Church leader appeals to Russia, China

I see that radical orthodox church leaders do not want to accept the reality as it is. The Serbs have lost Kosovo because of Milosevic's actions, and Russia would have to accept this, like it or not.

Yet another clear example of the Serbian Orthodox Church's nose in politics.

Hopefully, China will not have forgotten who bombed their Belgrade embassy in 1999 and killed 3 of their citizens as well as insulted them with excuses of blundering targetting. Back then, China offered to use its veto to prevent the NATO occupation being rubber-stamped by the UN SC, but Belgrade turned it down in the name of peace. Now is the time that a veto would be needed. There are a number of Chinese workers in Serbia, and so the feelings of Serbs will be known to their fellow Chinese co-workers there and on to their embassy.

Didnt Noel Malcom say that being Orthodox and possesing critical thinking skills is a contradiction in terms?

It is so sad to see these militant thugs pretend to be priests and act like they preach God's word. They have turned a religious institution into a nationalist/chauvinist propaganda tool of occupation. Serbs need to get some real priests who will concentrate on the Bible and not on Ahtisaari!

unfortunately we could see only a few days ago, how Albanian are mixing up politics and relgion, when they shot with mortars on a monastery(!)

I think you, Victor and Art, should be careful about your words...you are showing a really frightening approach to reality here...

Very stupid move by church mixing in politics.

Victor!

No, it is the albanians that have lost their right to Kosovo since they have been killing and terrorising the serb population for a long time.

* 250 000 expelled
* Over 150 christian churches destroyed
* Hundreds of serb civilians killed.

It is good to see that Russia, China, Spain, Italy, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Cyprus etc reject albanian demands on a criminal enterprise or so called "independence".

Thanks Russia!

Kreshnik,
Whoever said what you just said is a racist.

Nothing new,considering the past 20 years of their DESTRUCTIV activity.
I knew and am convinced of their role in the all atrocities that serbs did in former YU,and in some cases Milosevic was an Angel comparing with those moncs.
By the way I can swere on god that they are hidding Karadjic and Mladic under their robes.

It is so sad to see these militant thugs pretend to be priests and act like they preach God's word. They have turned a religious institution into a nationalist/chauvinist propaganda tool of occupation. Serbs need to get some real priests who will concentrate on the Bible and not on Ahtisaari!

i agree with every word of Sidi. Church is showing to be on the side of those who started the war and killed the innocent kosovar civilians during the war. This is a disgrace. You want it or not Kosovo/a will be independent. You people (Serb) have to understund that the Albanians do not want to live with u any more. End of the story. You have to live with it.

It is important for everybody to recognize the true meaning of Kosovo- a spiritual victory in the face of a physical loss. The Serbs refused to become Turkish vassals and today church leaders should emphasize this. A modern day parallel is "western integration."

If the physical territory of Kosovo is separated from Serbia politically, Kosovo as its purest concept can still be kept by those Serbs who choose to shun montetary rewards for spiritual ones.

It would actually reinforce this tradition of Kosovo as primarily a spiritual idea for many Serbs if it again became separate from Serbia.

Kreshnik,

Read Nicolai Petro's Crafting Democracy, anything by Patriarch Bartholomew and anything published by St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, and you'll find the answer to that question of your's is a resounding "no".

Sidi (and Kreshnik by comment), they do have them. Father Sava of Decani (you know, that monastery that was never targetted, or if it was, it was by Serb irregulars?) is a very progressive and forward thinking monk who has worked with Albanian groups in the region since 1999. Decani monastery was also know for sheltering Albanian families during the Serbian campaign in 1999. While he deplores the use of violence and ethnic intolerance, he represents the other side of the Serbian Orthodox Church that embraces more liberal ways of thinking, and is being increasingly embraced by younger generations who love their religion and their culture, but want it to work with other communities as well.

Should we then be surprised when some Albanians regard this same church as the enemy?

It is good to see that Russia, won´t use the veto...
One day even Russia has to come to senses

Veritas, if you want to tell the truth and all the truth, please telle us how many mosque were destroyed by the Serbs, how many expelled from their villages and cities, how many killed, how many are still missing... 15 years after the war and the genocide in Srebrenica.

n/a!

