Saint Ilija – the patron saint of Serbs in Cernica

In the village of Cernica, near Gnjilane, locals today celebrate the feast of the Holy Prophet Ilija, the protector of Serbs in Cernica and the patron saint of their church. In the past, this great Christian holiday gathered Serbs from surrounding villages—Parteš, Donja Budriga, Pasjane, and beyond. After the liturgy in the Church of St. Ilija, Cernica homes would be filled with guests. The older generation remembers those times with nostalgia, while the younger ones have never known such better days. Sadly, since 1999, Cernica has become a symbol of suffering for Serbs in Kosovo Pomoravlje. Once home to 150 Serbian families, the village today is reduced to just a few streets with barely thirty Serbian households. After the war, even the local elementary school “Branko Radičević” was moved into one of these homes. Many residents still live in fear of new attacks by extremists. Their memories of childhood and youth are scarred by burned houses, stone-throwing, blackouts, murders, and expulsions. It is no surprise that Cernica’s fertile fields now mostly lie empty, with some families forced to sell their land in fear that their children may face the same fate.

Although many say there is no future for Serbs in Cernica, especially for the young, the bravest and most steadfast locals still open the doors of their village church with their families. Each August 2nd, prayers to St. Ilija rise as the last source of hope. Within those prayers lives the memory of many innocent victims, including children, whose sacrifice will be remembered by their descendants and by all Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and beyond. It seems that the fiery spirit and strength of St. Ilija continue to give courage and blessing to the Serbs who remain in Cernica, helping them hold on to their homes. By honoring their protector, they preserve the Serbian name and Orthodox faith in a place where Serbian heritage has been written since the time of Tsar Stefan. Blessed be today’s feast of St. Ilija and the celebration of the people of Cernica. Eternal glory to the innocent brothers and sisters whose sacrifice must never be forgotten!