Action for the church in Vitina, humanitarian evening in Vrbovac

The humanitarian organization Kosovo Pomoravlje, together with the youth from Vrbovac, organized a charity evening last night at the “Late” café in Vrbovac. During the evening, €572 was collected to fund necessary repairs at the Church of Saint Petka in Vitina.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkju6MZfGqI

The church renovation was initiated thanks to donations from readers of the Russian portal “Pravoslavie.ru,” which helped share our organization’s work and the lives of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija with distant, brotherly Russia. The initiative was warmly supported by many residents of Vrbovac, guests from nearby villages, and the café owner Miloš Kojić. Our organization continues to invite everyone to contribute to this project and help ensure that the church in Vitina shines for the upcoming feast of Saint Petka, which is also the church’s patron saint day. Work still needs to be done: replacing the lighting, restoring the walls, and completing the ongoing repairs to prevent the church from collapsing.

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  Church of Saint Petka in Vitina

Vitina

Vitina almost completely changed its ethnic structure after the 1999 war. Today, only a few dozen Serbs live there, whereas just 21 years ago, around 4,000 lived in the town. The lives of the remaining Serbian population take place mostly on church property, which also houses a new school building for students from Vitina and surrounding villages. The municipal administration has been moved to Vrbovac for safety reasons, and the majority community treats Serbs in Vitina as if they do not exist. The Church of Saint Petka, near which about 40 Serbs still live, remains a sanctuary and a gathering place. The churchyard is still the only space where children and youth can play, socialize, and meet. For those coming from distant villages, social life outside the church grounds is virtually nonexistent.

Memories of attacks and the displacement of the Serbian population remain vivid. Post-war events left fear and uncertainty, shaping even the new generations. That is why it is so important to preserve this pillar of support and survival for Serbs in Vitina and to show compassion for our people who, despite everything, continue to live here and protect Serbian heritage in this part of Kosovo.

Report on the successful completion of the action: 
Saint Petka Church in Vitina after renovation
(04.11.2020)