Patriarch Porfirije: We are at home in Kosovo and Metohija, your example in sobering

Photo: Kosovo Online

During the sermon after the liturgy held in the Gracanica monastery on Vidovdan (St. Vitus Day, a major Serbian holiday), the patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Porfirije, said that the holy places in Kosovo and Metohija are the home of all Serbs, and that in them we find the reason for our existence.

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The patriarch said that when in Kosovo, we know who we are.

"Here in Kosovo and Metohija, we are in our home, we understand where we come from. And I remind all our brothers and sisters around the world of this truth. When we are anywhere else, then we are strangers," Porfirje said.

Recalling the feat of the Kosovo heroes (in the 1389 Battle of Kosovo, fought on Vidovdan), he pointed out that the most important thing in the scale of values is to have faith in Christ and understand the power of prayer.

The patriarch added that today's gathering's purpose is to pray for peace for Serbs in Kosovo.

"To you brothers and sisters who live in Kosovo and Metohija, we have come to pray with you, to bow down to your strength and decision to protect our holy places in Kosovo and Metohija. This would not be possible without having faith in your souls. With your prayer and steadfastness, the rest of us, too, heal ourselves from the inside, we are born again and we begin to understand that the most important thing is to seek first the kingdom of heaven, to have faith God's love," the patriarch said.

He appealed on everyone to contribute to peace in Kosovo. He told the Serbs in Kosovo to use their example to teach everyone a lesson.

"But we know that there will never be peace, if it is not in our souls. And we are grateful to you, that you sober us up with your example. You also heal us with your prayer and your Orthodox faith. Our Church will never forget anyone and will not leave anyone behind. If the Church forgets even one Serb in Kosovo, then our existence has no purpose. We pray for every soul in Kosovo, that the Lord will instill his peace in every soul," said Patriarch Porfirije.

He added that today is a particularly good day, because while Serbs are celebrating one of the most important Serbian holidays, Vidovdan, Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Adha, and he congratulated them on that.

"Today is a joyful day. We celebrate the holy Prince Lazar and the Holy Martyrs of Kosovo, and today the Muslim brothers celebrate Eid al-Adha. Praying to God for all the people of the world, may the Lord give everyone joy and peace. I congratulate Eid al-Adha to the Muslim brothers in the land of Kosovo-Metohija. Let those with faith in God pray for peace in their souls," said Porfirije.

He stressed that Kosovo is holy and that there is a place for all people, shrines and types of prayer to God.

The patriarch concluded by wishing everyone a happy holiday.

During the liturgy and the sermon, a NATO helicopter flew over the enclave of Gracanica and the yard of the eponymously named medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery.

(Telegraf.rs)