Serbian clergy once again used the gathering held at Gazimestan to deliver remarks in strongly religious and nationalist tones, drawing attention with messages about what they described as their heritage in Kosovo.
During the religious gathering near Obiliq, Rastko Lupulović, who took the religious name Ilarion, emphasized the importance of the “Heavenly Kingdom” and Prince Lazar’s covenant, drawing direct parallels with the presence of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo today.
In his address, Bishop Ilarion, the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Bishop of Novo Brdo, described the Patriarchate of Peć as the very “Heavenly Kingdom translated into the Serbian language,” claiming that the foundations of a “Higher Jerusalem” are located there and at the Dečani Monastery.
“We once again see that we have the foundations of the Heavenly City. Where are they? Here, at the Dečani Monastery, where never before have there been so many pilgrims and believers receiving Holy Communion. Never before have there been so many members of our covenant community. Where are the foundations of the Heavenly Jerusalem here? They are at our starting point, in the Patriarchate of Peć. Because the Heavenly Kingdom, translated into the Serbian language, is called the Patriarchate of Peć. This is the Kingdom whose citizens we wish to become and remain worthy of,” he said.
One moment that drew particular attention was his reference to what is known as the “Curse of Kosovo,” directed at those who betray what he described as their religious and national covenant.
“Whoever does not come to the Battle of Kosovo, may his hand bear no fruit; may rust cover his cap for as long as he lives,” he quoted, delivering what appeared to be a clear warning to those who stray from the path of the Church and from what he described as the only true path.
Beyond messages about never abandoning what he described as their truth and dignity, the cleric also spoke about coexistence.
“Nothing can be taken by force. And when someone tries to take something from us by force, when they wish to take away our covenant, when they forbid our words, we preserve our dignity and wish to remain steadfast even in the most difficult places. I thank you for coming and for leaving while spreading the message of peace. Speak well of everyone, wish good to everyone, including our neighbors who live here with us,” he said.
He stressed that their faith requires them to wish well to everyone, including the neighbors with whom they live, while also declaring in firm terms that they would never give up what they consider to be their truth or allow anyone to take it from them by force.
At the end of the address, blessings from various senior figures of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the region and the diaspora, including Patriarch Porfirije, were conveyed.
Regarding Patriarch Porfirije, the cleric claimed that he has a strong desire to visit Kosovo but is currently unable to do so. The speech concluded with a call for perseverance, describing the territory as a “fearsome place” where strength is required to endure.
