After several weeks of numerous peaceful demonstrations on the streets of Belgrade and other cities and places throughout Serbia, force was used on behalf of the ruling regime with the intention of quelling the freely expressed will of the people, leading to the shedding of the blood of innocent victims which, as once did Abel's, cries towards heaven.
The Serbian Orthodox Church most sharply condemns the falsification of the people's votes, the quelling of free political and religious activity, not permitting religious education in schools, expelling Saint Sava from Serbian Schools, not returning and destroying confiscated church properties, selling buildings given to the Church centuries ago (something not even the occupiers did), not returning books which preserved the roots of the Serbian people, mistreating clergy and faithful who audibly express their disagreement with the trampling upon of the people's freedom, and especially the beating and murdering of people on the streets of the once freedom-loving Belgrade, and throughout Serbia.
The Holy Assembly of Bishops condemns the authorities which have not only violated the electoral will of the people, but above all have trampled upon our glorious and long-suffering history, centuries of collective memory, image, dignity, name, the Cyrillic alphabet, spiritual and national treasures and sanctuaries, have betrayed Western Serbian Krajina, have brought the nation and state to a complete breakdown and the people to a beggar's staff, have put us at odds with the entire world, and are now attempting to put us at odds with each other to the point of bloodshed so that only their authority may be saved.
Therefore, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as the guardian of the national sanctuaries and treasures throughout the centuries, energetically and publicly brands and condemns this behavior of the ruling regime. The Serbian bishops are convinced that only respecting democratic principles and human rights and the recognition of the results of the November 17 elections can bring to the entire Serbian people and the remaining citizens of Serbia hope for a better future and a peaceful life.
Finding ourselves on the eve of the Nativity of the Divine Christ Child, Who brought us peace, which this world can neither give nor take away from us, we pray to the Newborn Lord that He will give us peace, unity, and love which is so desired. Divine Peace! Christ is Born!
signed in Belgrade January 2, 1997, by Patriarch Pavle and 34 other bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church
reprinted from the Theophany / January 1997 In Communion
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