Statement of the Holy Synod of Russian Orthodox Church on the 2nd anniversary of the bombing of Yugoslavia and the new tragic events in the Balkans (03.04.2001)
4.04.2001 · English, Архив 2001
STATEMENT
of the Holy Synod of Russian Orthodox Church
on the 2nd anniversary of the bombing of Yugoslavia
and the new tragic events in the Balkans
Two years have elapsed since the NATO troops began their lawless hostilities against Yugoslavia. Unfortunately, no profit has been derived from the lessons of history taught in the time that has passed since. In the Balkans, in all-times-Orthodox Macedonia, a new tragedy has been flared up.
Two years ago the most important principles of international law were challenged, namely, the sovereignty of a state and its right to protect its integrity and security against any encroachment, be it internal or external. In the course of the bombing a great many innocent people suffered. This was followed by an actual alienation of the Kosovo region from Yugoslavia, a historical spiritual center of the Serbian people. The semi-military who in some cases had never lived in Kosovo before began to commit outrages in that land, hurting Serbs who became a small remnant in the region. The tragedy of hundreds of refugees and numerous split families still torments the Serbian lands. The haters of Orthodoxy have destroyed nearly one hundred churches, many of which are counted among the world cultural heritage.
Unfortunately, all this happens with the connivance of the countries which have assumed responsibility for the restoration of peace in Kosovo. In fact, they have created a situation where people continue suffering, the law is grossly violated, and the Serbian and Albanian communities, divided by troops and limitless hatred, will hardly be able to live together. This is not peace. This is the turning of a conflict into perpetual hatred.
The West has failed to curb the semi-military who wish to seize as much land as possible. The terrorists have started hostilities first in the Serbian areas adjacent to Kosovo and now in Macedonia. In this country, where only recently peace seemed to be lasting, now blood is shed and people are killed.
The new tragic events in Europe and the world have made many to realize at last what a great danger international terrorism presents, especially when used in big world policy. However, some continue to believe that a concession to the radical separatists is possible and even desirable for “the cause of peace”.
In this situation the Holy Synod resolutely declares that any compromise with the evil leads only to its proliferation and even greater suffering of people. Therefore, we fully support the efforts of the Macedonian authorities and army to curb terrorism, to restore law and order and to protect the integrity of the country. The Russian Orthodox Church expresses her deep sympathy for the Orthodox Christians in Macedonia and will remember them particularly in her prayers. We share the sorrow of all the people in that country and pray for their deliverance from suffering. But we call upon those who raised their hand against peaceful people to bethink themselves. If there are problems in the life of ethnic minorities, they should be resolved by peaceful and lawful means in the hope for the good will of the people who have lived in the land of their ancestors for centuries.
The world community is called by God and history to prevent repeating the mistakes of Kosovo in Macedonia. The terror and radicalism should be resolutely stopped. We hope that the leading countries of the world, Russia among them, will help the Macedonian people to free themselves from the threat hanging over them.
We trust that the Lord will dispose towards peace the hearts of the Macedonian people – Slaves and Albanians and people of all nationalities and faiths. May blood never again water the Balkan land and may the Lord “wipe away tears from all faces, and take away the reproach of his people from all the earth” (Is. 25:8).
Moscow, April 3, 2001
See also:
His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Belgrade