Orthodox Serbians celebrate Easter

Orthodox Serbians celebrate Easter

Irinej welcomed the arrival of the Holy Fire from Jerusalem together with Nikolic and shared it among SPC priests and gathered people. Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Chepurin, and Serbian Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic were among the officials in attendance.

Christianity's most important holiday was celebrated by Serbia's Orthodox majority Christians this year on May 1.

In his message on Sunday, Tomislav Nikolic wished Serbian citizens who are Orthodox Christian believers, especially the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, a happy Easter.

"The Christian faith implies the fact that Christ miraculously altered the entire meaning of human existence and by victory over with death, made life possible. The faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us the strength to overcome temptations, to make sacrifices for our brother and forgive those who don't like us, and to forgive everyone who is indebted to us," Nikolic said.

"I wish you to spend this day in peace, harmony and love," the president said.

"Christ is Risen! Happy Easter!" Nikolic said, quoted by the press service of the president.

Head of the Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric attended the Easter liturgy in the Gracanica monastery in Kosovo and Metohija and wished Orthodox Christian believers in Serbia a happy Easter.

During his visit to the monastery, Djuric said that Easter had a special meaning to all of our people in Kosovo and Metohija and during Easter, the Serbs in Kosovo prayed for the resurrection of the strength and glory of the Serbian state.

At Easter, the Serbs in the province also pray that the Serbian state and the Serb people may be strong enough to persevere in the difficult times we live in and to help each other stay and survive here, said Djuric.

"Kosovo and Metohija, says Patriarch Irinej, is something that unites and keeps together all Serbs, wherever they may live, and the Kosovo idea lives in all Serbs. That is why we here in Kosovo, with love for the whole Serbian nation and with prayers for the resurrection of Serbia's strength and glory, wish all believers in Serbia a happy Easter. Peace of God - Christ is risen," Djuric said.

Djuric visited Gracanica together with his closest associates from the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, and Kosovo Minister for Returns Dalibor Jevtic.