Roman-Catholic Church celebrated 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan

In Nis today, on 21 September, the holy mass commemorating 17 centuries of the Edict of Milan, was served by Papal envoy Angelo Scola

At the celebration there were President of the Republic Tomislav Nikolic, Prince Alexandar Karadjordjevic, Princess Katherine, representatives of the Diocese of Nis of the SOC, representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of other Churches and religious communities, mayor of Nis Zoran Perisic and representatives of the political and cultural life of this part of Serbia.

According to the words of Cardinal Scola, „one cannot separate reconciliation with God from the union with fellow-neighbors“. He also said that 17 centuries of the Edict of Milan sent a message to us all that religious freedom was a guarantee of peace and a new civilization in each pluralistic society.

At the beginning of the Eucharistic celebration a letter of the Roman Pope was read by which he appointed his envoy and emphasized importance of reconciliation.

Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Milan, a special envoy of Pope Francis, officiated the holy mass together with Monsignor Stanislav Hocevar, Roman Catholic Metropolitan and Archbishop of Belgrade, and cardinals, archbishops, bishops and priests from neighboring countries and the region.

Cardinal Scola, the special envoy of Pope Francis, brought a relic of the Holy Cross and delivered a special gift from the Holy Seem  - a sculpture monument that testifies the spirit of tolerance and cohabitation of Christians in Nis.

Caritas Serbia handed over aid to the Social Welfare Center in Nis.

From the Catholic church in Nis to the Nis football stadium the circular youth procession entitled “For freedom of the freed people” took place… Before the beginning of the mass at the “Cair” stadium, Archbishop Scola said that it was very important that there were believers present from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro. “It tells us that this is the great act which promotes true reconciliation among all these peoples and that in this way one great hope for future is being paved”, Cardinal Scola said.

Source: Tanjug, Royalfamily.org