DODIK: WORLD WOULD BE BETTER PLACE IF MORE WERE INVESTED IN SPIRITUALITY RATHER THAN ARMAMENTS

JERUSALEM, SEPTEMBER 8 /SRNA/ – President Milorad Dodik and Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem discussed today in Jerusalem the importance of preserving the Christian presence in the Middle East, interfaith unity and peace in the world, SRNA’s correspondent reported.

Dodik said that the entire world is currently facing major challenges and disorder, and that every effort aimed at establishing peace is of exceptional importance. He stressed that enormous amounts of money are being allocated to armaments around the world, and assessed that the world would be a better place if more were invested in spirituality and education. Dodik informed Patriarch Theophilos III that he had attended the funeral of General Ratko Mladić and conveyed greetings from His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia and Metropolitan Jefrem of Banja Luka. Patriarch Theophilos III emphasized the importance of the Christian Church in the Middle East and stressed that the Patriarchate of Jerusalem brings together people of different peoples and nations. He says that peace is a sacred word and that it is necessary to strive to preserve it, particularly in view of the numerous conflicts and violence around the world. Patriarch Theophilos III presented Dodik with an icon of the Holy Sepulchre.