St. Uros Cathedral in Urosevac was one the religious sites affected by the fury of protestors who caused severe damage during the violent events of March 2004. A few days ago the bells of the Cathedral sounded again, thanks to the generous efforts for the reopening of the Church by the Greek Kosovo Force.
As it was stated to ANA – MPA by the Commander of the Greek Kosovo Force Colonel George Chatzitheofanous, recently on September 11th, the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Amphilochios (Amfilohije), officiated Divine Liturgy with other Serbian Priests and Father Parthenios of Thessaloniki.
The Divine Liturgy was attended by 150 Serbians and old residents of Urosevac who left during the war and returned a few days ago from their permanent residences in Serbia.
As noted by the Greek Colonel who was present at the Divine Liturgy along with other officials of the Greek Kosovo Force and Greek policemen of EULEX, the atmosphere was very overwhelming.
The construction of the Cathedral of St. Uros was completed in 1933 by architect Joseph Mihajlovic. It was the largest church in the city of Urosevac. The Cathedral was built in honor of the patron saint of the city; an old Serbian king who became a saint.
During the serious events of March 2004 the church was taken over by Albanian demonstrators and suffered severe damage. The Greek Kosovo Force which guarded the Church had to withdraw under extremely difficult circumstances as it could not control the civilians.
Since then the cathedral of St. Uros remained closed with barbed wire, piles of trash dirt, rubble, as well as plant growth. This image of abandonment was exactly what the Greek Force wanted to change and in this effort it earned many allies and helpers. Regional bodies, the Mayor, the Imam, the Catholic Bishop and others assisted Colonel Chatzitheofanous.
Additionally KFOR military priests which included an American Colonel, an Ukranian Colonel, and a German Lieutenant Colone responded to this appeal, along EULEX representatives and the OSCE.
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