Patriarch: Share Easter Joy with All Who Live in Kosovo
Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Patriarch Porfirije, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, urged Orthodox Serbs to share the joy of Easter with all residents of Kosovo.
- Speaking at the Visoki Deฤani monastery, he emphasized that true joy is shared and that Serbs living in Kosovo, alongside Albanians and other minorities, should foster peace and mutual understanding.
On the joyous occasion of Easter Monday, His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), delivered a powerful message of inclusivity and shared celebration from the historic Visoki Deฤani monastery in Kosovo. Addressing the faithful, the Patriarch implored Orthodox Serbs to extend the spirit of Easter joy not just amongst themselves, but to all who share the land of Kosovo.
How can we be joyful if only we are joyful, and our neighbors are not joyful?
"How can we be joyful if only we are joyful, and our neighbors are not joyful?" the Patriarch rhetorically asked, as reported by Kosovo Online. This profound question cuts to the heart of communal living, emphasizing that genuine happiness cannot exist in isolation. He underscored the importance of peace, both within oneself and with those who live alongside us, particularly in the complex multi-ethnic environment of Kosovo, where Serbs coexist with Albanians and other minority communities.
Patriarch Porfirije's message is a timely call for reconciliation and understanding. By linking the joy of the Easter celebration to the well-being of one's neighbors, he highlights the core tenets of Christian love and fellowship. His words serve as a reminder that faith in the resurrected Christ, the "God-man," means embracing a divine love that encompasses everyone, fostering a spirit of unity and mutual respect among all inhabitants of Kosovo.
How can one strive to achieve peace within oneself by feeling self-sufficient, if those with whom they live do not have peace?
Following the liturgy, the Patriarch met with young scholars, recipients of scholarships from the Sima A. Igumanov Endowment Fund. This engagement with the youth, particularly those from Kosovo and Metohija, signifies the Church's commitment to nurturing future generations and reinforcing the bonds within the Serbian community while promoting a message of hope and coexistence.
Trust in the crucified and buried, but also resurrected God-man means faith that God's love embraces all.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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