What happened at Srebrenica you must ask Naser Oric and his thugs that killed 3000 serb civilians prior to the incident you refer to. And by the way, wasn't that in Bosnia? So what does Serbia have to do with this? ICC where perfectly clear Serbia had nothing to do with the war in Bosnia.

Obviously the Orthodox church does not want independence. Would you want for your self to be wiped out? This is a matter of survivial for the monks and priests, because with independence they know they will face immenent death. Would you want to be ruled by the same people that attack you on a regular basis? At least the Milosevic regime is over and ALbanians can live in safety however the same cannot be said for the Serbs which are suffering in Kosovo.

"I doubt that the Albanians will preserve the Orthodox shrines, because Albanians only destroy,"
-Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II-

Thank god nobody really goes to church, cuz this feller is dangerous

What you expect a priest to say, let us live under the Albanian rule?
They have been doing so for 300 years, and from majority the Christians became a mere minority.

Get real !

I am going to copy and past me comments from B92 dated Feb. 28 2007, that would fit perfect in this Article !!!
“To remind you that, if it was not for the Serbian Orthodox Church, Milosevic would not of got in Office and there would not be over 200,000 people die with the blessing of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Serbian Orthodox Church started the wars in Croatia against the Catholics, In Bosnia against the Muslims and Catholic, and In Kosova (Kosovo to Kate) against the Albanians (Muslims, Orthodox, and Catholics).

You are right about, Stambolic being originally Milosevic mentor. But the facts are in April 1986 Milosevic was elected chairman of the Belgrade city committee and was at that time one off the biggest opponent of Nationalism!!! And in April 1987 with the backing of the Serbian Orthodox Church he emerged as the leading force in Serbian Politics and the biggest Nationalist. With Stambolic backing, Milosevic was elected New Party Leader, with the narrowest margin in 8th Session of the League of Communists of Serbia. In July 1990 with the adoption of Milosevic New Serbian Constitution He gave the Serbian Orthodox Church great influence in political decisions and in return the Serbian Orthodox Church campaigned for him and in the December 1990 elections Milosevic won with over 80.5% of the vote.

My main point is that the state of Serbia in not separated from the Church and even today with Kostunica in office the Church, has even greater influence in political decisions. “

God bless,

It is really shame to hear these words from a pirest.Instead of call for peace and harmoni among serbs and albanians he fills fire with woods that is utterly appalling. This region strongly needs to take trabels away and to restart e new life , to respect first human beings nevermind if you are serb or albaninan or rome or turkish or something else. Every one must know that only cooperation betwen different communities is the key of perspective ,is the key of succsess ,isthe key of econimic development. I am an albanian from Prishtina I have suffered during the war 3 members of my family have been killed by serbian military forces but that time was e terrible regime of Slobodan Milosevic but now is time to live together with serbs with everyone who is not guilty what happened in the past. I appreciate serbian people that has developed sport , good doctores,excellent universities and at least good behaviours.

Kreshnik,

At the risk of both making you look like a fool and making myself talk to thin air, I advise you to look at the link cataloging the list of churches destroyed in Kosovo since 1999.
http://www.rastko.org.yu/kosovo/crucified/default.htm

I could be wrong, but I have little faith you'll believe it, pass it off as authentic, or change your opinion. But this, added to the books and sources I recommended above for people to read and consult at least shows I'm able to back my counterarguments with sources and reliable information. You so far have only brought ignorant and biggoted comments that attest to your limited knowledge of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Serbian minority, and their plight in Kosovo against extremist elements you seem to overlook, deny, or pass off as Serbs dressed like Albanians. And just because your comments are posted on this site, does not give them any validity at being true.

