Only we Serbs have Vidovdan, and ours is always here in Kosovo.

Patriarch Porfirije’s sermon at Gračanica Monastery (Vidovdan 2021).

Vidovdan has been a symbol of freedom since the Battle of Kosovo a freedom still spoken of today freedom of choice. Our ancestors, led by Saint Prince Lazar, left us the Kosovo covenant, rooted in the teachings of Saint Sava and the noble Nemanjić lineage, guiding us in faith and life.

The path of our ancestors

It has never been easy and still isn’t to follow this path. It’s not the shorter or easier road, but it is the path of love and justice. A continuous desire for unity in faith, in God, in people, and ultimately in one land and one language. The Vidovdan path is a consciously chosen path of sacrifice, with unwavering belief in resurrection. It means giving up worldly rewards, even life itself, for the sake of the heavenly kingdom.

The children of Vidovdan

For those of us who grew up with stories of the Kosovo covenant, old Serbian traditions, and beliefs from Kosovo and Metohija, each year when we celebrate Vidovdan here, it feels like we are choosing the same path as our ancestors. It’s never easy, though tougher times are remembered. Sometimes we are more, sometimes less, we leave, and we return.

Kosovo peonies still bloom

The most important thing is that we are still here! And that every year we joyfully celebrate our great holiday, uniting Serbian history, traditions, faith, and customs—what the holy fathers call both earthly and heavenly Serbia. Only we Serbs have Vidovdan, and ours is always in Kosovo. We are proud to be born and to live here, in the land of Saint Prince Lazar and many Kosovo heroes, where centuries of the most beautiful Serbian songs are sung, keeping the living Vidovdan tradition alive.

Living the covenant

Our future goal is to preserve the soul of the Serbian people through our work. To protect culture, language, and Orthodoxy as our highest values. To use our knowledge and strength to help people remain on their lands in Kosovo and Metohija, so together we can continue living Vidovdan!

Glory to Saint Prince Lazar and all Kosovo martyrs! We are grateful today for the legacy they left us: to live with dignity, freedom, and justice.