On the occasion of the great Serbian religious and national holiday Vidovdan, HRH Crown Prince Alexander extends his congratulations to the citizens of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska and all Serbs worldwide.
“From many important dates and events that shape our rich national history, few carry such profound symbolism, spiritual strength, and significance for our national identity as Vidovdan, and the feelings of our people towards this sacred day remain unchanged through the centuries.
Their sacrifice of Holy Martyr Prince Lazar and the Holy Serbian Martyrs, when they defended our homeland in the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, was not only an act of courage on the battlefield but also a testimony to their unwavering commitment to faith, honour, and justice. Following the path of our great rulers and knights before them, they chose the higher ideals that have guided our nation through centuries of challenges and trials.
The choice that Prince Lazar made by selecting the Kingdom of Heaven over the Earthly Kingdom remains one of the most powerful messages in our history. Prince’s vow reminds us that our actions must always be guided by universal values of righteousness, honesty, dignity, and responsibility. In a world often marked by uncertainty and division, the Kosovo Covenant calls upon us to remain faithful to those timeless principles, and to place moral duty, honour and integrity, as our ideal and guide.
Vidovdan is the celebration of the everlasting spirit of our people. It is a reminder that strength is measured not only by victories achieved, but also by the values we preserve and the sacrifices we are willing to make for what is right and just. That spirit sustained our nation through centuries and continues to guide us today.
On this Holy Day, our thoughts and prayers are especially with our people in Kosovo and Metohija. We stand with them in solidarity and support, mindful of the many challenges they face while preserving their homes, faith, identity, and heritage in our Holy Land, which holds a central place in our history and spirituality. The torture and discrimination that they are exposed to on an almost daily basis are unacceptable and shameful. But we should never lose faith, as after every Golgotha comes resurrection!
I wish this Holy Day to be spent in peace, unity, and good faith. We must strengthen our unity, care for our families, our neighbours, and our homeland, and remember all those who gave their lives for Serbia and the ideals that have sustained our nation throughout history. Let us remain worthy of their sacrifice and committed to building a future founded on faith, honour, moral principles, respect, and national unity, which are all ideals that are important and inseparable par of Vidovdan. Long live Serbia!”
