Statement on the continued destruction of Orthodox shrines in Kosovo

STATEMENT ON THE CONTINUED DESTRUCTION OF ORTHODOX SHRINES IN KOSOVO

The authorities, clergy and faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church have learnt with pain that malefactors have continued to destroy Orthodox churches and shrines in the historic Serbian region of Kosovo. Profound concern has been caused by the report that the church of the Prophet Elijah has been blown up.

The fact that 87 churches and monasteries have been destroyed to date points to the continued persecution of Orthodoxy and the Serbian population by terrorists. It is a well-known fact that the holy churches destroyed during operations in the Balkans are the common human heritage under the protection of UNESCO. Great concern for the preservation of fragile peace in the region has been also caused by the fact that the outrage upon the faith of an entire people has been committed with the connivance of the Peace-keeping Forces in Kosovoi called to control the situation and with the grave violation of international agreements adopted by the UN.

At a time when the much-suffering Serbian people are coming back to peaceful life, trying to forget the horrors of the recent bloody war, forces have appeared, who wish to knock out of these people their spiritual pivot, which is Orthodoxy.

«If any one destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy» (1 Cor. 3:17). I hope and pray that mercy and reason will visit those who raise their hand on shrines and that the world community will protect the Orthodox people of Kosovo, without which a lasting peace with justice is unthinkable.

PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA