Bishop of the SOC calls on Serbs not to leave Kosovo
The head of the Rasko-Prizren diocese of the SOC, located on the territory of Kosovo, Theodosius appealed to the Serbs of both the northern and southern enclaves of the region with a request not to leave their native land.
This was reported by the RTS television channel, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
“Following the behest of Saint Lazarus, as Bishop of Rashkin and Prizren, I fatherly urge all the faithful to remain at their centuries-old hearths and not to sell the property that our ancestors preserved during the most difficult times of Turkish rule, having survived numerous wars and suffering,” said Bishop Theodosius. “Every time we hear that our people are selling land and leaving their homes forever, we feel pain and loss.
Here we are all bound together in Christ as one body and one soul, no matter where in our Covenant Land we live. It is not easy for many of us to face difficult material conditions, but we also know that our ancestors remained faithful to their faith and homeland in more difficult conditions and thus made a huge contribution to us living here today.”
The bishop urged Serbs selling their lands to be careful not to put their compatriots in an even more difficult position due to their selfishness. Here the Bishop draws attention to the fact that the purchase of Serbian lands in Kosovo is carried out mainly by Albanians, whose proximity could create new problems for the remaining Serbs. He pointed out that while someone might be able to temporarily resolve their financial situation by selling their property and house, they should wonder whether this momentary comfort is worth weighing against the knowledge that it would make things even worse for relatives and neighbors.
“They are determined to remain on our holy land, and our actions could put them in an even more difficult situation,” Feodosius said. “We pastorally urge all of you, brothers and sisters, if you ever find yourself faced with this choice, ask yourself deeply whether it is worth selling land and making money and at the same time bearing a heavy burden of conscience.”
At the end of the address, the bishop quotes the Gospel: “What good is it for a man if he gains the whole world, but damages his soul?”
English version :: Read in English: A bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church called on Serbs not to leave Kosovo.