For the record, no one is denying the destruction of Catholic churches or mosques in Kosovo, and nearly every Serb on this site will neither deny it, nor condone it. I'll be the first person to condemn any act of violence done in the name of religion or one's belief in the Divine. Still, I find it troubling that those who seem to be the biggest voices against the SPC have the least amount of knowledge or understanding of it. Americans have been taught to temper their thoughts about making sweeping statements against Islam and Muslims since 9/11. We know that what someone like Osama bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahiri says does not speak on behalf of the entire Muslim community. Likewise, the extremism espoused by less savoury Albanians in Kosovo is not embraced by the majority of Albanians. Therefore I don't think it's a tall order for Albanians - if you want to be taken seriously - to do the same for Serbs and the SPC. Perhaps a tone of reconciliation or effort to improve relations, instead of the worn out knee-jerk reaction of ignorance and violence might help temper the statements of officials like Amfilohije, and might - just might - help improve relations between the two strained communities.

to n/a and others, I saw a couple of mentionings of the Mosques in Belgrade and Nis. If you guys would bother to check both Mosques are working and are either rebuild in the case of NIS and the Belgrade one is half way done to its original being. Let me ask you KOSOVAR's how many Churches are rebuild in KOSOVO, how many are working and how many Mosques in RS and Serbia, Southern Serbia, Sandzak need around the clock international protection from Albanian terrorists. (oh, my bad, I forgot Albanians are the Angels of the Balkans.)

This guy clearly forgot that God has no flags. Instead of preaching peace and love he is just motivating extremists for more violence.
Finally, everyone should understand that Serbs are using Christianity as a selling pich in order to gain some sympathy from the Europeans. Thanks God, people are smarter than that.

Justice Veritas,

Mladic would have slaughtered all the Bosnians no matter! He bombed Sarajevo for years and is responsible for the death of more than 1500 children killed by the Serbian snipers. Dont forget that the ICTY made perfectly clear that the Serbs have perpetrated a genocide in Srebrenica. As for the Serbs from Serbia, Milosevic sent 1000s of paramilitaries, very well paid, to kill as many Muslims as possible. We all know this. Don't you?

We must remeber two things:

• First: the Western World, although influenced by Christianity, has followed a very different path from the Orthodox World since the Great Schism of 1054 (and the subsequent Crusades); and nowadays, rationality says much more in the West than any religious myths;

• Second: Even witn Russia and China vetoing Kosovo’s independence, this doesn’t mean that the province will continue attached to Serbia. Let’s remeber that Israel in 1948 and Bangladesh in 1971 became independent, they didn’t need the approve of the UN Security Council (Bangladesh independence was even vetoed by China). So, if USA, UK, Germany, France, Albania and maybe Croatia recognize independent Kosovo, well, Serbia, Russia, China, Greece would do nothing to stop that.

It is a sad day when people declare war not only on peoples but on their civilization. By attacking valued, treasured communities and houses of God (our churches and monasteries) you are not just fighting our nation with violence, you are fighting our civilization and the foundations of our faith to kill it and to kill us. This is despicable, to attack the cradle of Serbia (the Serbian Orthodox Churches) and try to erase our sacrifice and passion in Kosovo, whom which we have died for in the name of God to the unfaithful. The unbelievers and killers should be ashamed and afraid, and repent before it is too late.

I truly hope as a friend that more Albanians would take up Orthodoxy and Christianity and adopt faith-based morals so they can be saved too. I pray for all good people to believe and drop their wrong ways and ask for forgiveness and see the path Jesus Christ has opened to all of us through God.

Church? Who gives a damn what the church has to say? Hello ol priest its the 21st Century!!

The Serbian Orthodox Church has a right to have thier nose in the polotics of it's people. Serbia is an inherited Orthodox country. Orthodox Christianity and the principles of spiritual freedom or is deeply ingraved in many the Serbian pshyic.
Serbia is not the U.S. it's citizens recognize the deep importants of living by Orthodox Christian principles and not hollywood fantasy life like the west.

To Jon and others that think same!

Let me tell you that those monasteries where ,in not so far past,served and guarded from Albanians,for instance Patriarchate of Peja(Pecka Patrijarsija) was guarded from family Nikci, Albanians from Rugova well knewns as Vojvodas,Decani Monastery was guarded from Family of Cacaj, and Kuci from Decani.So we alvays considered and still consider those monumnents as ours,never attacked them. The largest damage in Pecka Petriar. has been done in a fire in late 80's and early 90's when it was burned "susp. by monks " to destroy some acts and facts that determined the past of that church.Simply covering the truth.
As for younger churches we Kosovars all knew very well that they are build in Milosevics era,and they are so called "Politic Monasteries"and they are destroyed as you knew.
You sure knew wery well for the Church built in the Center of Pristina in the land of Pristina University
it was not built to pray and serve God but to Serve SPS God Milosevic,and is called by albanians "Genocide Monastery".Its to long history, man needs a lot of space to say all is done not just a simple forum.

