Bishop Artemije: I will receive Ceku only when I have returned to Prizren

Serbian Press Agency SRNA, Bijeljina, Republika Srpska, 20-04-2006 16:04:00

Gracanica, April 20 (SRNA) - His Grace Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren said today that he will be able to receive Kosovo premier Agim Ceku only when he has returned to his restored residence in Prizren and the Orthodox faithful to their homes, the press service of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren advised.

Agim Ceku sent Bishop Artemije a communique on April 14 expressing the desire to visit Gracanica Monastery on the occasion of the Orthodox feast of the Resurrection and to personally wish Bishop Artemije a happy holiday.

In his reply to Ceku's communique Bishop Artemije emphasized that for almost seven years now his status has been that of a forcibly displaced person outside his residence in Prizren, which was torched in the March 17, 2004  pogrom together with the Orthodox cathedral and many other Orthodox holy shrines, and that he is unable to receive Ceku until he has returned to his restored residence and the Orthodox faithful to their homes.