Porfirije Patriarch: Serbs Are One People Beyond Borders
Hadži Marko Vujičić
Patriarch Porphyrio of Serbia declared today in Velika, near Plav, Montenegro, that Serbs are one nation despite their political, social, and other differences.
– We are one nation, the followers of St. Sava, a people of faith, freedom, and peace. Even though political boundaries exist, we are under the Peja Patriarchate, and when we understand our identity, we can live harmoniously and prosperously with everyone – stated Patriarch Porphyrio, as reported by RTCG.
Following the liturgy held at the church of the Holy Martyrs Kirik and Julita in the village of Velika and Gornjepolim, Porphyrio expressed gratitude to God for uniting the community of Christ.
“The martyrs of Gornjepoljski and Veliki remind us today through their sacrifices and martyrdom,” Patriarch Porphyrio remarked.
In attendance were Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Coast, Mileševo’s Atanasije, and bishops from Pakračko-Slavonski, as well as Metropolitan and Metropolitans from Ljubljana, including Methodius.
Bishop Methodius thanked Patriarch Porphyrio for his visit, emphasizing that this represents “a beacon of hope for a new era where suffering and martyrdom will connect with joy and lead to salvation for all.”
Prior to the liturgy, wreaths were laid in honor of the area, and after the service, a parastos was conducted along with the traditional sharing of gifts and cake cutting.
The gathering in Velika saw the presence of Montenegro’s leaders and officials including Andrija Mandić and Marko Kovačević (NSD), Milan Knežević and Mihailo Asanović from DNP, as well as Vladimir Joković, Damjan Ćulafić, and Momo Koprivica (Democrats) along with Serbia’s Minister of Culture, Nikola Selaković.
During the latter part of 1944, Nazi military units and SS troops “Skenderbeg” committed genocide in Velika. Recent studies indicate that over 500 civilians were killed, including more than 100 children.
A memorial complex was established at the site in the late 1970s, and the church of Saints Kirik and Julita was reinforced on July 28, 2001.
On July 30, 2022, the Parliament of Montenegro passed a resolution acknowledging the genocide in Veliki and Vašica.