Kosovo separatists did not allow Serbs into the Orthodox church
The authorities of the self-proclaimed Kosovo banned Orthodox Serbs from serving the liturgy on Ascension Day at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Pristina.
Pristina parish priest Stanisa Arsic reported this to Kosovo Online, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“This morning, at about half past five, the clergy of the Church of St. Nicholas began to serve the holy liturgy on the occasion of the Ascension in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Pristina, but the policeman forbade us to unlock the church. On the other hand, we noticed two more police cars,” Stanisa’s father said.
Priests and believers were forced to return to the Church of St. Nicholas.
“We have already informed Bishop Theodosius about this case. We were not allowed to break bread and pray to God for our suffering people in Kosovo and Metohija. And this is despite the fact that we have a court decision that the temple is under the patronage of the Church, and there are no formal obstacles to serving there,” the priest said.
The Office for Kosovo and Metohija in the Serbian government responded to the incident.
“There is no doubt that this uncivilized act of the Kosovo police was directly directed by the authorities in Pristina and shows their attitude towards religious freedoms in Kosovo and Metohija and the believing Serbian people. Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are prohibited from entering churches, praying to God and practicing their faith. Temples of the Serbian Orthodox Church are desecrated every day,” the statement said.
The department recalled that last year the inscription “Jesus hates Serbs” appeared on the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, as well as many other derogatory messages.
“It is time for representatives of the international community to clearly see the persecution Serbs face in Kosovo and Metohija and take appropriate steps to protect the legitimate rights and freedoms of the Serb people in the province,” concludes the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.
In Kosovo, Albanians constantly desecrate Orthodox churches and cemeteries. Kosovo authorities have attacked 236 churches, monasteries and other Serbian Orthodox Church sites, as well as cultural and historical sites since 1999. In total, 174 places of worship and 33 cultural and historical sites were destroyed, and more than 10 church icons, religious artifacts and art objects were stolen.
Kosovo and Metohija is the cradle of the Serbian state and church, as well as the spiritual home of the centuries-old culture of the Serbian people. There are about 1300 churches, monasteries and other sites that constitute the cultural heritage of Serbia.
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