Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
January 8, 2005

CHRISTMAS FESTIVELY CELEBRATED IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

PATRIARCH PAVLE SERVES CHRISTMAS LITURGY IN PEC PATRIARCHATE

Formal Christmas Liturgy was served in all monasteries and parish churches in Kosovo and Metohija this morning. Serbian Patriarch Pavle served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the Pec Patriarchate, where he took part in the burning of the Yule log last night. The Patriarch wished the sisterhood and the faithful from the enclaves of Metohija in attendance peace and the blessing of God:

"In this holy shrine built by ancestors centuries ago, where they, too, prayed in times of peace and in times of enclaves and in times of difficulty and troubles, we also pray in this shrine, praying to the Son of God to send peace to this region in Kosovo and Metohija, and to our land, and to the whole world. Peace is necessary to us all, and justice and freedom is necessary to us all, and Our Lord Son of God who is born on this day, who removed the sins of all people since the world has existed, and since sin brings death, You also consciously accepted death on the Cross for us that You might grant us life eternal. Help us, o Lord, to endure on Your path to the end for as You said, "He who endures to the end shall be saved." Lord, grant peace to all, including us; it is also necessary to us in this region, to us and the Albanians and all the people who live here. Freedom and justice are necessary to us and that is why we pray to you, the God of truth, justice and love, to support us and to kiss all people of goodwill that they may endure and be witness to You and Your name, Your justice in this world which lies in corruption. We wish you a merry Christmas, a happy holiday and Christ is born! May God bless you and grant you everything that is good. Amen!"

Christmas liturgy in the Pec Patriarchate was also attended by Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and his associates. After the liturgy Prime Minister Kostunica also addressed representatives of the media, wishing a happy Christmas holiday to all.

Prime minister Kostunica also met briefly with local residents of the villages of Brestovik, Gorazdevac and the returnee locations in Metohija. They complained to the prime minister regarding poor living conditions. Returnees to Belo Polje near Pec asked the prime minister to help in the construction of an elementary school so that normal life could begin to unfold. The local residents of Brestovik had the same problem and request.

CHRISTMAS IN GRACANICA

Bishop Artemije served Christmas Liturgy with his priests and the faithful in Gracanica Monastery. Morning services and evening vespers took place in the monastery chapel of St. Maksim the Confessor, and Liturgy was held in the monastery church.

After Liturgy and partaking in the Holy Eucharist by a large number of the faithful, especially children, the Bishop distributed presents to the children. The presents were provided by several donors, among them U.S. KFOR.

After Holy Hierarchal Liturgy Bishop Artemije hosted a traditional Christmas banquet for the numerous guests and pilgrims and wished the peace and blessings for the newly born God-Child Christ.

CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS IN VISOKI DECANI

In Visoki Decani Monastery Christmas Liturgy was served by Vicar Bishop Teodosije. Christmas liturgy and the festal banquet was attended by over one hundred guests, including UNMIK chief Soren Jessen-Petersen and his associates.

After visiting Decani Petersen set out for the Pec Patriarchate to wish a happy Christmas holiday to Patriarch Pavle and all faithful of the Serbian Orthodox Church. There was no meeting in the Pec Patriarchate between Mr. Petersen and Prime Minister Kostunica because the Serbian PM had already left for Belgrade at the time of the UNMIK chief's arrival.

In the afternoon hours Patriarch Pavle arrived to Visoki Decani Monastery where he will attend the wake and serve Holy Hierarchal Liturgy the next day.

Source: Information Service of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren

[Serbian Translation Services]