PATRON SAINT'S DAY MARKED AT THE HOLY ARCHANGELS MONASTERY, PRIŠTINA POLICE SEARCHED WORSHIPPERS

PRIZREN, JULY 26 /SRNA/ – The patron saint’s day St. Archangel Gabriel was marked today at the Monastery of the Holy Archangels near Prizren, while worshippers entering the monastery were searched by the Kosovo Police.

The Divine Liturgy was served by Metropolitan Teodosije of Raška and Prizren and attended by numerous faithful, including Brčko District Mayor Siniša Milić.

In his sermon, Metropolitan Teodosije said that it is God's power that sustains the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija today.

"What belongs to God cannot pass away, nor can it be destroyed by human beings. We must always remain aware of that. These holy sites, which we inherited from God through our kings, emperors, rulers, archbishops, and patriarchs, where we pray, belong to God, and no one can take them from us," the bishop said.

The Metropolitan stressed that, at a time when conditions are most difficult for Serbs in holy Kosovo and Metohija, when many towns have been left without Serb population, and when both Serb holy sites and the remaining Serbs face threats, increasing numbers of believers and pilgrims are visiting the monasteries, demonstrating that they have not forgotten what belongs to God.

"There is no stronger weapon and no earthly power greater than our determination to preserve our holy sites. The Lord wants us to gather together in His love, and where the Lord is present, no one can harm us. What we should fear, both individually and as a people, is making mistakes ourselves and doing what is not of God," Metropolitan Teodosije said.

A large number of Kosovo Police officers searched worshippers as they entered the monastery grounds.

Milena Parlić, Assistant Director of Serbia's parliamentary Office for Kosovo and Metohija, said that despite daily violation of the religious and human rights of Serbs, the Serb people respond through unity and prayer.

"As you could see today, in addition to the daily violations of the human rights of Serbs, people also witnessed violations of religious rights. A large number of police officers frisked every believer today. What can we say in the end? We respond to all of this through our unity. The best response to hatred, repression, and daily pressure is to gather in prayer, to gather in faith, and to ensure that our numbers continue to grow," Parlić said.

She thanked those who came, especially young people from across Serbia and the region, saying that the monastery provides an opportunity to learn about cultural and historical heritage and roots, while also strengthening awareness of faith, national identity, and the Serb state.

Brčko District Mayor Siniša Milić, who attended the celebration, said he was grateful to God to be in Prizren together with worshippers from Republika Srpska and BiH.

"The large number of believers present today testifies that our holy sites are indestructible. The deeper our roots are in faith, spirituality, and identity, the greater the guarantee of the renewal of life. Today's feast confirms all of that," Milić said.

He added that he had spent around six hours the previous day at the Merdare and Jarinje administrative crossings because of administrative complications, but that this did not prevent him from attending the celebration.

"They did everything they could to prevent us from being here today, but I believe this is the best response. Despite everything, we should continue gathering at these holy places, and I am certain that, God willing, even more of us will be here next year. Happy patron saint’s day to everyone celebrating today," Milić said.

Following the liturgy, an appropriate cultural and artistic programme was held, featuring folklore ensembles and actor Milan Vasić.

The monastery's residential quarters were burned during the March 2004 unrest, and reconstruction was completed in 2014.

The Monastery of the Holy Archangels, an endowment of Emperor Dušan, was built between 1343 and 1352 on the site of an older church.