Serbian Patriarch visits Kosovo and Metohija

Translated Using Google Translate Service

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch His Holiness Irenaeus for the first time today visited Kosovo and Metohija since in January of this year came to the throne patrijaraški SOC. Patriarch Irenaeus arrived in the monastery of Pec Patriarchate in the early afternoon, accompanied by the Bishop of Lipljan Vikarnog G. Theodosius, ministers in the Government of Serbia: Goran Bogdanovic (Minister for Kosovo and Metohija) and Prof.. Dr. Bogoljub Šijaković (Minister of Religion), and g. Mladjan Djordjevic, adviser of the President of the Republic. In the Pec Patriarchate soon arrived and the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral G. Amfilohije, who served St. this morning. Liturgy in the monastery of Black River on the occasion of feast of St.. Peter Korisa, and Bishop G Budimlje and Niksic. Joanikije, or both members of the Saint. Arch. Synod of the Church.

Patriarch Srpki briefly addressed reporters, saying the audience about their impressions on the occasion of the arrival in Kosovo and Metohija and the situation in the Diocese of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija. Following transfer recorded statements from journalists KIM Radio Caglavica and Agency BETA:

His Holiness the Patriarch said that he would like to, as before, when he lived in Kosovo, Serbs and Albanians living in harmony and love. “We live here together for centuries … The people (Serbs) has long lived with the Albanians as the loved ones, there were common, shared way of life. That time I can remember and I would like to be so today and tomorrow and always – to Two people live in harmony, love, life and acceptable for one and for others, “said the Serbian Patriarch.

Serbian Patriarch reminded journalists that Kosovo and Metohija lived from 1947th until 1975. The Pec Patriarchate and to consider their house to him in coming to her does not require any license. “The relationship between the two nations (Serbs and Albanians) was different. Then I remember and I would like that such a relationship between the two nations is today.”

Patriarch Irenaeus reporters in Pec Patriarchate said that in Kosovo and Metohija always come with lots of love, and that today he felt joy, embarrassment and sadness. Joy because it is again on the holy Serbian land, sadness because it is the Serbian land destroyed and embarrassment, as the administrative transition had to change from the escort. “Today I come to the Patriarchate to the company, and sure enough for your whole life and it gives sad and sad feeling. Kosovo is holy Serbian land, and every time we come, we come full of love and freedom which is now gone. It remains our hope that those who decide the fate of Kosovo have in mind the importance of our history and culture and realize that it is our sacred land, our Jerusalem, and should it break away from the Serbian people, history and culture. If it does not give God did create neuralgičnu point to be a source of unrest and misunderstanding. It does not want me, and I believe neither of our neighbors, the Albanians, “said Patriarch Irenaeus.

Events in the Diocese of Raska and Prizren

Commenting on previous events in the Diocese of Raska – Prizren Patriarch said that the Church did what it had to be done. Faithful people in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as those in the diaspora the Patriarch said to have full confidence in cvoju Church, to accept what the Church has done, because that is the most suitable and thus allow normal life of the Church.

“The fact that the Church did not the whimsicality, but what is appropriate and what was supposed to be done. We have a lot of love for Bishop Artemije but things went so long not to be and when we wanted to correct is not allowing us insight into the business. Holy Bishops in full comprehend the situation in the Diocese and realized that the most suitable to Bishop Artemije exempt management Diocese. ”

“The bishop agreed to, but not a single monk who acted in a completely nemonaški and unchristian manner, and the best proof is that they have left the monastery, and to them that no one was forced. Even moljeni to stay, but it did not accept what is the best proof that the Constitution is neither monastic nor canonical, but I hope that some of them understand, “said the Patriarch.

For the monks who left the Diocese Patriarch said that they will be invited to return, but if they do not, he said that there are canonical regulations on the basis of which will be determined their status.

PREPARING FOR enthronement

Minister of Religion Bogoljub Šijaković said that the enthronement of Patriarch very important event for the church and state.

“We all know that this event is very important, but this event has great symbolic importance for us, not only in the political situation in Serbia is trying to peaceful means, through the process before the International Court of Justice, through the arguments retain jurisdiction over its whole territory and when our church seeks to church order of the ecclesiastical territory, of all Lay brought into line, and crowned with the selection and enthronement Serbian Patriarch right here in the Pec Patriarchate, “said Minister Šijaković.

Patriarch Irenaeus on 24 January enthroned at the Cathedral Church in Belgrade, and the 3rd October this year enthronement ceremony will be held in the Pec Patriarchate, which is centuries the seat of Serbian Patriarch.

The security of the Pec Patriarchate care Italian KFOR soldiers since they were in June 1999. The province withdrew from the Yugoslav Army and members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

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