KARAN: MEMORY OF JASENOVAC MARTYRS IS LASTING FOUNDATION OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 13 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan said that Republika Srpska was born from the tragedy and remembrance of the Jasenovac New Martyrs and is a legacy that must be preserved and protected with even greater unity.

Speaking to reporters at the celebration of the patron saint's day of the Orthodox Military Chapel of the Holy New Martyrs of Jasenovac at the "Kozara" Barracks, Karan said that throughout history, the Serbian people and Serbian soldiers had continually fought for freedom and survival. "The greatest strength of the Serbian soldier has always been the fact that he fought defensive, patriotic and liberation wars and knew how to defend his home, his mothers and fathers, his children and his homeland," Karan stressed. He added, however, that the soldier's greatest spiritual strength, which sustained him through the most difficult times and the hardest battles and wars of past centuries, came from the Church and the Orthodox faith. "And that is precisely why this patron saint's day and this chapel are dedicated to the Jasenovac New Martyrs, who remain an inexhaustible source of strength for us today, as well as a foundation for our lasting remembrance and memory," Karan emphasized. He said that Republika Srpska itself had emerged from the tragedy of the Jasenovac New Martyrs and from the memory and remembrance of their suffering. "Today, Republika Srpska draws its strength from their suffering and sacrifice. It is a value that we must never again allow anyone to take away from us, and we must all stand united in preserving it," Karan said. He noted that the state, the people and freedom had become one, adding that Republika Srpska responds to all attacks institutionally and resolutely. He added that this patron saint's day should once again serve as a reminder of the strength of the institutions, the strength of Republika Srpska and freedom, and that Republika Srpska must be defended with even greater determination and unity. Karan congratulated all Orthodox Serbs, members of the Ministry of Defense in the Council of Ministers and the Armed Forces, on the patron saint's day of the Orthodox Military Chapel at the "Kozara" Barracks, dedicated to the Holy New Martyrs of Jasenovac.