Over two decades ago, in March 2004, one of the most devastating outbreaks of violence occurred against the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. What began with false accusations quickly escalated into a wave of orchestrated attacks aimed at erasing the Serbian presence from the province. Within just two days, 20 people lost their lives, over 4,000 Serbs were forcibly expelled from their homes, and entire Serbian neighborhoods were wiped out. Homes, schools, health centers, and cultural institutions were burned to the ground. Thirty-five Orthodox churches and monasteries were desecrated and vandalized, and over 10,000 invaluable religious relics and artifacts were destroyed in an attempt to rewrite and erase history. The destruction was not just physical — it was an attack on identity, heritage, and the right of an entire nation to exist on its ancestral land. Despite the scale of the violence, justice remains elusive, and those responsible have gone unpunished. Twenty-one years later, the wounds of the March Pogrom remain fresh. Remembering these events is not just about honoring the victims — it is about ensuring that such crimes are never repeated.

Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in New York, Vladimir Božović, had the honor of attending the solemn liturgy at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, New Jersey, together with H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander and H.R.H. Crown Princess Katherine. The Holy Liturgy was officiated by His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America, with the concelebration of the clergy and the presence of numerous distinguished guests and parishioners. Gathered in the spirit of faith and unity, we shared a feast of love in the parish home after the service. It is a great joy to be part of the Serbian community, which, despite being far from the homeland, preserves its faith, culture, and traditions with immense love.