Serb returnees in Drsnik celebrate first patronal feast of their church - St. Paraskeva

In his address to the faithful, Father Makarije first called on the people to return to their centuries-old homes and bring them back to life from the ruins because that is the only way that Serbs can prove that they care about this area and that they want to stay here and live here. "The Church has been and will be with you always to support and to help you as it has always done throughout history," said Fr. Makarije

We are restoring our holy shrines through prayer - Liturgy in Drsnik (click on photo to enlarge)

KIM Info Service
Drsnik, October 27, 2005

On October 27 Serb returnees to the Metohija village of Drsnik near Klina celebrated the feast of St. Petka (St. Paraskeva), the patronal feast of their local church, for the first time after they were forced to leave their centuries-old homes and live as refugees five years ago.

Protosingel Makarije (Ristic) of Visoki Decani Monastery served Holy Liturgy with the concelebration of Decani monks in the presence of several hundred faithful, local residence and well-meaning persons who arrived to the celebration of St. Petka in Drsnik from nearly enclaves in Kosovo and Metohija. Oliver Ivanovic and Randjel Nojkic, representatives of the Serb List for Kosovo and Metohija, were also present for the service.

In his address to the faithful, Father Makarije first called on the people to return to their centuries-old homes and bring them back to life from the ruins because that is the only way that Serbs can prove that they care about this area and that they want to stay here and live here. "The Church has been and will be with you always to support and to help you as it has always done throughout history," said Father Makarije.

His Grace Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan, vicar of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren and abbot of Visoki Decani Monastery, visited the village of Drsnik last week, distributing assistance to the returnees and encouraging them to persist in their determination to stay in their native village.

Faithful arrive in Drsnik by bus (click on photo to enlarge)

The first Serb returnees came back to Drsnik in July of this year. In the meanwhile 38 houses have been rebuilt and two more are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. According to plan a total of 126 houses and the local church are to be restored.

Local Serbs collected funds for the rebuilding of the parish home and took care of the most urgent reparations on the church. The church of St. Paraskeva, which dates back to the 16th century, was completely torched inside in June 1999 and is in need of complete renewal and restoration of the surviving frescoes. Master builder Vita, who spent his whole life working next to the church and praying to God, is ready to resume work on the restoration of the church as soon as funds are collected. The returnees firmly believe that when the church is restored the village itself will come back to life.