Church's appeal to Kostunica

The church's Bishop Justin congratulated Mr Kostunica

The text of the Serbian Orthodox Church's statement to opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica calling on him to assume the duties of Yugoslav president.

Dear Dr Vojislav Kostunica, elected president of Yugoslavia,

In a sign of joy that the presidential, parliamentary and local elections in our homeland, on 24 September 2000, transpired peacefully and with dignity, the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church calls on Dr Vojislav Kostunica and his fellow elected citizens to assume the administration of the state, its parliament and municipalities in an equally peaceful and dignified manner.

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With dignity and on the basis of the results received, which are proof of the trust of the people to which they belong.

With dignity and responsibility in the absolute sense of the word, because we know that this nation, which has suffered frequently, has always thought about its freedom.

Therefore, today, when to all intents and purposes it has achieved the freedom it has wished for, those it has elected must not, through their behaviour, allow the tears of sorrow to flow down a single face.

Only in that case will the Lord of the Sky and the Earth in the Holy Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit - bless the start of your daily work and answer the prayers of the Orthodox Church of Saint Sava, with the Patriarch at its head.

Chairman, Holy Synod AEM and Serbian Patriarch, Pavle.

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