Bishop of Raska and Prizren, Artemije, accompanied by the Prior of the monastery of Visoki Decani, Father Teodosije, and Decani monks visited Serbs living in Gorazdevac and Osojane on Saturday, August 25.

It has been more than two years since Metohija was almost entirely abandoned by Serbs who fled the terror of ethnic Albanian extremists in the first days after the end of the war. The Serb population has remained only in small village enclaves such as Gorazdevac, Suvo Grlo, Crkolez and Banja, where a few hundred Serbs have managed to survive under the most difficult conditions of isolation and daily terror by the extremists. KFOR forces maintain round-the-clock patrols in these enclaves because for Serbs throughout the Province and especially in Metohija, there is no freedom of movement, living or work.

In Gorazdevac there are presently over 200 Serb families numbering more than 800 souls. The village is secured by Italian military forces, while in the immediate surroundings there is not a single Serb village or hamlet has survived the post-war savagery of the extremists. The Bishop and the monks were greeted by approximately 50 people in front of the Church of the Birth of the Most Holy Theodokos. The group assembled in the parish hall where Bishop Artemije addressed the gathering. In his homily Bishop Artemije expressed happiness that the residents of Gorazdevac had managed to stay in their homes and protect their village under nearly impossible conditions. The Bishop repeated that the Church stood by its people as it had always done, regardless of the still uncertain future. There was discussion regarding various difficulties of everyday life in Kosovo. Bishop Artemije acquainted the people with the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church that it was in the best interest of the Serb people to register because this confirmed their determination to remain and survive in their centuries-old homes.

After visiting Gorazdevac, Bishop Artemije was escorted by Italian KFOR troops to the Serb village of Osojane, located between Djurakovac and Klina, where two groups of a total of 83 returnees had recently arrived. Even though the village is gradually returning to life, conditions remain extremely difficult and the returnees are still living in tents. The stronger ones who are able to work are well on their way to completing the roofs of the first five restored houses. As a start, building material is good supply and the UNHCR delivers building material as well as food supplies. The organization also brings fresh fruit and vegetables for the returnees. Nevertheless, it is necessary to prepare larger reserves of food for the winter months and one of the current priorities is to purchase freezers.

The largest concern of the returnees, however, is their families. For the most part, only heads of households have returned to Osojane, a few of them with their wives, while children and other members of their families remain in collective refugee centers in central Serbia until conditions for their return are established. Since these people are mostly the sole providers for their families, they now have the additional problem of providing the necessary means for life for their family members who have remained in collective refugee centers who themselves are waiting to return. Bishop Artemije spoke with a number of the returnees and learned of their problems and difficulties.

He promised on his own behalf to do everything in his power to acquaint representatives of the state and organizations which could relieve the problems of the returnees. A detailed list was put together with the addresses of all families so that assistance could be sought for them from various state institutions and companies. The returnees also expressed a desire to receive a visit from the newly appointed head of the Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija, Dr. Nebojsa Covic, in whom the Serbs of this region place great hopes.

Because the most important matter right now is to replace roofs on as many houses as possible, there is a great need for skilled laborers. The Bishop and monks found Serbs from Suvo Grlo and Crkolez in Osojane, who had arrived to help their neighbors. The residents of Gorazdevac also intended to offer assistance but they were not provided with an escort. Even under these difficult conditions of isolation, traditional solidarity in times of trouble was not lacking.

Viewed as a whole, security conditions in Osojane are presently satisfactory, as Spanish KFOR forces in the area are extremely conscientious in securing the village and its immediate surroundings. Of course, the situation is far from normal but the spirit and enthusiasm of the returnees are at an admirable level, which raises hopes that this newest Kosovo-Metohija enclave will survive and take on new life, and also that the process of repatriation will continue. At the end of his visit, the Bishop visited the heavily damaged Church of the Archangel Gabriel. Due to its almost complete destruction, it has been planned to build a new shrine in its place from the existing material.

After Osojane Bishop Artemije and Father Teodosije visited the elderly nuns of the Monastery of Gorioc near Istok, who also live completely isolated under the protection of Spanish KFOR troops. The Monastery of Visoki Decani regularly cares for this monastery, which is its appendage (metoh), and every Sunday Decani monks serve Holy Liturgy in it.

Text and photos taken from : http://www.decani.yunet.com/osojane_e.html

ITALIAN KFOR REPAIRS BRIDGE NEXT TO MONASTERY OF VISOKI DECANI