Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
January 4, 2005

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM KOSOVO AND METOHIJA RECEIVE AWARDS IN WRITING CONTEST
CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN CHURCHES PROTESTS AGAINST ATTACKS ON ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN ALBANIA

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM KOSOVO AND METOHIJA RECEIVE AWARDS IN WRITING CONTEST

The non-governmental organization “Ramondia Serbica” presented five monetary awards to students of elementary schools in Kosovo and Metohija where classes are held in the Serbian language on the basis of a writing contest called “I dream, yet look what is happening to me”.

The winner of the grand prize is Marija Stankovic, a second grade student of the elementary school in Strpce, “Ramondia Serbica” advised.

According to representatives of the organization, despite the violence that occurred on March 17 last year the response to the contest was surprising, and the submissions were characterized by “outstanding quality”.

A book of the best works submitted for the writing contest has also been published in book form by “Svetigora” in Cetinje.

It is a bilingual publication in English and Serbian that has already been distributed in Austria and Germany. Because of the great interest in the Serbian-English edition in those countries, a translation into German is also being prepared.

Also in preparation is an edition in Greek, and at the beginning of February several promotions of the books will take place in the largest Greek cities.

The book is illustrated with 55 photographs, primarily portraits of children, taken in Kosovo and Metohija.

Source: SEEcult.org

CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN CHURCHES PROTESTS AGAINST ATTACKS ON ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN ALBANIA

The Central Committee of the Conferences of European Churches (CEC), which met in Prague from 27 September to 3 October, expressed concern for the recent acts of aggression in Albania against the Orthodox Church.

“It is with anxiety”, the Central Committee said, “that we have heard about the series of aggressive acts that have happened against the Orthodox Church in Albania. Some of these acts included: the blowing up of a cross-bell tower in Tzara; the looting of an Orthodox youth camp and student facilities around the Monastery of St. George in Saranda; and the eviction of the Orthodox community from an old church building in Permet”.

The committee shared their concerns and protests concerning these violent acts with His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, head of the Orthodox Church of Albania. Archbishop Anastasios is also Vice-President of CEC.

“We appeal to the Albanian authorities”, declared the Central Committee, “to continue to respect religious freedom in the country and to protect all religious communities”.

[Serbian Translation Services]