July 27, 2004

ERP KiM Newsletter 27-07-04

ERP KIM Info Service
Gracanica, July 25, 2004

On Thursday, July 23, 2004 Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Kosovo and Metohija Charles Brayshaw told media that UNMIK had set aside an additional half million euros in addition to the previously earmarked amount of one million euros for the restoration of churches and monasteries destroyed during the March violence.

The truth, however, is that so far work has not even begun on any of 30 Orthodox shrines damaged or destroyed during the March pogrom, let alone on any of the other 11o shrines damaged during the previous five years of so-called international "peace". It makes sense to ask what happened to the one million euros provided earlier for restoration when work has not even begun; if it had, the Diocese of Raska and Prizren would be the first to know. Even if the entire sum had been spent on the purpose for which it was intended, for that matter, it is grossly inadequate to cover the cost of repairing the damage. Just the damages done during the March pogrom is estimated at incomparably more.

In any case, it is with regret that we must conclude that an effort is being made to create a false public perception that work is being done on restoring churches and monasteries, which is simply not the case. Even though senior officials of the international community have made the restoration of destroyed churches one of the conditions for Kosovo institutions the task has not been fulfilled and UNMIK skillfully skirted it by proposing the establishment of a commission to concern itself with the issue of restoration. Although more than a month has passed since the signing of an agreement between the Diocese and UNMIK representatives, nothing has been done toward the rebuilding of the destroyed shrines.

Precious Serbian cultural and historical monuments are decaying with each passing day without even temporary protection from rain and bad weather. Bogorodica Ljeviska (Holy Virgin of Lyevish) and other Prizren churches have not even been cleaned and reek of urine while KFOR has blocked off the locations with wire and protective tape. The lack of care and interest toward this holy shrines on the part of appropriate institutions is extremely shocking.

The Diocese of Raska and Prizren therefore wishes to expresses its strongest protest to UNMIK and Kosovo provisional institutions due to manipulation of the public and the attempt to hide the barbaric destruction of Orthodox shrines and skillfully evade the responsibility of payment of damages. Such irresponsible behavior represents a continuation of the crime against these holy shrines which continue to deteriorate with each passing day.

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Celebration of feast on the burned ruins of Holy Archangels Monastery near Prizren

Holy Archangels Monastery continues to live even though those who set fire to it imagined that they will forever destroy the shrine and expel its monks. The example of Holy Archangels, and of Devic Monastery, demonstrates that Christ's Church cannot be destroyed and that Christian shrines are like the phoenix which rises again from the ashes. Just as life and resurrection stepped out from the grave of Christ, hence too from our torched shrines once again the light of Christian life shines and draws to itself the faithful, representing a sign of encouragement and consolation for all," said Bishop Teodosije in his sermon.

Bishop Teodosije with clergy and faithful served Holy Liturgy
on the burned ruins of Holy Archangels Monastery

ERP KIM Info Service
Gracanica, July 26, 2004

The monks of Holy Archangels Monastery celebrated this year's patron saints day on the burned remains of their monastery, which was torched during the March pogrom this year. With the blessing of Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren, Vicar Bishop Teodosije, served Holy Hierarchal Liturgy with the clergy of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren in the presence of some 200 faithful who did not mind the effort of celebrating the feast of the Holy Archangel Gabriel of the ruins of the martyred Holy Archangels Monastery near Prizren.

In his sermon Bishop Teodosije reminded the faithful that even after its first destruction, when the stones of the monastery were used to build Sinan Pasha's mosque in Prizren, Holy Archangels in all its beauty was resigned to the heavens but continued to live in the prayerful remembrance of the faithful of Prizren and the surrounding area who continued to come to this sacred place to pray. "We feel the blessing of the Lord who has pledged us to build and rebuild, not to destroy what was built by others. That is why Holy Archangels Monastery continues to live even though those who set fire to it imagined that they will forever destroy the shrine and expel its monks. The example of Holy Archangels, and of Devic Monastery, demonstrates that Christ's Church cannot be destroyed and that Christian shrines are like the phoenix which rises again from the ashes. Just as life and resurrection stepped out from the grave of Christ, hence too from our torched shrines once again the light of Christian life shines and draws to itself the faithful, representing a sign of encouragement and consolation for all," said Bishop Teodosije during the sermon.

"Today we are here on the ruins of our holy shrine; despite this, we are filled with unutterable joy. That is because here we feel the living presence of the holy ascetic laborers and monks who built themselves into this shrine, which lives on in spirit and shines like torch on the mountain," concluded Bishop Teodosije. He called on all honorable residents of Kosovo and Metohija to oppose the destruction of Christian holy shrines and make it possible for Orthodox Christians to live free lives.

Bishop Teodosije expressed special thanks to the commander of KFOR Brigade South-West, Italian general Errico Danilo, and the commander of the German contingent, colonel Erhard Buehler, whose soldiers provided security today for the prayerful gathering at Holy Archangels. "We are happy that the KFOR commanders are here with us today, as they were a few days ago at Zociste. Their presence, as well as the great efforts they are investing to help our Church, represent a source of encouragement for us all and hope that the tragic events of March will never again be repeated," said Bishop Teodosije.

the ruins of the church and  the festal lunch

Holy Archangels 2004 Click on any thumbnail photo to download in larger format

arh2004cv.jpg arh2004ev.jpg arh2004dv.jpg arh2004av.jpg

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