PATRIARCH PORFIRIJE: PRAYERFUL REMEMBRANCE OF SERBIAN MARTYRS IS A LIVING RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS FUTURE

BELGRADE, JUNE 18 /SRNA/ - Prayerful remembrance of 3,267 innocent Serbian martyrs in the Middle Podrinje and Birač regions represents a living responsibility towards the future, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said at a meeting with members of the Organizing Committee marking 34 years since the suffering of Serbs in Middle Podrinje and Birač.

“A people that remembers its victims remains in an inseparable communion with God and truth,” Patriarch Porfirije said at a meeting in the Patriarchal Palace with a delegation from Republika Srpska consisting of priests and mayors from the Podrinje region. Members of the Organizing Committee informed Patriarch Porfirije about the final preparations for this year’s commemoration of 34 years since the mass suffering of Serbs in Middle Podrinje and Birač, which will be held on July 4 in Bratunac under the auspices of the highest institutions of Republika Srpska. Members of the Committee stressed that the support of the Serbian Orthodox Church /SOC/ and of the Serbian Patriarch personally is of immeasurable importance for all efforts related to preserving the memory of the victims. Thirty-four years since the mass suffering of Serbs in Middle Podrinje and Birač will be commemorated on July 4 in Bratunac, and a memorial service for 3,267 fallen Serb soldiers and civilians from the region will be served by Patriarch Porfirije.