Officials, dignitaries congratulate Easter

Children in a Belgrade elementary school color Easter eggs (Tanjug)

Officials, dignitaries congratulate Easter

BELGRADE -- Serbian officials, politicians, religious and public figures have issued statements congratulating the holiday of Easter to all those who celebrate it.

President Tomislav Nikolić congratulated on Friday the most important Christian holiday to Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej, priests and the monastic community, and all citizens of Serbia who celebrate this holiday, with the message that the strength of our country is in the understanding, love and solidarity "that our faith teaches us."

Nikolić also extended his message to Catholic and Protestant citizens of Serbia, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Belgrade and honorable fathers of the Archdiocese of Belgrade.

"The victory of our Savior Jesus Christ over death, the doctrine of the resurrection of the son of God, is the hope of all the faithful that justice and goodness are always stronger than injustice and evil. During the holy days when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, let our prayers be dedicated to the health and prosperity of our families, friends, of our diaspora, of our weak and vulnerable compatriots, the progress of our common homeland Serbia, the welfare of every person regardless of their religious affiliation," the president said in his message, and concluded:

"Let the power of our country be in the understanding, love and solidarity that our faith teaches us."

Outgoing PM Ivica Dačić said in his message that he wished the holiday would bring "health, love, and hope, and spiritual peace," and pass in "peace and joy."

Earlier in the week, both Patriarch Irinej and Archbishop Stanislav Hočevar issued their Easter messages.

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