Minority Catholics and Protestants mark Good Friday

Minority Catholics and Protestants mark Good Friday

BELGRADE -- Serbia's Catholic and Protestant Christians are today marking Good Friday, ahead of the most important Christian holiday, Easter.

The country's majority Orthodox Christian population will celebrate the holiday one week later, on April 12.

In his Easter message, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hocevar has sent greetings to the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church with the message that, with his life, only Jesus Christ is showing them the path to true life.

"One who walks the path of Jesus Christ will not shout in the streets or use batons to prove the truth or freedom, and will not baulk from work or sacrifice on his mission," Hocevar said.

"The European Union has emerged from that spirit and can only be built in that spirit," he said in the Easter message.

"The Son of God, Jesus Christ, who in his earthly life met sinners and Pharisees, whores and prodigal sons, very poor people and wily politicians, never took away anyone's freedom, but urged everyone to conversion by saying: 'Go and sin no more'," said Hocevar.

Hocevar also extended Easter greetings to the Orthodox faithful, who will celebrate the holiday a week later.

Also on Friday, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic offered his warmest greetings to all citizens who celebrate Easter "according to the Gregorian calendar," the Serbian president's press service said.

"May faith and love guide us in overcoming all the hardship of our time and may Christianity keep us together. May all citizens who celebrate Easter according to the Gregorian calendar spend the greatest Christian holiday in happiness, good health and well-being together with their loved ones...