Serbian Orthodox Church - News 25.3.2004.

NEWS

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
March 25, 2004

DOXOLOGY HONORING GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY
AT THE SERBIAN PATRIARCHATE

(BELGRADE) - 25 March 2004 - His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle attended the Doxology Service, celebrated by Greek and Serbian clergy of Belgrade, at the Patriarchal Chapel of St. Simeon the Myrrhobletes in honor of Greek Independence Day.

Addressing the Greek and Cypriot Diplomatic Corps and Military Attaches in attendance, His Holiness spoke of the Greek uprising which led to the freedom of the Greek Orthodox people, indicating that all people are deserving of freedom, justice and peace. Reflecting on the recent tragedies in Kosovo and Metohija, which have befallen the Serbian faithful, the Patriarch expressed the profound appreciation of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as his own personal gratitude, for the support and generosity of the Greek people throughout our times of need. Turing to the representatives of the Greek Military Corps, His Holiness thanked the Greek soldiers for their sacrifice of love in guarding our shrines in Kosovo and Metohija.

Responding to the paternal message of the Patriarch, His Excellency the Ambassador and Plenipotentiary of Greece, Michael Spinellis, noted that this year's celebration of the Annunciation Spring of Independence has been marred by the devastation in Kosovo and Metohija. The Ambassador thanked His Holiness for his paternal guidance in years past and throughout these difficult days.

Following the Doxology, a Memorial Service was held at the statue of Regis of Ferras, honoring Greek-Serbian friendship, where the representatives of Greece, Cyprus and the States Union of Serbia and Montenegro laid wreaths in commemoration of Greek Independence Day.

SERBIAN PATRIARCH PAVLE RECEIVED
BELGRADE VATICAN NUNCIO

(BELGRADE) - 24 March 2004 - His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle, together with Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Coastlands on the 24th of March 2004, at the Patriarchate, conversed with Archbishop Eugene Sbarbaro, Vatican Nuncio in Belgrade.

Archbishop Sbarbaro conveyed the greetings of Pope John Paul II to His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, as well as the sincere sorrow, sympathy and pain for everything that has befallen the Serbian people these past days in Kosovo and Metohija.

The Holy See shares in this sorrow and pain together with all Orthodox Churches throughout the world, and especially with the Diocese of Raska-Prizren.

The Vatican strongly condemns the recent tragic events as they concern all Christians, and underscores the need to expediently punish those guilty in order to determine the accountability of all including the Albanians and the International Community, which for the past five years has attempted to establish peace.

The Vatican Nuncio expressed the desire of the Holy See to rebuild, at the discretion of his hosts, whichever monastery or church they select, in order to put their words of intent into deeds.

PERPETRATOR WHO ATTACKED KFOR TROOPS
IDENTIFIED AS ZIVORAD CVETKOVIC

Zivorad Cvetkovic Ziza of Pristina threw a hand grenade at KFOR French peacekeepers on guard at the main bridge over the Ibar in North Kosovska Mitrovica at about 2035 hrs on Wednesday, it was announced at the International Press Center in Kosovska Mitrovica.

Two French troops received minor injuries in the incident. After attacking the peacekeepers, Cvetkovic attempted to escape, running in the direction of the town center. He tried to throw another bomb at a group of Serbs who were persuing him, but they managed to capture him and hand him over to the UNMIK police.

EPARCHY OF RASKA-PRIZREN DENOUNCED ATTACK ON FRENCH GUARD

The Eparchy of Raska and Prizren condemned in the strongest terms the attack on the French guard in northern Mitrovica and called on the Serbs in the town "not to allow criminals and extremists to abuse the existing situation."

The Serbian Orthodox Church particularly commended the presence of mind of Mitrovica Serbs who caught the criminals and handed them over to the international peacekeepers and in that way showed that the Serbian people in Mitrovica was not protecting possible criminals within its ranks, the Eparchy stated.

THIRTY CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES PERISH
IN ETHNIC ALBANIAN VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO

The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Diocese of Raska and Prizren on Tuesday released the list of churches and monasteries destroyed or heavily damaged from March 17-19 in Kosovo and Metohija province, a total of 30 objects, the Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija said.

According to the list, which is not final, 10 temples and the Bishop's Court have been destroyed in Prizren, where the St Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theology was torched first.