SERBIAN PATRIARCH PAVLE DIES AT 95

HEAD OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH,
PATRIARCH PAVLE, HAS DIED IN BELGRADE

BELGRADE, Serbia (UPI) - Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Pavle died Sunday in Belgrade at age 95, officials said. The spiritual leader of Serbian orthodox Christians died at Belgrade's military clinic VMA, where he had been been hospitalized since November 2007, the Serbian news Web site B92 reported. Patriarch Pavle's passing was being marked by the tolling of church bells at the Cathedral Church of St. Michael the Archangel each hour, the Web site said. His body was reportedly taken to the Patriarchy building Sunday where the Holy Synod members were set to hold a memorial service. Pavle was elected patriarch in 1990 after spending 33 years as a bishop in Kosovo. During his time there, he spoke openly of hardships faced by minority Serbs in the majority-Albanian province, B92 said. Pavle was a respected theologian and linguist, known for personal humility and modesty. After the fall of communism and rise of Serb nationalism, the Church regained a leading role during his rule.

"The death of Patriarch Pavle is a huge loss for Serbia," President Boris Tadic said in a statement. "There are people who bond entire nations and Pavle was such a person." He visited Australia, United States, Canada and West Europe. He was also guest at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and at the White House. Patriarch Pavle was the oldest among all living Patriarchs.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Every individual has his peculiar nature distinct form any other. So, obviously individuals will vary in their opinions and tastes and this is quite natural. It is an unnatural thing to attempt forcibly to encage individuals into one fold, faith or particular ideology. Accordingly cultivation of tolerance of others' views is essential for world-peace and unity. ... the primary point to be noted here is that there should be tolerance amongst sponsors of different religious views and respect for other's views, … another point to be noted here is that we should have the patience to understand the underlying spirit of different religious faiths and not merely indulge in disputes in regard to the ritualistic aspects of religions which will certainly vary in different parts of the world in accordance with the change of climate conditions and environments.

Srila Bhakti Dayita Madhava Maharaj :
"Realistic Solution for Diverse Humanity"
Bhaktivedanta Memorial Library - www.bvml.org/SBDMM/