Metropolitan Joanikije in Gracanica: Kosovo is the spiritual and historical hearth of the Serbian people

Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral said in his homily following the Divine Liturgy at Gracanica Monastery that Kosovo is the common hearth of the Serbian people—both spiritually and historically—and that this should serve as a covenant for all to cherish love for Kosovo, its holy sites, and especially for the suffering Serbian people living there.

Metropolitan Joanikije said that Vidovdan is a distinguished feast that gathers Serbs wherever they may live, and particularly in Kosovo, at Gracanica Monastery and Gazimestan.

He said that Holy Prince Lazar was a man of profound faith and a devout ruler who, having accepted the burden of princely authority in extremely difficult times, devoted himself to leading his people to Christ, enlightening them, educating them, and uniting them.

"Having cultivated many virtues within his soul, he possessed the authority to unite the Serbian noblemen, who were difficult to bring together both in the past and in our own time. Yet Prince Lazar, as a man of virtue and love, united both the nobility and the entire nation. He had the courage and strength to stand against the dreaded invader, who advanced irresistibly like a storm. No one could withstand him until he reached the Field of Kosovo, that bloody battlefield, where Holy Prince Lazar awaited him with his army. The Prince sacrificed himself and did not allow the ruthless conqueror to overrun Serbia as he had other lands. He laid down his life, together with his heroes, for the Holy Cross and the Golden Freedom," Metropolitan Joanikije said.

He emphasized that although the Battle of Kosovo was militarily lost, Prince Lazar, together with his warriors and his people, achieved a great moral victory.

"That victory inspired us throughout our arduous history, marked by suffering and the Cross, and it is why we have always fought for freedom. We continue to fight for freedom today," said the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral.

He noted that the wound of Kosovo continues to bleed to this day and that the Serbian people, almost everywhere, and especially in Kosovo, continue to endure great suffering.

"But this does not discourage us, because when we bear the Cross, we know that we are following Christ's path, the path of the holy Orthodox faith. Kosovo is crucified, and that is precisely why it possesses the holiness, strength, and sacredness to gather us together, unite us, enlighten us, and continually elevate us both spiritually and culturally. This is the common hearth of the Serbian people, both spiritual and historical. It is therefore no surprise that today we have gathered here from all corners of the world and from Serbian lands. Let this be our covenant—to nurture our love for Kosovo, for its holy sites, and especially for the suffering people of Kosovo and Metohija," Metropolitan Joanikije said.

He added that Serbian mothers continue to raise heroes and that, as he put it, there are today "Mothers of the Jugovic Brothers" in Kosovo, whom Metropolitan Teodosije honors with awards each year.

"Every Serbian head of household and every Serbian mother in Kosovo today walks in the footsteps of Holy Prince Lazar and the Mother of the Jugovic Brothers. I would also like to mention some of the heroes of Kosovo in our own time: the archimandrites, abbots, abbesses, monks, nuns, and priests who share both hardship and joy with their people, demonstrating great courage and profound love. I would also mention the seminarians of Prizren, who are not afraid to study in Prizren, where our people have become few—we all know the circumstances there. Yet they continue their spiritual education and bear remarkable and inspiring fruits," Metropolitan Joanikije said.