original serbian text at http://www.spc.org.yu/News/09/22-9-00_l.html

The Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church
September 22, 2000

THE HOLY SYNOD OF ARCHPRIESTS
OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Number 1966

September 21, 2000 in Belgrade

TO ALL SPIRITUAL CHILDREN OF THE LAND OF OUR FATHERS

Today, with the conclusion of the pre-election campaign during which,
despite several appeals by the Holy Synod of Archpriests, many heavy words
were uttered, even threats, which have brought unrest and fear among the
people in regard to the upcoming days, as archpastors of the Serbian
Orthodox Church we feel duty bound to again call on the responsible
representatives of the government, as well as on all other participants in
the elections, to do everything within their power for the elections to take
place in an orderly and peaceful fashion, and for their elections to reflect
the true will of the people. Because as ancient wisdom states: the voice of
the people is the voice of God.

The results, such as they are, must be accepted by all participants, because
we know that throughout the civilized world, governments are forced to step
down or are upheld only and exclusively by free and democratic elections.

If, on the other hand, someone attempts to falsify the will of the people, a
danger exists that unforeseeable consequences will result for the nation and
the Land of Our Fathers. All responsible and well-intentioned people - both
those now in power, as well as those who are not - must in the near future
do as much as possible that the retention or the conquest of power should
not result in the spilling of blood of our brothers, which would bring the
most joy to our enemies, and we know full well who has taken possession of
Kosovo and Metohija, as well as of our borders, in order to lead an already
impoverished country into an even more difficult situation.

Therefore, let us hear the words of the Holy Apostle Paul who says "Let
every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification." (ROM 15:2)
In other words, "What ye would not have others do onto ye, do not do unto
them." (ACT 15:29)

HIS HOLINESS PAVLE
ARCHBISHOP OF PEC,
METROPOLITAN OF BELGRADE-KARLOVCI,
AND SERBIAN PATRIARCH

_________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at
http://profiles.msn.com.