Office for Kosovo, EU rep, Norwegian govt. decorated

B92 – 27/11/13

DEČANI —  The Dečani Monastery marked its feast in a ceremony attended by several hundred believers, and Serbian ministers Aleksandar Vulin, Nebojša Rodić and Ivan Mrkić.

Serbian Patriarch Irinej blessed the renovated dormitory (konak) in High Dečani, whose construction lasted more than two years.

After liturgy, the new Prizren dormitory was consecrated. The premises were renewed thanks to funds collected from donors.
“It instills a spirit of hope and confidence in the people of good will, in the government of Serbia, it is the hope and encouragement to the people who stayed and who are experiencing a difficult time, to encourage them in the hope that Kosovo and Metohija is not lost,” said the patriarch.
Serbian Orthodox Church decorated the Office for Kosovo and Metohija with the Medal of St. Sava of the First Order, for their support and providing material backing to the Serbian Church and people.

“This is a recognition to the government of Serbia and it is more than gratitude for the financial assistance. Material assistance will be as it was before, the government will continue to fund the life of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija in the same scale as it did so far, and I hope it will be greater,” said Vulin.

EU Special Representative in Kosovo Samuel Žbogar and the government of Norway, who helped rebuild the dormitory, were also decorated. One of the donors was the B92 Fund.

“The opening ceremony of the renovated dormitory in the Dečani monastery seemed cathartic. At a time when there is a feeling that something is lost in the High Dečani a facility is built that will enable much better communication to the remotest part of Kosovo and Metohija, which provides temporary shelter and hospitality to believers and all others who want to visit and enjoy this UNESCO heritage building. We had the opportunity to witness the expression of great respect to the brotherhood of the Diocese of Raška and Prizren by the international community. I expect this kind of attention will help all the efforts of Bishop Teodosije, Abbot Sava and everyone else in this diocese to facilitate the life of the people in the enclaves and the whole of the territory of Kosovo and Metohijie,” said the fund’s director, Veran Matić, and added:

“Their credibility, diplomacy, the effort and sacrifice that are recognized as very large significant force in Kosovo, and the hope that it is possible to build a sustainable model of co-existence so that the rights of all citizens of Kosovo are promoted and guaranteed much better than is currently the case. It is very important that they have the support of all who have a desire to support both individual freedoms and universal values. ”

Matić added that the B92 Fund would continue to support soup kitchens and the “Majka Devet Jugovićs” NGO, as well as other projects that will be a chance for a better life for Serbs in Kosovo and to create conditions for the return of those who had to leave their homes. After work is done to create self-sustaining soup kitchen through increased crop yields, and the opening of a goat farm and dairy, the focus will be on raising funds to build a pig farm and other projects that will help to produce more food within the eparchy, giving work to the current users.

The life of monks at Dečani is tense because of constant provocations of the local population. KFOR troops provide safety for them and the monastery.

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