Petkovic in Banje, in Kosovo and Metohija on Orthodox Easter: "We're at home here, we're here to build peace"

From the village of Banje, here from the heart of Drenica, we greet the entire Serbian kind and congratulate the happiest Christian holiday, Easter, said Petkovic

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Dr. Petar Petkovic on Sunday, Orthodox Easter morning, together with Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija Teodosije and President of the Serb List Goran Rakic, attended a celebration of Easter and distribution of Easter eggs to children in the municipality of Srbica.

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Petkovic spoke with the locals of these two villages about the problems they face and the ways in which the Office can help them.

On that occasion, he wished a happy Christmas to the faithful, especially to the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija.

"From the village of Banje, here from the heart of Drenica, we greet the entire Serbian kind and congratulate the happiest Christian holiday, Easter. I also convey the greetings of President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic to all Orthodox believers, especially the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija. Easter, which is a symbol of victory of life over death, victory of meaning over meaninglessness, victory of hope over hopelessness, seems to me felt best here in the village of Banje, but also in Suvo Grlo, where our people managed to survive and remain thanks to the Church and the state of Serbia. Here, where we suffered a lot, where the Devic Monastery suffered a lot, we managed to preserve ourselves as a nation and celebrate Easter this year as well, and God willing we will celebrate it for many years and centuries, as we have celebrated it for many years and centuries in the past," said Petkovic.

He stressed that the most important thing is to build peace and a safe future.

"We are at home here, we are here to build peace, to talk to our children who represent the future survival of our people here, to talk to our locals, to see what else we can do as the state of Serbia to help our people live a life worthy of the 21st century. It's not simple at all, it's not easy at all, the challenges are great, especially in this rather unpleasant environment, but we are here to build peace, we are here to take care of our children," Petkovic said.

Petkovic recalled that the Office for Kosovo and Metohija renovated two healthcare facilities in Suvo Grlo and Banje, built a high school, adding that assistance would continue to arrive.

Petkovic thanked Bishop Teodosije for being together with the Serbs in this place on a great Orthodox holiday.

"To show unity because only together, as has always been the case, with the Church and the state, our people have a future here. Happy Easter!"

(Telegraf.rs)