Victor!

I know what the bosnian serbs did but do you know what the muslims did? It was a civil war in Bosnia you know. That is the starting point if you wish to discuss it seriously.

Do you see me blaming Albania for what is happening in Serbia even if I could and there is plenty of evidence of albanian (the state) support to the KLA terrorists.

I do beleive that Noel Malcolm was right when he asserted that to be Orthodox means to be unable to think critically. Mikey (and others here) have proven that.

Luckily, this old Russian priest merely presides over empty 'houses of God' and a flock that is killing itself voluntarily with vodka.

I will not pay as much attention to him, as to people like Mikey here.

Mikey: those Churches burned by Albanians are seen by them as Serb embassies. If they were after burning churches and killing christians they wouldnt have spared the catholic and evangelical infrastructure that has blossomed in Kosovo lately.


cheers
K

Well Kreshnik, I've tried to talk to you reasonably, but you've only proved you're an ignorant racist with no skills at critical thinking, nor any ability to intelligently engage in a conversation. Not only that, because you have no tangible evidence to support your counter-arguments, you resort to insults, self-righteous conclusions and anti-Christian remarks against 300 million believers. In short: you're the perfect example of the bigotted Kosovar who will provide little contributions to his country's growth and prosperity.

unfortunately, Albanians seem to believe, what kreshnik is claiming here...

but who will blame them for that, they never learned real history, otherwise they wouldn´t compare churchmen with politicians.

every attack on a priest is one more reason to reject ANY albanian claim.

Mikey:

I am not Kosovar, I am from Albania...and I am a Christian meself:)

There was no racist or anti-Christian speech on my part because had there been, it would not have passed the 'filter' in here.

I stand by what I said:

Orthodoxy is mystical and feet firmly up in the air.

The Albanians are not burning Christian infrastructure.

The Albanians will protect those churches because, from what I know, they are now starting to think that it was they that used to worship in them in pre-Ottoman times;)

all the best
K.

I see that radical orthodox church leaders do not want to accept the reality as it is. The Serbs have lost Kosovo because of Milosevic's actions, and Russia would have to accept this, like it or not.

Yet another clear example of the Serbian Orthodox Church's nose in politics.

Hopefully, China will not have forgotten who bombed their Belgrade embassy in 1999 and killed 3 of their citizens as well as insulted them with excuses of blundering targetting. Back then, China offered to use its veto to prevent the NATO occupation being rubber-stamped by the UN SC, but Belgrade turned it down in the name of peace. Now is the time that a veto would be needed. There are a number of Chinese workers in Serbia, and so the feelings of Serbs will be known to their fellow Chinese co-workers there and on to their embassy.

Didnt Noel Malcom say that being Orthodox and possesing critical thinking skills is a contradiction in terms?

It is so sad to see these militant thugs pretend to be priests and act like they preach God's word. They have turned a religious institution into a nationalist/chauvinist propaganda tool of occupation. Serbs need to get some real priests who will concentrate on the Bible and not on Ahtisaari!

unfortunately we could see only a few days ago, how Albanian are mixing up politics and relgion, when they shot with mortars on a monastery(!)

I think you, Victor and Art, should be careful about your words...you are showing a really frightening approach to reality here...

Very stupid move by church mixing in politics.

Victor!

No, it is the albanians that have lost their right to Kosovo since they have been killing and terrorising the serb population for a long time.

* 250 000 expelled
* Over 150 christian churches destroyed
* Hundreds of serb civilians killed.

It is good to see that Russia, China, Spain, Italy, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Cyprus etc reject albanian demands on a criminal enterprise or so called "independence".

Thanks Russia!

Kreshnik,
Whoever said what you just said is a racist.

Nothing new,considering the past 20 years of their DESTRUCTIV activity.
I knew and am convinced of their role in the all atrocities that serbs did in former YU,and in some cases Milosevic was an Angel comparing with those moncs.
By the way I can swere on god that they are hidding Karadjic and Mladic under their robes.

