Believers celebrate Christmas at St. Nicholas Church in Pristina: Coming here for the holiday inspires hope that we will return someday

Dozens of faithful gathered on Christmas morning at St. Nicholas Church in Pristina to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, conveying the message that during these days of joy, hope awakens that Serbs will one day return to the city they were expelled from in 1999.

The liturgy at St. Nicholas Church, attended by displaced persons from Pristina, those still living in the city, and residents of nearby areas, was led by priests Stanisa Arsic and Srdjan Stankovic.

Father Stanisa Arsic wished that Jesus would bring peace to every individual, family, and home, emphasizing that peace is most needed by the people in Kosovo and by Orthodox Christians suffering around the world.

“Our people in Kosovo and Metohija endure these hardships, but with God’s help, hope, and faith, we will overcome them all. We will persevere, as they say. I believe it was St. Stefan Nemanja who said, ‘As long as your voice and your language can be heard in your homeland, know that it is not lost.’ Let us, dear brothers and sisters, do everything within our power, not just the surplus, not what’s left over, but the very best we have, the biggest portion we hold in our hands, and that is our faith. Faith in God, faith in the One who came among us to bring peace,” Arsic said.

The gathered faithful experienced the Christmas celebration in Pristina with deep emotion.

Marko Markovic from Caglavica noted that celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in Pristina carries a “special blessing from God.”

“To be in Pristina during these days, especially for such significant holidays, holds a unique charm, emotion, and divine blessing. Just the thought that this was a place where over 40,000 Serbs lived two decades ago, and now fewer than ten remain, stirs a certain sadness. Yet, during these joyful days, it also awakens hope that one day we will return and witness better times,” Markovic said.

Novica Stolic, who was expelled from Obilic, strives to attend St. Nicholas Church in Pristina for every holiday.

“It’s a wonderful feeling. I was baptized here, married here, and ever since we were displaced from Obilic, I have been here for every holiday. My message to the world is that only peace, unity, and justice can save all of humanity on this earth,” Stolic said.

Dragana Pajovic expressed her wish for more and more Serbs to gather at the liturgy every year.

“God has granted, and God will continue to grant, that our numbers grow and that we come together in the churches of the Serbian Orthodox Church. May this day be happy and blessed,” Pajovic said.

She added that she visits St. Nicholas Church in Pristina almost every week.

“We are here, and whenever possible, my family and I visit this church,” Pajovic said.

The liturgy in Pristina included the youngest attendees, such as Irina Markovic, who celebrated Christmas with a poem.

"Christmas has arrived, bringing joy to all, spreading kindness with its coming. There is no end to happiness and cheer, it forgives and reconciles, uniting with love. May His love guide everyone. Peace of God – Christ is born," Irina said.

St. Nicholas Church was built by Orthodox Serbs from Pristina in 1833 on the foundations of a medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery. However, it was set on fire along with its parish house during the March Pogrom in 2004. It was rebuilt several years later.