Father Andrej, abbot of the Slanci monastery in the Kosovsko Pomoravlje region

We are grateful to the Lord for the great blessing of welcoming Archimandrite Andrej Jovičić, abbot of the Monastery of Saint Archdeacon Stephen in Slanci near Belgrade, to our village church today with much joy. While visiting holy places in Kosovo Pomoravlje, Father Andrej encouraged us to remain steadfast in our struggle to preserve our homes. He reminded us of difficult times, perseverance, and the unshakable faith in God’s help that our ancestors defended, preserved, and left as our inheritance. Guided by his deep love for Kosovo and Metohija as the cradle of Serbian spirituality, as well as for the people who endure and live in our southern province under difficult conditions, he also visited the Monastery of Draganac. There, he wished abbot Archimandrite Ilarion strength to gather and keep his children in Christ from Kosovo Pomoravlje united in God’s name. Toward the end of his short but very meaningful visit, Father Andrej came to the Holy Trinity Church in Parteš, where he blessed the work of the Humanitarian Organization Kosovo Pomoravlje. He shared a message with the youth of Kosovo and Metohija—to unite, to be aware of the responsibility God has entrusted to them by being born on this holy land, and to be each other’s strongest support in building their families here. “The Serbian Orthodox Church has outlived and will outlive all wars and occupiers; therefore, we must strengthen our faith by remaining on our land and with our Church,” said Father Andrej—words that touched our hearts like the kind advice of a caring parent. We express special gratitude for the promised cooperation between the Monastery in Slanci and our organization, as well as for Father Andrej’s immense support for our work in helping people remain in Kosovo and Metohija. As we bid farewell to our dear Father Andrej, we remain bound to his words, determined not to disappoint the love and joy he brought us with his visit. With his blessing, we will continue to protect the Serbian people and Orthodox faith here, while he, in Slanci, keeps us in his prayers and carries Kosovo and Metohija in his heart.