It is so sad to see these militant thugs pretend to be priests and act like they preach God's word. They have turned a religious institution into a nationalist/chauvinist propaganda tool of occupation. Serbs need to get some real priests who will concentrate on the Bible and not on Ahtisaari!

i agree with every word of Sidi. Church is showing to be on the side of those who started the war and killed the innocent kosovar civilians during the war. This is a disgrace. You want it or not Kosovo/a will be independent. You people (Serb) have to understund that the Albanians do not want to live with u any more. End of the story. You have to live with it.

It is important for everybody to recognize the true meaning of Kosovo- a spiritual victory in the face of a physical loss. The Serbs refused to become Turkish vassals and today church leaders should emphasize this. A modern day parallel is "western integration."

If the physical territory of Kosovo is separated from Serbia politically, Kosovo as its purest concept can still be kept by those Serbs who choose to shun montetary rewards for spiritual ones.

It would actually reinforce this tradition of Kosovo as primarily a spiritual idea for many Serbs if it again became separate from Serbia.

Kreshnik,

Read Nicolai Petro's Crafting Democracy, anything by Patriarch Bartholomew and anything published by St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, and you'll find the answer to that question of your's is a resounding "no".

Sidi (and Kreshnik by comment), they do have them. Father Sava of Decani (you know, that monastery that was never targetted, or if it was, it was by Serb irregulars?) is a very progressive and forward thinking monk who has worked with Albanian groups in the region since 1999. Decani monastery was also know for sheltering Albanian families during the Serbian campaign in 1999. While he deplores the use of violence and ethnic intolerance, he represents the other side of the Serbian Orthodox Church that embraces more liberal ways of thinking, and is being increasingly embraced by younger generations who love their religion and their culture, but want it to work with other communities as well.

Should we then be surprised when some Albanians regard this same church as the enemy?

It is good to see that Russia, won´t use the veto...
One day even Russia has to come to senses

Veritas, if you want to tell the truth and all the truth, please telle us how many mosque were destroyed by the Serbs, how many expelled from their villages and cities, how many killed, how many are still missing... 15 years after the war and the genocide in Srebrenica.

n/a!

What happened at Srebrenica you must ask Naser Oric and his thugs that killed 3000 serb civilians prior to the incident you refer to. And by the way, wasn't that in Bosnia? So what does Serbia have to do with this? ICC where perfectly clear Serbia had nothing to do with the war in Bosnia.

Obviously the Orthodox church does not want independence. Would you want for your self to be wiped out? This is a matter of survivial for the monks and priests, because with independence they know they will face immenent death. Would you want to be ruled by the same people that attack you on a regular basis? At least the Milosevic regime is over and ALbanians can live in safety however the same cannot be said for the Serbs which are suffering in Kosovo.

"I doubt that the Albanians will preserve the Orthodox shrines, because Albanians only destroy,"
-Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II-

Thank god nobody really goes to church, cuz this feller is dangerous

What you expect a priest to say, let us live under the Albanian rule?
They have been doing so for 300 years, and from majority the Christians became a mere minority.

Get real !

I am going to copy and past me comments from B92 dated Feb. 28 2007, that would fit perfect in this Article !!!
“To remind you that, if it was not for the Serbian Orthodox Church, Milosevic would not of got in Office and there would not be over 200,000 people die with the blessing of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The Serbian Orthodox Church started the wars in Croatia against the Catholics, In Bosnia against the Muslims and Catholic, and In Kosova (Kosovo to Kate) against the Albanians (Muslims, Orthodox, and Catholics).

You are right about, Stambolic being originally Milosevic mentor. But the facts are in April 1986 Milosevic was elected chairman of the Belgrade city committee and was at that time one off the biggest opponent of Nationalism!!! And in April 1987 with the backing of the Serbian Orthodox Church he emerged as the leading force in Serbian Politics and the biggest Nationalist. With Stambolic backing, Milosevic was elected New Party Leader, with the narrowest margin in 8th Session of the League of Communists of Serbia. In July 1990 with the adoption of Milosevic New Serbian Constitution He gave the Serbian Orthodox Church great influence in political decisions and in return the Serbian Orthodox Church campaigned for him and in the December 1990 elections Milosevic won with over 80.5% of the vote.

