SOC Synod: The goal of those trying to involve the SOC in conflicts is for it and its faithful people to disappear from Kosovo and Metohija

The Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church stated today that it expresses its deepest condolences to the families of those who perished in the conflict in Banjska and that the goal of those trying to involve the SOC in tragic conflicts is for 'the Serbian Church, along with its faithful people, to disappear from Kosovo and Metohija.'

"With great sorrow in our hearts, we pray to the Savior to welcome all Serbs and Albanians who perished on September 24th in Banjska, Kosovo, into the Heavenly Kingdom. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray to the Most Holy Mother of God to comfort them. We also call upon the faithful people to pray to the Lord for all those who perished, so that God may grant peace to everyone, for the future of both Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija. We must know the simple Gospel truth that we cannot pray to God for peace only for ourselves but that we must also pray for peace with those with whom we live, with our neighbors," the statement said.

They further added that the goal of those portraying the SOC as a participant in tragic events was for the Serbian Orthodox Church, along with its people, to disappear from Kosovo.

"Unfortunately, however, we note that many from Pristina and from the world, but even more tragically from Belgrade, from various ideological circles, sparing no means, are trying to depict the Serbian Orthodox Church as a participant, even as the instigator, of the conflicts and tragic events. The goal of those who want to involve the Church in tragic conflicts at all costs is for the Serbian Church, along with its faithful people, to disappear from Kosovo and Metohija," they emphasized.

They, therefore, reminded of the ten-centuries-long uninterrupted presence of the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren in Kosovo, as well as the fact that the Serbian Orthodox Church, along with its clergy, monks, and people, persevered there in all times, in all conditions, despite the most terrible persecutions, suffering, and martyrdom of monks, priests, and believers, solely because they were Orthodox Serbs faithful to the Cross of Christ and the Kosovo Covenant.

"We also remind that the SOC has always advocated, as it does now, for disputes in Kosovo and Metohija to be resolved peacefully and through dialogue, for the sake of the peaceful coexistence of the Serbs, the Albanians, and all other nations living in that region. We offer our full prayer and every other necessary support and assistance to Bishop of Raska and Prizren, Teodosije, brothers priests, monks, and believers," the statement said.

They noted that SOC had, especially to great powers, pointed to the extremely dangerous policy of the authorities in Pristina, whose sole aim was the complete expulsion of the Serbs and the creation of an ethnically Albanian Kosovo.

"With that goal in mind, countless attacks were carried out on our temples, on our people, and even on Serbian children. In recent months, people have been arrested without any evidence or based on fabricated evidence, and Serbian-owned land has been seized, in short, Kosovo and Metohija today is a land without justice, where there is no freedom or a minimum of normal life for the Serbs," the SOC said.

They emphasized that "Kosovo and Metohija are an inseparable part of the state of Serbia" for the Serbian Orthodox Church and that they supported the continuation of peaceful dialogue in order to achieve peace and resolve life-important issues for all citizens of Kosovo.

"To our brothers and sisters in Kosovo and Metohija, we send a message of boundless love and paternal care. The Serbian Church will continue to help you, our much-suffered but unyielding, proud people in Kosovo and Metohija, wherever it lives and pastorally operates, wishing to provide you with comfort, warmth, and hope even in these difficult days," the statement concluded.