Patriarch Porfirije: Serbs and Albanians directed toward each other; we pray for the peace of all nations

In his sermon on Christmas morning at the Gracanica Monastery, Serbian Patriarch Porfirije called on believers to embrace peace, reconciliation, and coexistence between Serbs and Albanians.

Patriarch Porfirije emphasizes that we cannot wish for peace for ourselves if we wish unrest upon others.

"Our Orthodox Serbian people have something that no other nation has, and that is a greeting we extend to each other on Christmas Day: 'Peace of God, Christ is born!' In that phrase, our commitment is revealed, showing that we are Christ's, people of peace in the truest sense of the word. Therefore, we know that we cannot only wish for peace for ourselves and that we cannot have peace for ourselves if we wish unrest upon others, our neighbors. Similarly, they must know that if they want peace for themselves, they cannot achieve it if they wish unrest upon us," the Patriarch said.

As he added, Albanians and Serbs are directed toward each other, and therefore, the needs of both must be understood.

"We pray for good and peace within us, but we also pray for all nations and the peace of the Albanian people because we know that God has directed us toward each other, invited us to the beauty and joy of life, to a peace in which love is hidden, to understand that we need each other, and everything we wish for ourselves, we also wish for them. That is our prayer, and that is what this day calls us to," Patriarch Porfirije stated.

He extended Christmas greetings to the believers and emphasized that today, they had gathered in love, faith, and hope before God.