All Souls’ Day in Pristina: Our loved ones deserve to have us visit them on this day

Several dozen Serbs gathered today at the Orthodox cemetery in Pristina to visit the graves of their loved ones on All Souls’ Day.

Although the cemetery in Pristina has been partially cleared, traces of the destruction and desecration of gravestones remain visible.

Displaced Serbs lit candles for family members and friends buried there.

“I came to light candles for my parents. We lived in Pristina for many years, and then look what happened—my mother died and my father was killed. It is difficult; you have to endure everything. It is a long way to come, but they deserve to have me visit them. I am glad their graves have not been destroyed,” an elderly man from Pristina said.

Another former resident of Pristina, who moved to Mitrovica after 1999, said he had not noticed any new desecration of gravestones.

“I came, as is customary, to light candles. I live in Mitrovica. Compared with what the cemetery looked like after 1999, I can say that it is in fairly good condition now. I have not noticed any new damage,” he said.

As in previous years, Father Stanisa Arsic, the Serbian Orthodox parish priest of Pristina, conducted a memorial service at the cemetery.

The Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful are observing the St. Demetrius All Souls’ Day, also traditionally known as the Autumn All Souls’ Day. On All Souls’ Days, the faithful visit cemeteries and light candles at the graves of their loved ones. St. Demetrius All Souls’ Day is always observed on the Saturday preceding St. Demetrius Day (Mitrovdan), the feast dedicated to the Holy Great Martyr Demetrius, celebrated on November 8.