| Information
Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
May 26, 2004
PATRIARCH OF GEORGIA ELIJAH II VISITS GREECE
 On Friday, May 21, 2004, His Holiness and Beatitude Patriarch
Elijah II of Georgia visited His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos
of Athens and All-Greece. The Georgian Patriarch was also received
by the members of the Holy Synod of the Greek Church. In his
welcoming homily His Beatitude Archbishop Christodoulos described
the role of Orthodoxy in the experience and actions of the modern
world. Today’s world measures all values through money and the
material, while Orthodoxy through its spirituality must help
modern people to conquer Mammon.
 In his response homily, the Georgian Patriarch said that at
the present time in the Georgian Church and people there are
many serious problems. We always believe that these serious problems
come as a result on technological progress when in fact they
come through a lack of spirituality. Some believe that Orthodoxy
is isolation; however, despite everything, it remains open to
the whole world. His Holiness and Beatitude Patriarch Elijah
emphasized that the Greek Church and Government should serve
as an example for the entire Orthodox world.
CHRIST AND CHILDREN  The Diocese of Backa publishing house “Beseda” has once again
brought us joy with an exceptional book for children. It is a
collection of didactic poems by Bozana H. Stojanovic called “Staza
ljubavi” (The Path of Love) through which the entire Gospel is
told.
Unlike many books that have been recently issued and attempt
to treat the same topic, here we have an exceptional knowledge
of the material under discussion as well as a poetic gift. Clearly
and simply written, the book is understandable to all while the
amount of effort and work required to achieve this clarity and
ease is known only to those who have tried to achieve it. The
warmth and beauty of the poems is reminiscent of those of Cika
Jova Zmaj. Bozana H. Stojanovic’s book “Staza ljubavi” captures
readers young and old alike. This book, too, like others from
the same publisher featuring carefully selected texts is exceptionally
prepared graphically, well illustrated and in high quality print;
in short, a model for how books for children with religious-didactic
material should look.
RUSSIA’S CONCERN FOR KOSOVO
The Russian ambassador in Athens, Mr. Andrei Vdovin expressed
the concern of the Russian Government following the March escalation
of violence in Kosovo and Metohija. Ambassador Vdovin emphasized
that Russia had foreseen this course of events which unfortunately
became reality. He also reminded of UN Resolution 1244, adding
that those who are responsible for violence against Serbs must
be punished and destroyed churches rebuilt. Displaced persons
should be allowed to return to their homes and paramilitary groups
disarmed. Unless we confront the situation in Kosovo and Metohija,
there is a risk that the conflict may spread to other parts of
the Balkans. He repeated the proposal of Russian president Putin
for the holding of an international conference which would confirm
that borders cannot be changed through the use of force.
POPE ON THE PLACE OF THE CHURCH IN UNITED EUROPE On Saturday, May 22, Pope John Paul II, the Bishop of Rome,
welcomed the acceptance of the new members of the European Union.
The Pope emphasized that the Church seeks to continue the process
of unification until all borders disappear.
The Pope also expressed the wish for the unification of the
European people on the basis of respect for legitimate differences,
the dignity of the human person, religious values, freedom, democracy,
the rule of law, separation of state and Church.
This Europe is founded on a law guided by respect for human
and Christian values and solidarity among its members. He emphasized
that we need to help those who are in greatest need so that Europe
can become a continent of prosperity and peace whose example
can become a model for all people and nations.
On this occasion, it was confirmed that the message of peace
and hope from the Resurrected Christ will be the source of
a better future for all the members of the Church and all of
humanity.
[Serbian Translation Services]
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