METROPOLITAN LUKIJAN: DODIK IS A MAN OF WORD WHO DEFENDS CHRISTIAN VALUES

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 22 /SRNA/ - His Eminence Metropolitan Lukijan of Buda says that President Milorad Dodik is recognised in Hungary as a man who keeps his word and stands up for Christianity.

"In Hungary, including the Hungarian authorities, we recognize you and Republika Srpska as pillars of Christianity and Orthodoxy, which have been greatly shaken in Europe. For us, who live abroad, Republika Srpska is our homeland, and it matters to us who leads it. It should be someone who understands well the situation and what it means to live in another environment in order to preserve one’s language and Orthodox religious identity," Metropolitan Lukijan said after meeting with Dodik.

Metropolit Lukijan recalled the importance of Dodik's assistance to the Archives of the Eparchy of Buda in Szentendre.

"Your helping hand has reached Mount Athos and Szentendre alike. Thanks to your assistance, we now have a well-organised archive, perhaps the best in the Serbian Orthodox Church. Mr. President, you are recognised in Hungary as a man who keeps his word and stands up for Christianity. Hungary has surrounded itself with high barbed-wire fences to avoid becoming something else, while here we preserve our Orthodoxy and Serb identity in a different way," Metropolitan Lukijan said.

He noted that it is very important for the Serbian Orthodox Church to have a strong homeland, such as Republika Srpska, who leads it, and from whom assistance and sound advice can be expected.

"In addition, we have a spiritual leader such as Bishop Jefrem of Banja Luka. Today, we learned and thank him for it, that 320 churches have been built, making up for what had been forbidden and impossible to accomplish for 500 years. Glory be to God, this has been achieved here," the Metropolitan of Buda emphasized.

Metropolitan Lukijan added that the Serbian Orthodox people from this region are a seed and quality wherever they settle, and that they are very difficult to assimilate, both nationally and religiously.

"Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia was able to see this during his recent visit to Australia, as did I during my travels and service around the world. It should remain that way. Everyone should preserve their own values," Bishop Lukijan said.

Metropolitan Lukijan thanked Dodik and his associates for their hospitality.

The meeting was attended by Serb BiH Presidency member Željka Cvijanović, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić, Minister of Education and Culture Borivoje Golubović, and Director of the Secretariat for Religions Dragan Davidović.