Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral celebrated a divine liturgy at the Peć Patriarchate, one of the most revered shrines of the Serbian Orthodox Church, located in Kosovo. Addressing worshippers after the service, the hierarch called on believers to give thanks to God in all circumstances, preserve their faith, and avoid reducing religious life to the mere external observance of rules.

Reflecting on the Gospel reading about the healing of a woman on the Sabbath, Metropolitan Joanikije said that strict adherence to law without love and mercy leads to spiritual blindness. “If a person relies only on rules, the soul comes to a standstill,” he said, stressing that Christian life is impossible without openness to God, His grace, and compassion for others.

The metropolitan also emphasized the importance of communal prayer and church unity, noting that, according to the faith of the Church, believers most fully partake in divine help during worship. He expressed support for the monastic community of the Peć Patriarchate and thanked the nuns for preserving the shrine, whose doors, he said, remain open to all.

Despite the difficult situation in the region in recent years, Metropolitan Joanikije noted a growing number of worshippers attending services at Orthodox holy sites in Kosovo, including the Peć Patriarchate and the Visoki Dečani Monastery. This trend, he said, shows that the Serbian people, even amid trials, continue to remain faithful to their spiritual roots.

In his closing remarks, the metropolitan conveyed the blessing of Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and urged believers to repentance and inner spiritual renewal.

The Peć Patriarchate is a medieval monastic complex dating back to the 13th century and served as the seat of the heads of the Serbian Church during the Middle Ages. The monastery is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is regarded as a spiritual symbol of Serbian Orthodoxy. It is currently under international protection.