His Eminence the Archbishop of Cetinje and the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joanikije, His Eminence Archbishop and Metropolitan of Raško-Prizren Mr. Teodosije, His Eminence Archbishop of Mostar-Trebinje, Metropolitan of Zahum-Herzegovina and Ston-Limorski Mr. Dimitrije and the Reverend Bishops Metodije of Budimlja-Nikšić and Hilarion of Novi Brda, vicar of the Patriarch of Serbia, served a memorial service for the fallen Kosovo heroes from the Kosovo War until today, in front of the monument on Gazimestan, in the prayerful presence of many faithful people.

After the dismissal, Metropolitan Ioannikije addressed the gathered people, who in his sermon recalled the life and suffering of the Holy Prince Lazar and the Holy Serbian Martyrs, saying that he ascended Golgotha ​​with his people, imitating Christ, our God, King and Savior for the salvation of his fatherland. .

"We heard in today's Gospel, which we read on the feast of the Holy Prince the Great Martyr Lazarus, the word of God that says: This I command you, that you love one another. The Lord also said that there is no greater love than that which lays down its life for its neighbors. The Holy Great Martyr Prince Lazar followed that evangelical path, in times of peace raising the churches of God to the glory of God, adorning his fatherhood and his soul. Gathering monks and learned people, to elevate his people as much as possible, to enlighten them as much as possible, bring them closer and unite them with Christ the Lord. Filled with such love, he led his people with great authority, he was the pillar around which the rather disunited Serbian people rallied after the collapse of Dušan's empire. But the people saw in him, even though he was a prince, the heir of Nemanjić and it is no coincidence that we also call him emperor even though he was only a prince in earthly life. But in this temporary life he attached himself to the Kingdom of Heaven and that is why we call him emperor. We call him emperor because he ascended to Golgotha ​​with his people, conforming to Christ God, our King and Savior for the sake of the salvation of his fatherland, sacrificing himself for his people, homeland and for his holy places," said the Most Reverend Bishop.

We renew our faith and renew the vow made by Saint Prince Lazar

The Metropolitan then said that today we are all renewing the vow of our ancestors: "Saint Prince Lazar had the spiritual strength, courage and courage to bravely oppose, together with his knights, a far superior army and to suffer for his faith and fatherland. In such a way, testifying that we are the people of Christ, that we were united with Christ on His Calvary and on His crucifixion, but also that we walk the path of faith, hope and love of God and that the light of Christ's Resurrection illuminates us. In this way we are grounded in the faith of our fathers. And here, following the path of God, we celebrate the 635th Vidovdan and renew our faith and renew the vow that Saint Prince Lazar made in Kosovo, the Serbian sacrificial field. We are filled with hope and love, and we see that the sacrificial field of Kosovo, the sanctuaries of Kosovo and Metohija unite us, both our people who live here in Kosovo and Metohija, and our entire people in the homeland and abroad. That Kosovo is such a place that has holiness and grace that unites and inspires us all, that ennobles and invigorates us all. And nowhere do we feel as good as here, where we have testified to our Christian, Orthodox faith with our blood, not only during the Kosovo battle, but throughout our entire history. I have not yet heard any Christian say, as some others say, that Kosovo and Metohija are lost. No Christian, no true Serb, will ever say that, but some do. But those who speak like that, it will be that they are lost in time and space, that they are bound only to the earthly, and that they have forgotten the Kingdom of Heaven and that they have forgotten and deviated from the vow of the Holy Prince Lazarus, "said Metropolitan Ioannikije.

The SPC in Kosovo protects our spiritual roots

"I have not heard that in the Church yet, and thank God, such a word will never be heard." We hear them say they have an agreement. There were many such agreements, but the most important agreement and deed written in blood was reached in 1389 and was signed by Prince Lazar, Miloš Obilić, old man Jug Bogdan and the nine brothers of Jugović and Toplica Milan, Ivan Kosančić and other Serbian knights. And after them, that deed was signed and written by all the heroes who died for our homeland, for faith and freedom to this day.

People of God, we need a lot of intelligence and wisdom. But I am delighted with the young generation that God has initiated and enlightened and that God is gathering in our sanctuaries. In this regard, I am very grateful to the Most Reverend Archbishop and Metropolitan Theodosius and our abbots, and priests, monks and nuns who have so much love, that they welcome everyone, that they give everyone water with their pure heart and hospitality, and who very often suffer great humiliation and suffering. But God gives them strength because they share both evil and good with their people, whom God has entrusted to them. And they have the support of the entire Serbian people, but also of the entire Orthodox Church. Because here they protect our Orthodox faith and our deep spiritual and cultural roots and water them and flourish and are alive and give strength to us all. May the Lord bless the young generation and all the rest of us together with them who gather here, in Gračanica, the Patriarchate of Pec, Visoki Dečani, the Devič Monastery, the Virgin of Ljeviška, the Zočišt Monastery and other Kosovo holy places and who follow God's path and constantly renew the vow of the Holy Prince Lazar , and who remained faithful to him, not listening to those who say that Kosovo is lost, but listening to their ancestors. And they respect the countless sacrifices that have been made for centuries on the altar of faith and freedom", concluded the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral, Mr. Joanikije, blessing the gathered faithful people.

Sermon by Metropolitan Ioanniki - Besjeda Mitropolita Joanikija