In Kosovo, two US servicemen receive baptism in Serbian Orthodox Church
Bishop Hilarion and Americans who have embraced Orthodoxy. Photo: UOJ in Serbia
On Great Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Draganac Monastery in Kosovo and Metohija, Bishop Hilarion of Novo Brdo performed the Baptism of two American military men serving at the Bondsteel military base near Uroševac, reports SPJ in Serbia. The newly baptized accepted the Orthodox faith and received the names Sava and Simeon, becoming members of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
The event attracted the attention of believers – the baptism of foreign armed forces servicemen specifically at one of the shrines of Kosovo and Metohija became a significant spiritual testimony.
The baptism on Great Saturday – a day that in Orthodox tradition carries deep symbolism of life's victory over death – additionally emphasized the spiritual meaning of this event and the personal choice of the newly baptized.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Patriarch of Serbia urged world leaders to protect Serbs in Kosovo.
Read also
Dumenko holds "service" at seized UOC church in Boyarka
On September 29, the head of the OCU performed a "divine service" at St. Michael's Church in Boyarka and rewarded the raider-rector.
UOC hierarchs mark 30th anniversary of Holovchyntsi Convent's revival
UOC bishops and clergy of the eparchy congratulated the abbess of the Transfiguration Convent and her sisters on the memorable date.
UOC cleric discusses life of Ukrainian parishes with Hungarian official
A UOC priest and a Hungarian official paid particular attention to issues of practical interaction between Ukrainian parishes and government authorities.
Ukrposhta issues stamp featuring Lavra for Soviet-era reserve's anniversary
The new postal block, issued in a print run of 40,000 copies, depicts the Lavra's churches, bell tower, and ancient frescoes.
Met. Theodosiy links his criminal case to ex-prosecutor named in NABU tapes
A Cherkasy court extended Metropolitan Theodosiy’s preventive measure for another two months – until November 29, 2026.
Stefanchuk: Seeking UCCRO-LGBT compromise on new Civil Code
The Verkhovna Rada speaker said the working group is seeking a broad public compromise as it revises the draft of the new Civil Code.