Pavle, Serbian Patriarch

With the traditional greeting: “Peace of God - Christ is born," Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej has congratulated the upcoming Christmas holiday.

Serbia's majority Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7.

Patriarch Irinej's statement, saying Serbs should use force if Kosovo becomes a member of UNESCO and all peaceful attempts to stop it gaining control over Serbian religious monuments fail, was condemned on Wednesday by experts who warned that it could provoke instability.

BELGRADE - Patriarch Irinej and bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church wished all believers who celebrate the biggest Christian holiday, Easter, according to the Julian calendar that it may bring them faith, hope, love and eternal life.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic stated on Thursday that he and Serbian Patriarch Irinej have discussed a draft platform for Kosovo-Metohija which, as he put it, will be acceptable for Serbia and will not jeopardize its sovereignty and territorial integrity.