Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
Avgust 23, 2004

BISHOP JOANIKIJE OF BUDIMLJE AND NIKSIC
ON THE SERBIAN PEOPLE IN MONTENEGRO

In Podgorica on August 21-22, 2004 the Serbian People’s Party organized a scientific-expert conference entitled The Serbian People in Montenegro: Affirmation of the national issue and defense of human rights. Present at the gathering were Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic, Professor Bogoljub Sijakovic, Princess Jelisaveta Karadjordjevic, Professor Radmilo Marojevic, Professor Savo Lausevic, Dr. Slavenko Terzic, Dr. Momcilo Vuksanovic, Dr. Vladimir Jovicevic, Fr. Velibor Dzomic, Budimir Aleksic, Vukic Ilincic, Zarko Lekovic, Zelidrag Nikcevic, Milutin Micovic, Novak Radulovic, Goran Danilovic, Predrag Vukic, Aleksandar Rakovic, Novica Djuric and others.

Chief to blame for the exceptionally poor position of the Serbian people in Montenegro, who comprise over 30 percent of the population according to the latest census, is the regime of Milo Djukanovic. However, a good portion of the blame also falls on the Serbs in Montenegro themselves, who lack the courage and national strategy to achieve what rightfully belongs to them, concluded the large number of eminent figures taking part in the conference on the Serbian people in Montenegro

In the opinion of His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic, the position of the Serbian people in Montenegro can best be gauged according to the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church. “The church is separated from the state; however, the church was first the victim of aggression, and then the separation occurred. What kind of violence do we mean? First of all, the state simply appropriated the property of the Church. Namely, since the forming of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to present-day Montenegro, it has inherited all this Communist capital and does not want to give it up. It is firmly holding on to this violence and not even considering returning the Church’s property or condemning crimes against the Church. But if the Church says anything about the crimes perpetrated against it, then that is the Church meddling in politics.”

According to Bishop Joanikije, the second basic right taken from the Church is the right to religious education of children in schools, which is guaranteed in all traditional Christian countries. Mutual relations between the Church and state were not legally regulated with participation of both sides; the state simply passed a law of some sort on the position of religious communities.

“The (Montenegrin) regime not only has no intention of organizing and regulating these issues in a proper manner but obviously goes even further. With the same force but with renewed will and strength it is trying to carry out new acts of violence against the Church,” said Bishop Joanikije. “Currently in effect is a program endangering church jurisdiction in Montenegro, and denying church jurisdiction represents the greatest danger for a local Church.”

90TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF CER CELEBRATED IN TEKERISA

Ninety years ago, from August 12-24, 1914, the Battle of Cer took place between the Serbian and Austro-Hungarian army. With the intent of conquering Serbia, the Austro-Hungarian command carried out an attack from two directions, across the Drina and Sava Rivers. After preparing a plan for the Battle of Cer the Serbian supreme command transferred its military reinforcements to this part of Serbia. Serbian forces numbered 180,000 soldiers and Austro-Hungarian forces totaled 200,000.

After a frontal attack by the Serbian army near the village of Tekerisa, the enemy was forced to withdraw. During the last four days, from August 16-20, battles were waged on the main front. The Austro-Hungarian army, which had come from Bosnia, was forced to retreat across the Drina. With the liberation of Sabac the enemy army was pushed out of Serbia. The commander of the Serbian army was general Stepa Stepanovic, who was promoted to the rank of commander in chief (vojvoda) after the victory at Cer.

On Sunday, August 22, 2004, His Holiness Patriarch Pavle together with His Grace Bishop Lavrentije and His Grace Bishop Artemije with the concelebration of clergy and deacons served a requiem service for soldiers killed in the village of Tekerisa in front of the memorial mausoleum.

Patriarch Pavle wrote the following in the visitor’s book: “On the ninetieth anniversary of the Battle of Cer, we visited this location of a battle for the freedom of our people with a prayer to the Lord for the salvation of the souls of those who perished for justice, freedom and the Honorable Cross. With blessings, on August 22, 2004. Serbian Patriarch + Pavle.”

On behalf of the organizers of the commemoration of the anniversary of this event, guests were welcomed and addressed by Loznica mayor Mr. Slobodan Kaitovic. Other speakers included Serbian vice-president Miroljub Labus and the chief of staff of the Serbia and Montenegro Army, general-colonel Branko Krga. Official guests included senior state officials of Serbia and Montenegro and Republika Srpska, as well as representatives of the embassies of France, the Russian Federation, the United States of America, Germany, Austria and others.

FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSFIGURATION – PATRON
SAINT’S DAY OF THE CITY OF TREBINJE

On Thursday, August 19, 2004, on the feast of the Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord, Metropolitan Jovan of Veles and Povardarje together with Bishop Grigorije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, Bishop Atanasije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina (retired) and Bishop Jovan of Dioclea served Hierarchal Liturgy in the Cathedral in Trebinje

The cutting of the slava cake and the blessing of the grapes followed the end of the service. A festal religious procession passed through the streets of Trebinje in the evening, headed by Metropolitan Jovan together with Bishop Luka of Western Europe, Bishop Grigorije, Bishop Atanasije, Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan, and Bishop Maksim of Hum. High officials of Republika Srpska were also present.

Approximately 5,000 people took part in the religious procession, which concluded with a requiem service for all soldiers who were killed.

[Serbian Translation Services]