Serbian Church commemorates victims of Yugoslavia bombing

Patriarch Porfirije. Photo: Orthodoxia News agency

On March 24, 2026, on the Day of Remembrance for the victims of the 1999 bombings, commemorative events were held in Serbia, during which Serbian Patriarch Porfirije conducted a memorial service at the monument to the fallen in the city of Vranje, reports Orthodoxia News Agency.

The Divine service took place on the territory of the National Museum Complex, where the Primate of the Serbian Church offered prayers for the victims of the bombings that began 27 years ago and honored their memory.

In 1999, Yugoslavia was subjected to bombings by NATO, which lasted from March 24 to June 10. The operation was aimed at military infrastructure and facilities associated with the Yugoslav security forces, in the context of the conflict in Kosovo. However, strikes were also carried out on infrastructure targets, as a result of which civilians were affected and factories, bridges, buildings, and other civilian objects were destroyed.

In his address, Patriarch Porfirije noted that Serbia still bears the consequences of the war and called on the world community, especially those who make crucial decisions, to end hostility and stop bloodshed.

"We appeal to the entire world, and especially to those who have the power to make fateful decisions, with a call to end all hostility, stop destruction, and use the God-given forces to establish peace within man and throughout the world," he said.

The Primate emphasized that the Serbian people remain faithful to peace and will not abandon it despite any trials. "No one and nothing, especially violence and bombs, can force us to abandon peace as a life program," declared the Patriarch, adding that such a legacy was left to the Serbian people by Saint Sawa.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the Primate of the Serbian Orthodox Church stated that the family suffers first and foremost from the spread of gender ideology, which destroys a human being.

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