Patriarch Irinej: Serbs in KiM should stay united

Addressing those present, the Patriarch said that Serbs in Kosovo must not be divided by political parties, but should rather stay united as one big "Serb Orthodox party." "We have paid a dear price for divisions through our history. A divided people is a people without power and without anything valuable," Patriarch Irinej noted. He also pointed to the destruction of Serbian holy sites and cemeteries in Kosovo and called for their restoration. He also called on displaced Serbs to return to their homes and Orthodox churches. "They took our homes and land from us, but they cannot take our holy sites, because they are the force that has kept these people alive. As far as these holy sites in KiM exist, there will be gatherings and life in them and around them, and we hope that this life will extend over entire KiM," the Patriarch said, adding that the SPC is with the people and that it will always share any destiny, both good and evil, with them, as it always did through its history. The liturgy was attended by several hundred Orthodox believers, including Serbian Minister of Culture Bratislav Petkovic, representatives of the government's Office for KiM, certain MPs, representatives of the Kosovo District, guests from Republika Srpska and Head of the Greek liaison office in Kosovo Ambassador Dimitris Moschopoulos. A great number of people from central Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina also arrived in Gracanica during the day to celebrate Vidovdan, one of the greatest Serbian national holidays. On that day, back in 1389, the Battle of Kosovo between Serbian and Turkish forces was fought.