SERBS IN TEARS AND FEAR OVER OWNERSHIP OF ORTHODOX CEMETERIES AND CHURCHES

MOSTAR, JANUARY 15 /SRNA/ – Serbs in Mostar, whose ancestors have been buried for centuries in two Orthodox cemeteries in the Vrapčići neighborhood, struggle to find words to describe the pain they feel after learning that their ancestors' graves, churches, and chapels have been seized and registered as property of the "state".

This year, on Zadušnice, that pain was, as they say, almost unbearable.

Beyond tears, fear can be seen in their eyes, and only one question remains, whether the remains of their loved ones will be allowed to rest in peace.

Goran Bovan from Vrapčići says that people are deeply concerned.

"The people feel powerless, but infinitely sad and worried," Bovan said, his gaze sweeping across the graves at the Orthodox cemetery that testify to centuries of Serb presence.

Most residents do not wish to speak publicly, but they share the same sentiment - resentment mixed with disbelief.

Vlado Vučić from Vrapčići reminded that the cemetery in Upper Vrapčići has existed for more than two centuries.

"The cemetery was here during Ottoman rule, then Austro-Hungarian rule, then the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, then socialist Yugoslavia, and then for 30 years under the Federation – and now someone has decided to say it is not ours," Vučić said.

Serbs living along the Neretva valley hope that the institutions of Republika Srpska will react and help ensure that the cemeteries, chapels, and church are returned to the ownership of the Serbian Orthodox Church, to which they have belonged for centuries.

The Municipal Court in Mostar has registered the "state" as the owner of two Orthodox cemeteries in the Vrapčići neighborhood, as well as a chapel and a church currently held by the Serbian Orthodox Church Municipality of Mostar.

In light of the new situation, the Mostar Church Municipality has engaged lawyers, while the Government of Republika Srpska has established an interdepartmental working group tasked with protecting the property of Serbs and the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Federation of BiH.