christ anywhere, if we can understand the Gospel of Christ anywhere, if we can be close to the truth of Christ anywhere, if we can understand what God’s justice is anywhere, if we can recognize who we are anywhere – that’s Kosovo and Metohija,“ said the patriarch.
Where there is heaven, there is room for everyone, he said.
He added that if people „design their lives“ with faith and prayer, then „God will make it so that all people need each other, regardless of how they pray to God and regardless of what nation they belong to.“
According to the patriarch, Vidovdan is a joyful day.
„Because we are all created in God’s image and likeness. Everyone is invited to come to learn God’s truth. That, brothers and sisters, is our Vidovdan heritage! Look what kind of day it is today! See what kind of day the Lord has arranged! A joyful day, Widow’s Day, the day when we celebrate the Holy Prince Lazar and the martyrs of Kosovo.“
The patriarch also reminded those in attendance of Kurban Bajram, which Muslims celebrate today.
„Today, our Muslim brothers celebrate Eid al-Adha. Praying for all the people of the world to our Lord and the martyrs of Kosovo, may the Lord give joy and peace to all people. Let’s congratulate from this place Eid al-Adha and all Muslim brothers in Kosovo and Metohija! May they also pray for peace in their souls with faith in God,“ the patriarch said from the Gracanica monastery.
„When we have peace in our souls and when they have peace in their souls, we will understand that Kosovo and Metohija is a holy land, just like Jerusalem is a holy land. There is a place here for all people and their shrines, regardless of how and in what way they pray to God. Kosovo and Metohija is a holy land where there is room for everyone, for every kind of prayer offered to God, and when the prayer is sincere, God’s blessing and grace will descend on the earth and all the people on it.“
He emphasized that the Church will never forget or abandon anyone, that it will pray for every soul, and that if there is peace in the soul, there will be peace among souls.
If the church forgets even a single soul, if it neglects to pray for a single soul, then what is its purpose
Earlier this morning, he served liturgy in Gracanica. Along with the monks and clergy of the Diocese of Raska-Prizren, the liturgy was attended by the Metropolitan of Montenegro Joanikije, Bishop of Mileseva Atanasije, Bishop of Slavonia Jovan, Bishop Sava of Marca, Bishop Nektarije of Jegar and Bishop Petar of Toplice.
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