My main point is that the state of Serbia in not separated from the Church and even today with Kostunica in office the Church, has even greater influence in political decisions. “

God bless,

It is really shame to hear these words from a pirest.Instead of call for peace and harmoni among serbs and albanians he fills fire with woods that is utterly appalling. This region strongly needs to take trabels away and to restart e new life , to respect first human beings nevermind if you are serb or albaninan or rome or turkish or something else. Every one must know that only cooperation betwen different communities is the key of perspective ,is the key of succsess ,isthe key of econimic development. I am an albanian from Prishtina I have suffered during the war 3 members of my family have been killed by serbian military forces but that time was e terrible regime of Slobodan Milosevic but now is time to live together with serbs with everyone who is not guilty what happened in the past. I appreciate serbian people that has developed sport , good doctores,excellent universities and at least good behaviours.

Kreshnik,

At the risk of both making you look like a fool and making myself talk to thin air, I advise you to look at the link cataloging the list of churches destroyed in Kosovo since 1999.
http://www.rastko.org.yu/kosovo/crucified/default.htm

I could be wrong, but I have little faith you'll believe it, pass it off as authentic, or change your opinion. But this, added to the books and sources I recommended above for people to read and consult at least shows I'm able to back my counterarguments with sources and reliable information. You so far have only brought ignorant and biggoted comments that attest to your limited knowledge of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Serbian minority, and their plight in Kosovo against extremist elements you seem to overlook, deny, or pass off as Serbs dressed like Albanians. And just because your comments are posted on this site, does not give them any validity at being true.

For the record, no one is denying the destruction of Catholic churches or mosques in Kosovo, and nearly every Serb on this site will neither deny it, nor condone it. I'll be the first person to condemn any act of violence done in the name of religion or one's belief in the Divine. Still, I find it troubling that those who seem to be the biggest voices against the SPC have the least amount of knowledge or understanding of it. Americans have been taught to temper their thoughts about making sweeping statements against Islam and Muslims since 9/11. We know that what someone like Osama bin Laden or Ayman al-Zawahiri says does not speak on behalf of the entire Muslim community. Likewise, the extremism espoused by less savoury Albanians in Kosovo is not embraced by the majority of Albanians. Therefore I don't think it's a tall order for Albanians - if you want to be taken seriously - to do the same for Serbs and the SPC. Perhaps a tone of reconciliation or effort to improve relations, instead of the worn out knee-jerk reaction of ignorance and violence might help temper the statements of officials like Amfilohije, and might - just might - help improve relations between the two strained communities.

to n/a and others, I saw a couple of mentionings of the Mosques in Belgrade and Nis. If you guys would bother to check both Mosques are working and are either rebuild in the case of NIS and the Belgrade one is half way done to its original being. Let me ask you KOSOVAR's how many Churches are rebuild in KOSOVO, how many are working and how many Mosques in RS and Serbia, Southern Serbia, Sandzak need around the clock international protection from Albanian terrorists. (oh, my bad, I forgot Albanians are the Angels of the Balkans.)

This guy clearly forgot that God has no flags. Instead of preaching peace and love he is just motivating extremists for more violence.
Finally, everyone should understand that Serbs are using Christianity as a selling pich in order to gain some sympathy from the Europeans. Thanks God, people are smarter than that.

Justice Veritas,

Mladic would have slaughtered all the Bosnians no matter! He bombed Sarajevo for years and is responsible for the death of more than 1500 children killed by the Serbian snipers. Dont forget that the ICTY made perfectly clear that the Serbs have perpetrated a genocide in Srebrenica. As for the Serbs from Serbia, Milosevic sent 1000s of paramilitaries, very well paid, to kill as many Muslims as possible. We all know this. Don't you?

We must remeber two things:

• First: the Western World, although influenced by Christianity, has followed a very different path from the Orthodox World since the Great Schism of 1054 (and the subsequent Crusades); and nowadays, rationality says much more in the West than any religious myths;

• Second: Even witn Russia and China vetoing Kosovo’s independence, this doesn’t mean that the province will continue attached to Serbia. Let’s remeber that Israel in 1948 and Bangladesh in 1971 became independent, they didn’t need the approve of the UN Security Council (Bangladesh independence was even vetoed by China). So, if USA, UK, Germany, France, Albania and maybe Croatia recognize independent Kosovo, well, Serbia, Russia, China, Greece would do nothing to stop that.

