His Beatitude called Serbs and Montenegrins to "rest assured-we shall not abandon them in trouble".
"Today, we are demonstrating to the world close links between our Churches, nations and countries."
"When the Russian land was tormented and exhausted [under the Tartar yoke], Serb potentates took upon themselves the care of Russian monks on Mount Athos. When the Civil War was raging in Russia, early in the 20th century, thousands of our compatriots found shelter in Serbia. Today, our turn has come to help Serbia," the Patriarch went on.
"Serbs are ousted from Kosovo and Metohija, cradle of Serb statehood-that with the connivance of international agencies who vouched to bring Serbia peace. Churches and monasteries of Kosovo are ruined and desecrated. They are the land's bad wound that would not heal."
"What is going on in Kosovo is never broadcast on the television nor discussed at political forums in a majority of European countries-but the Lord has destined us Russians to stand by our friends."
When he recently visited Serbia, Patriarch Alexis saw for himself that "the Serb nation would not be subdued or forced to give up its religion, its spiritual basis and its historic destiny".
The Patriarch called all pious Christians to do what they can for a Cathedral of St. Sabbas of Serbia, under construction in Belgrade. The construction is nearing its end, and charitable donations will help to complete it.
"We need Eastern Christian unity, and we are aware of its power. It will help us on our narrow and tortuous road to salvation," Patriarch Paul of Serbia said, in his turn. "To preach the doctrine of Lord Jesus Christ by word and deed is priestly duty. Our faith must live, and it will live on if what we are doing confirms this."
