PRIZREN – HOW TO GET SERBS BACK

3/3/2011

After the return of the seat of the eparchy of Raska and Prizren to that town in Kosmet, the seminary will be reopened again next fall. It is expected to encourage the expelled Serbs to more massive return. More from Snezana Milosevic.

According to innumerous Serbs who still live in Prizren, the decision of the Serbian Orthodox Church to return the seat of the eparchy of Raska and Prizren from Gracanica to the town on the Bistrica river, from where it was forced out in 1999, is already yielding results. After eleven years, the church life has revived in the ancient city of Emperor Dusan. Every week there are more and more believers coming to liturgies in the temple of St. George. It is difficult to live in uncertainty and watch the burnt sanctities, properties and town where there are no more Serbs. With the revival of the church life, the return of the Serbs should also grow stronger, pointed episcope Teodosije. “It is our only path to the future, and we have no other. There are lot of challenges and temptations awaiting on that road, but with God’s willing, we will persevere”, stated Teodosije.

Until 1999 almost 10 thousand Serbs were living in Prizren, while today there are only 18 of them. They hope to be rejoined soon by others who were forced to leave more than a decade ago. They say that especially encouraging is the decision of young generation to return.

Mile Nikolic says he would go back immediately, if his house were renewed. In the close vicinity of the temple of St. George, the renovation of ten Serb houses has commenced. The finances have been provided by the governments of Kosmet and Great Britain. Head of the Prizren administrative district Jovica Buduric explains that according to some announcements, the Serbian Government will also make additional effort to help as many Serbs as possible to return to that town.

In the autumn, after 11 years, also expected is the arrival of first seminary students. Namely, starting with the fall semester, nine students will be attending the classes in the widely renowned Prizren Seminary.

Source: