DODIK: SERB PEOPLE’S LOVE FOR CHURCH STRONGER THAN ANY ENEMY

PAKRAC, SEPTEMBER 7 /SRNA/ – The President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik has stated today that throughout history, the Serb people has always gathered around, rebuilt, and restored their holy places, as demonstrated by the reconstruction of the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Pakrac.

"Storms, enemies, or the ravages of time may damage or destroy churches, but we are always here to rebuild them and preserve our spiritual existence. The people's love for our Church is stronger than anything," Dodik told reporters in Pakrac. He congratulated His Grace Bishop Jovan of Pakrac and Slavonia on the consecration of the restored church and library, which, as Dodik noted, already holds a mythical significance in the Serbian Orthodox Church and among the Serb people. "Bishop Jovan has achieved tremendous success in almost impossible circumstances. He mobilized important partners to help with the reconstruction of the church. This is a great event, and we in Republika Srpska supported it as much as we could," Dodik emphasized. The president of Republika Srpska also thanked Serbia and Croatia for their donations, especially the faithful Serb people, who made personal contributions to ensure the church was rebuilt and consecrated. "We will continue to restore everything that has been destroyed or damaged by time," Dodik added. His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia today consecrated the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Pakrac, where he also served the Divine Hierarchical Liturgy. The church was heavily damaged during the wars of the 1990s and remained neglected for a long time. Its restoration, which took several years, is the result of the shared effort, faith, and love of the Serb people for their holy site. The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity in Pakrac was originally built around 1750 and is one of the most important Serb sacred sites in Slavonia. Over its long history, the church has served as a spiritual and cultural center for the Serbs of Slavonia, and it was also the seat of the Bishop of Pakrac.