PUBLIC STATEMENT

Peter's Church in Ras near Novi Pazar is one of the most ancient and important places of assembly of the Serbian people. It was here, in the 12th century, during the reign of Stefan Nemanja, that the assembly was established as a spiritual and state expression of unity, faith and national consciousness.

Since 2010, the Nemanja St. Peter's-Deževci Assembly has been traditionally held in Peter's Church, which has become a symbol of spiritual assembly, preservation of tradition and unity of the people of the Raska region. The Assembly regularly gathered clergy, representatives of cultural and educational institutions and numerous believers from the entire region, which testified to its importance and the living tradition of the assembly.

Starting from this historical and spiritual significance, the Citizens' Association CENTER from Novi Pazar raises a justified question as to why the Council was not held this year, thus interrupting the continuity of a valuable spiritual and cultural tradition. The absence of this Council has caused confusion and concern among believers, cultural workers and locals, who recognize in it a living connection with the roots of Serbian statehood and Orthodoxy. We call on the Diocese of Raška-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija to officially announce this issue, so that the public is informed of the reasons for the absence of the Council, but also so that all necessary steps can be taken to preserve, continue and improve this centuries-old tradition in the coming years. At a time when the preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage is of particular importance for the identity of our people, we believe that the restoration and continuity of the Nemanja Council have invaluable value for the entire Serbian cultural and spiritual space.