Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
Oktober 1, 2004

COMMUNIQUE OF THE HOLY ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS
THERE SHOULD BE NO CALL ON KOSOVO SERBS TO VOTE WITHOUT CREDIBLE GUARANTEES
CELEBRATION OF NATIVITY OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS, 170 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CATHEDRAL IN ZAJECAR

COMMUNIQUE OF THE HOLY ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS

THERE SHOULD BE NO CALL ON KOSOVO SERBS
TO VOTE WITHOUT CREDIBLE GUARANTEES

These days, when we are all aware that very important, perhaps even decisive talks are being conducted which may determine the position of the southern Serbian province in the next decades, the Holy Assembly of Bishops has ascertained that institutions of the international administration in that region (KFOR and UNMIK), as well as provisional institutions of local self-government have done nothing to improve the exceptionally difficult position of the Serbs and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija. Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija still lack the right to freedom of movement, the right to work, education, medical treatment, safety of property, while religious rights, under conditions where more than 140 churches and monasteries have been destroyed, are out of the question. Simply, none of what the civilized world calls basic democratic, human and civil rights exist for the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija.

The Holy Assembly of Bishops, for this reason, supports cooperation of government institutions in Serbia with all international factors with the goal of ensuring conditions for living and survival of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the return of refugees. The Holy Assembly of Bishops calls on all political parties and responsible individuals in Serbia to remain committed to the positions defined in the Declaration (of August 27, 2003) and Resolution (of March 26, 2004) on Kosovo and Metohija, which were unanimously adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and represent an expression of national unity and high responsibility for the fate of the people and state. The Holy Assembly of Bishops also unanimously supports the National Assembly-adopted Plan of the Government of Serbia for the political solution of the present situation in Kosovo and Metohija of April 29, 2004, and does so as an expression of the readiness and constructive approach, both toward international factors as well as toward the Albanians of Kosovo and Metohija, to finding a just solution that will ensure equal rights and a peaceful life for all who live in the province.

The Holy Assembly of Bishops, having all this in mind, and in accordance with the Appeal of the Holy Assembly of Bishops for the protection of human rights in Kosovo and Metohija, calls on all political factors in Serbia, having all this mind, not to call on the Serbs of Kosovo and Metohija to participate in elections for local government institutions until they receive credible institutional guarantees that participation by representatives of our people in government institutions will ensure the survival of the Serbian people in this region and the effective protection of its property, and church and cultural heritage.

The attempt of the Serbs to defend their rights and interests in so-called multiethnic institutions has only given those institutions the semblance of fairness and legitimacy before the international community, while in practice representatives of our people were exposed to blatant marginalization and their proposals were most frequently met with the derisive laughter of the Albanian majority.

This Communique does not represent the intent of the Holy Assembly of Bishops to arbitrate in political matters but is an expression of spiritual and pastoral responsibility – not only for our faithful and the members of the Serbian people but equally for the well-being of every human being, every community and every people, especially if its elementary rights are jeopardized to the extent that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are denied their rights today.

The Office of the Holy Assembly of Bishops

CELEBRATION OF NATIVITY OF THE MOST HOLY THEOTOKOS,
170 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF CATHEDRAL IN ZAJECAR

After more than sixty years, Zajecar, the seat of the Diocese of Timok, formally celebrated its patron saint’s day, the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the 170-year anniversary of the construction of the cathedral in Zajecar. The Mother of God, the patron saint of the city on the two Timok Rivers, has protected its residents many times in the recent wars and appeared during the time of the liberation of 1945. After the consecration of the municipal building two years ago, the Municipal Assembly has hosted the celebration of the city’s patron saint’s day.

This year His Grace Bishop Justin served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the overflowing cathedral with his hierarchal administrators, the abbot of Bukovo Monastery and numerous clergy. The ceremony of the cutting of the slava cake of the Church and the Municipality, presented by Mayor Bosko Nicic, was conducted during Holy Liturgy. After the service a large festal procession passed through the downtown streets of Zajecar, including members of the Serbia and Montenegro Army and the Nis Military Orchestra, the Zajecar Youth Hall Culture and Arts Society, senior officials of the municipality, Army, educators, the church choir, elementary and secondary school students, as well as numerous citizens.

After the procession Bishop Justin and Mayor Bosko Nicic addressed the citizens gathered in the central city square. They expressed their satisfaction with the success of their common celebration of the patron saint’s day, the fact that more people took part this year than every before, and especially, the participation of a large number of young people. This is the beginning of the awakening of Orthodoxy among the people, without which there can be no happy future and well being for all.

[Serbian Translation Services]