Office for Kosovo and Metohija
Government of the Republic of Serbia

Kosovo and Metohija is essence of Serbian identity

"For Serbs, Kosovo and Metohija is not just a piece of territory, but the essence of our identity and the spiritual and historical axis of our people", Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Đurić said after the midnight Easter liturgy in the Church of St. Demetrius in North Kosovska Mitrovica.

Midnight Easter liturgy in the church of St. Demetrius in Kosovska Mitrovica was served by the Archpriest Milija Arsović in the presence of many believers.

"Let the hardships of our days retreat before the holiness and joy of the resurrection of Christ, and let us never forget that Easter means a new start, and a positive pledge and foundation of our resurrection," said Archpriest addressing a crowd of believers.

In the north of Kosovo and Metohija, in Kosovska Mitrovica, in the temple of Saint Demetrius, the most joyous Christian holiday of Easter was welcomed by the Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Đurić.

"In this paschal night, let us remember the words of our holy Patriarch Pavle, who responded to the question when we would live better by saying that it would be when we become better people. And let us recall his words reminding us that God will help us if there is someone to be helped", said Marko Đurić, adding that "on this Easter we must make an effort to remind ourselves of the human values which shape and build as us a nation."

Đurić said that we must recall that the Kosovo and Metohija is wherever Serbs are.

"Kosovo and Metohija does not represent just a piece of territory for the Serbs, but the essence of identity for the Serbs and our spiritual and historical axis as a people", said Đurić after the midnight Easter liturgy.

Đurić greeted all Orthodox believers with traditional words: "Hristos vaskrse, vaistinu vaskrse".

The interim president of the provisional municipal body of Kosovska Mitrovica Aleksandar Spirić, and mayor of the North Mitrovica Goran Rakić congratulated Easter to their fellow citizens, saying that peace and tolerance are of utmost importance at this time.

"Today Serbian nation is crying out for some peace and quiet, and in the upcoming days we must persistent and be wise since that is the only way for us to be able to remain in our centuries-old homes," said Spirić, while wishing believers peace and happiness.

In his Easter greetings, the Mayor of the North Mitrovica Goran Rakić wished for peace, happiness, health, love, and "a lot of peace which we direly need at this moment".

Rakić also recalled the event which took place just two days prior to Easter, involving a group of Albanians who physically assaulted a Serbian youth S.N, and said that "the incident did not have tragic outcome only by God's will."

Festive atmosphere in the temple of Saint Demetrius was enhanced by the church choir "Branislav Nušić".

Easter celebration also represents the end of the Great Lent for the faithful, one of the strictest Lents, and a first bite of non-lean should be Easter eggs which are customarily painted in red as a tribute to the blood that Christ shed.

On Easter the Orthodox Christians in Serbia exchange traditional greeting "Hristos vaskrse, vaistinu vaskrse".