It is a sad day when people declare war not only on peoples but on their civilization. By attacking valued, treasured communities and houses of God (our churches and monasteries) you are not just fighting our nation with violence, you are fighting our civilization and the foundations of our faith to kill it and to kill us. This is despicable, to attack the cradle of Serbia (the Serbian Orthodox Churches) and try to erase our sacrifice and passion in Kosovo, whom which we have died for in the name of God to the unfaithful. The unbelievers and killers should be ashamed and afraid, and repent before it is too late.

I truly hope as a friend that more Albanians would take up Orthodoxy and Christianity and adopt faith-based morals so they can be saved too. I pray for all good people to believe and drop their wrong ways and ask for forgiveness and see the path Jesus Christ has opened to all of us through God.

Church? Who gives a damn what the church has to say? Hello ol priest its the 21st Century!!

The Serbian Orthodox Church has a right to have thier nose in the polotics of it's people. Serbia is an inherited Orthodox country. Orthodox Christianity and the principles of spiritual freedom or is deeply ingraved in many the Serbian pshyic.
Serbia is not the U.S. it's citizens recognize the deep importants of living by Orthodox Christian principles and not hollywood fantasy life like the west.

To Jon and others that think same!

Let me tell you that those monasteries where ,in not so far past,served and guarded from Albanians,for instance Patriarchate of Peja(Pecka Patrijarsija) was guarded from family Nikci, Albanians from Rugova well knewns as Vojvodas,Decani Monastery was guarded from Family of Cacaj, and Kuci from Decani.So we alvays considered and still consider those monumnents as ours,never attacked them. The largest damage in Pecka Petriar. has been done in a fire in late 80's and early 90's when it was burned "susp. by monks " to destroy some acts and facts that determined the past of that church.Simply covering the truth.
As for younger churches we Kosovars all knew very well that they are build in Milosevics era,and they are so called "Politic Monasteries"and they are destroyed as you knew.
You sure knew wery well for the Church built in the Center of Pristina in the land of Pristina University
it was not built to pray and serve God but to Serve SPS God Milosevic,and is called by albanians "Genocide Monastery".Its to long history, man needs a lot of space to say all is done not just a simple forum.

Victor!

I know what the bosnian serbs did but do you know what the muslims did? It was a civil war in Bosnia you know. That is the starting point if you wish to discuss it seriously.

Do you see me blaming Albania for what is happening in Serbia even if I could and there is plenty of evidence of albanian (the state) support to the KLA terrorists.

I do beleive that Noel Malcolm was right when he asserted that to be Orthodox means to be unable to think critically. Mikey (and others here) have proven that.

Luckily, this old Russian priest merely presides over empty 'houses of God' and a flock that is killing itself voluntarily with vodka.

I will not pay as much attention to him, as to people like Mikey here.

Mikey: those Churches burned by Albanians are seen by them as Serb embassies. If they were after burning churches and killing christians they wouldnt have spared the catholic and evangelical infrastructure that has blossomed in Kosovo lately.


cheers
K

Well Kreshnik, I've tried to talk to you reasonably, but you've only proved you're an ignorant racist with no skills at critical thinking, nor any ability to intelligently engage in a conversation. Not only that, because you have no tangible evidence to support your counter-arguments, you resort to insults, self-righteous conclusions and anti-Christian remarks against 300 million believers. In short: you're the perfect example of the bigotted Kosovar who will provide little contributions to his country's growth and prosperity.

unfortunately, Albanians seem to believe, what kreshnik is claiming here...

but who will blame them for that, they never learned real history, otherwise they wouldn´t compare churchmen with politicians.

every attack on a priest is one more reason to reject ANY albanian claim.

Mikey:

I am not Kosovar, I am from Albania...and I am a Christian meself:)

There was no racist or anti-Christian speech on my part because had there been, it would not have passed the 'filter' in here.

I stand by what I said:

Orthodoxy is mystical and feet firmly up in the air.

The Albanians are not burning Christian infrastructure.

The Albanians will protect those churches because, from what I know, they are now starting to think that it was they that used to worship in them in pre-Ottoman times;)

all the best
K.