Christian world

Anniversary of the Allied Bomb Attacks Against Belgrade

Today marks the 64th anniversary of the beginning of the allied bombings of Belgrade in April 1944.

Officially, during the bombings which took place on the Orthodox Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, 1100 Belgrade residents and 18 Germans were killed, while 1400 residents of the capital were wounded. However, the number of the victims is much higher, since the official figures only include those who were buried in mass graves.

On the first day of the attack, more than one and a half thousand tons of bombs were dropped over Belgrade, with more than 400 bomber planes involved.

The Obstetric Hospital in Krunska St., a children's day school, Slavija Sq., Nemanjina and Decanska St., the Bajloni Market, Pasino Brdo, Zeleni Venac, the Main Railway Station, the National Theater, Senjak, Milesevska St,, Knez Mihajlova St,, Queen Natalija St, Milosa Velikog St, and Sarajevska St. got hit.

It is estimated that, from April 16 up until September 1944, more than 4500 residents of the capital died in the allied bomb attacks against Belgrade.

Belgrade has come under bomb attacks seven times during the period from Easter 1941 to the end of WWII.

Source: RTS

On Fasting

Fasting, in our days, has become one of the most neglected spiritual values. Because of misunderstandings regarding the nature of fasting, because of confused and reversed priorities in its use, many of today's Orthodox Christians fast very little, or disregard fasting altogether.

The Great and Holy Council of the Orthodox Church which is scheduled to be convened in the near future has placed the problem of fasting as one of the first items on its agenda. It is hoped that through this Council the age-old practice of the Church to use fasting as one of the important means of spiritual growth will regain its proper place in the life of the Church.

The Cry of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija

Grachanica, 1999.

If I forget thee O Kosovo my Jerusalem let my right hand be forgotten. Let my tongue cleave to my throat if I forget thee my Metohija, if I do not have thee as the opening of my song, my psalmody to my God and my Saviour.

Stefan of Metohija
Hariton of Kosovo