Metropolitan Amfilohije in Christmas message

The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Metropolitan Amfilohije today sent the Christmas message to Orthodox Serb Christians. Serbs celebrate the holiday on January 7, according to the Julian calendar. Metropolitan Amfilohije in Christmas message "Serbs, as ancient Christian people, have left an indelible stamp on the history and civilization of the modern Europe and the world, embedding themselves, once and for all, in their future," the message, also signed by all the bishops of the Church, read. The message also encouraged the Serbian people to "safeguard the Orthodox faith, language and alphabet established in the time of Cyril and Methodius, and enlightenment of St. Sava, on whichever continent they might live". “This Christmas season we are especially filled with sadness that our great Patriarch Pavle has left us. We deeply believe that he continues to offer his prayers for our Church and our crucified people, together with Saint Sava and Saint Simeon the Myrrh-gusher,” Amfolohije read. “This Christmas season we are also with our brothers and sisters in Kosovo and Metohija – the cradle of our people. In Christ's love we ask them to return to their homesteads in Kosovo and to stay there to live with their holy shrines," said the message. It also urges those given "earthly power and control" to reexamine their unjust decisions regarding Kosovo, "in the spirit of divine and human justice". “Only in this way will peace and community in the Balkans and Europe be renewed, and the wounded dignity of the Serbi Orthodox people be restored." The metropolitan said that this Christmas, once again, "we remember all those suffering, exiled and all those done injustice". "We wish to console them with the words, Christ is born. Be joyful, because the Lord is coming to wipe away every human tear." Metropolitan Amfilohije reads the Christmas message (Beta) Tadic wishes happy Christmas Also in Belgrade today, President Boris Tadic sent his message to the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) and to all the believers and wished peace and wellbeing. "The year behind us was hard for everyone, and that is why in 2010 we must not forget the ones who were in the most difficult position – our pensioners, people with special needs, our citizens in Kosovo-Metohija," Tadic's message read. The president wished that 2010 would be a "year of gradual recovery from the global economic crisis and a year of solidarity". "Only by being united can we overcome all the problems that we have and only in that way will we defend our national interests, sovereignty and integrity and attain the goal - Serbia's EU membership," Tadic wrote. "I wish that you to spend the holiday of Christ's birth with your family and friends. Peace from God, Christ is Born!" Tadic said in his message.

Metropolitan Amfilohije in Christmas message

"Serbs, as ancient Christian people, have left an indelible stamp on the history and civilization of the modern Europe and the world, embedding themselves, once and for all, in their future," the message, also signed by all the bishops of the Church, read.

The message also encouraged the Serbian people to "safeguard the Orthodox faith, language and alphabet established in the time of Cyril and Methodius, and enlightenment of St. Sava, on whichever continent they might live".

“This Christmas season we are especially filled with sadness that our great Patriarch Pavle has left us. We deeply believe that he continues to offer his prayers for our Church and our crucified people, together with Saint Sava and Saint Simeon the Myrrh-gusher,” Amfolohije read.

“This Christmas season we are also with our brothers and sisters in Kosovo and Metohija – the cradle of our people. In Christ's love we ask them to return to their homesteads in Kosovo and to stay there to live with their holy shrines," said the message.

It also urges those given "earthly power and control" to reexamine their unjust decisions regarding Kosovo, "in the spirit of divine and human justice".

“Only in this way will peace and community in the Balkans and Europe be renewed, and the wounded dignity of the Serbi Orthodox people be restored."

The metropolitan said that this Christmas, once again, "we remember all those suffering, exiled and all those done injustice".

"We wish to console them with the words, Christ is born. Be joyful, because the Lord is coming to wipe away every human tear."

Tadić wishes happy Christmas

Also in Belgrade today, President Boris Tadić sent his message to the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) and to all the believers and wished peace and wellbeing.

"The year behind us was hard for everyone, and that is why in 2010 we must not forget the ones who were in the most difficult position – our pensioners, people with special needs, our citizens in Kosovo-Metohija," Tadić's message read.

The president wished that 2010 would be a "year of gradual recovery from the global economic crisis and a year of solidarity".

"Only by being united can we overcome all the problems that we have and only in that way will we defend our national interests, sovereignty and integrity and attain the goal - Serbia's EU membership," Tadić wrote.

"I wish that you to spend the holiday of Christ's birth with your family and friends. Peace from God, Christ is Born!" Tadić said in his message.