Serbian Priest Presents the "Kyiv-Pechersk Paterikon" in Serbian and Speaks Out in Defense of the UOC

In the Serbian town of Surčin, at the Church of Saint Paraskeva, priest Strahinja Golijan presented the Serbian-language edition of the «Kyiv-Pechersk Paterikon.» During a conversation with journalists, he not only discussed the book but also spoke in defense of the sacred sites of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which are currently under attack. This was reported by the Serbian branch of UOJ.

«The ‘Kyiv-Pechersk Paterikon’ is a collection of the lives of all the saints whose relics rest in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra,» explained Fr. Strahinja. According to him, the book includes accounts of the monastery’s founders — Saints Anthony and Theodosius — and other ascetics who labored there. A special part of the book is dedicated to the origin of the Lavra itself, which grew from humble caves into «one of the most beautiful gardens of the Most Holy Theotokos.»

He drew a parallel with the Soviet-era persecutions, recalling the relics of Saint Alexander of Svir, which the communists attempted to discredit. «When they cut into the saint with a scalpel, he opened his eyes. When they stitched them shut and cut again — blood flowed,» the priest recounted.

«Anyone who desecrates holy relics will end up like the communists and Nazis,» warned Fr. Strahinja. «They are merely human and should not play with God or His saints.»

Addressing the faithful in Ukraine, he added: «Hold on to God, carry Him within your heart. Protect your life and the lives of your brothers.» He reminded that the Ukrainian people have endured Tatars, Mongols, French, Germans, and communists: «And so I believe they will also survive this regime, which now causes them so much pain and sorrow.»

It is also worth noting that international lawyer for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Robert Amsterdam, once again spoke out in defense of the canonical Church, stating that only a state plagued by corruption and impunity would attempt to ban a religious institution with a thousand-year history.