The Eparchy of Raska and Prizren appealed to the Serbs in Kosovo to show unity and patience

The Eparchy of Raska and Prizren appealed to the faithful people in Kosovo to demonstrate dignity, courage, strength, national unity, and patience in moments when they are facing open repression by the Kosovo authorities, which they claim is unprecedented since the end of the armed conflict in 1999. The Eparchy emphasizes that many governments have changed in this area, but their Church has remained with them.

As stated in the statement of the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren, the Serbs are facing an extremely difficult situation in Kosovo.

This is why they feel a pastoral obligation and the need to encourage their faithful people who, as they note, are increasingly exposed to open repression by the Kosovo authorities every day, unlike ever before since the end of the armed conflict in 1999.

"Institutional terror in Pristina is implemented in various ways, ostensibly respecting the law in front of the world, but actually with the aim of encouraging our people to emigrate and leave the areas where they have lived for centuries. Daily rough manifestations of police force, searches, arrests, unjustified detentions, threats, prevention of receiving pensions and social benefits, along with the rough tolerance of imposed Albanian municipal authorities in northern Kosovo who do not have the legitimacy of the majority of citizens, are used as a means of coercion against our people, depriving them of a normal life, basic rights, and freedoms," the statement reads.

Furthermore, it is apparent that to the authorities in Pristina, the Serbs have always been and remain second-class citizens, and it is evident at every turn regardless of their hypocritical appeals to the Constitution and laws of Kosovo, under which supposedly all citizens should have equal rights, and the most vulnerable specially protected.

"Such behavior not only does not contribute to solving the problem but deepens mistrust, creates ethnic barriers and intolerance, and destroys all the bridges that have been built between the Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija so far," it is added.

It is pointed out that such a situation may perhaps benefit the authorities in Pristina in the short term, but in the long run, it holds everyone hostage to instability, uncertainty, and a difficult economic situation altogether.

In that sense, they note that it is no wonder that such a large number of young Kosovo Albanians are leaving Kosovo and seeking a better life abroad.

The appeal, as emphasized, is not addressed to the Kosovo authorities because it is evident that the authorities in Pristina are not willing to create normal living conditions for the Serbs and build a vision of a society where all people, regardless of ethnic origin and religion, would live peacefully and safely.

However, the appeal is not directed to international representatives either, as they are noted to too loudly tolerate the violence of the Pristina authorities, especially the Kosovo Police, despite their official stance that everyone must be provided with a normal and equal life.

"We address the appeal to our faithful people with whom the Serbian Orthodox Church has shared all the troubles during the Ottoman occupation, during the sufferings in the First and Second World Wars, during the communist rule, as well as during all recent events, especially from 1999 until today. Our Church has been expressing sharp disagreement with the policy of the then regime in Belgrade towards the Albanian civilian population since before the armed conflict, just as it has openly testified and raised its voice against the violence perpetrated by various extreme Albanian groups in Kosovo after the war, advocating for dialogue and coexistence all the time. Despite all this, the Church itself has suffered violence, with 150 of our temples destroyed, and dozens of cemeteries vandalized," the statement reads.

The role of the Church, as they state, is not to engage in politics, but when its people suffer injustice, it has a duty to raise its voice against terror.

"We are not in a position to decide on political solutions, but we have a duty, regardless of the society we live in, to do everything in our power to respect the dignity of all people, their human and religious rights and freedoms. Unfortunately, the Kosovo authorities have responded to everything our Church has done in the last 25 years with pressure on the Church itself, openly denying its identity, and basic religious, and property freedoms. Such behavior cannot bring good to anyone because what is built on injustice inevitably collapses sooner or later, and this applies to all the powerful of this world who abuse force and power against those who are not protected," it is stated.

It is added that such individuals can never achieve anything except to shame their name before history, and it is not said without reason by Petar Petrovic Njegos: "He whose law is written by his cudgel leaves behind the stench of inhumanity“.

Therefore, they appeal to their people to show dignity, courage, strength, national unity, and endurance in these moments.

"For centuries, it is precisely on these Gospel principles and loyalty to God and our St. Sava commitment that we have preserved our faith, language, name, and memory, gathering in our sanctuaries, remaining faithful to the vow of Saint Prince Lazar, which is of universal significance for all in the world. This is not just an ordinary phrase but a profound truth. Many empires have passed, but the Church of Christ, made up of its people with clergy and monastics, has remained and endured, and to this day His name is celebrated worldwide," they point out.

They emphasize that therefore, even in this situation, they must not be despondent and allow themselves to be intimidated because every violence comes from fear and insecurity, and every fear and worry come from a lack of faith in God.

They assess that such arrogant behavior of the authorities in Pristina is primarily an expression of cowardice and blind hatred because it is easy to carry out terror against those who are unprotected and who live in Kosovo and Metohija as living hostages.

"That is why we must not give in to blackmail, but rather fight for our rights peacefully, and dignified, remaining primarily loyal to God and devoted to this miraculous space, where we have lived and endured for centuries. Just remember the terror that was carried out against our people during the previous centuries of Ottoman rule but also the courage of our people who, despite all the difficulties, remained steadfast in their homeland, their sanctuaries, and their cemeteries. The Lord teaches us to pray for those who persecute us and do evil, and not to respond to hatred with hatred and violence," it is emphasized.

As they state, the Serbs need to know that many authorities have changed in Kosovo, but his Church has remained with them as the tissue that unifies and holds everything together as the Body of Christ, which the Church truly is.

"Therefore, in all these difficulties, we call on our people to, with their Church, as faithful children of Saint Sava, Saint Prince Lazar, numerous saints who shone and lived in Kosovo and Metohija, preserve and maintain composure, peace, and firm trust in God that He will not abandon us. With such faith, no force of this world will defeat us, and the punishment for those who commit evil and injustice is always in God's hands," it is stated.