Albanians shelling near Visoki Decani Monastery

Albanians shelling near Visoki Decani Monastery, monks in prayer in church, U.S. reinforcements expected to arrive soon
Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija - March 17, 2004

Gracanica, March 17, 2004

The Diocese of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija wishes to inform the public that several mortar shells have fallen not far from Visoki Decani Monastery which were fired by Albanians at the monastery. Italian forces are presently protecting the Monastery. U.S. special forces are expected to arrive soon to reinforce defenses.

In the meanwhile the Monastery of Holy Archangels near Prizren has been evacuated because German forces were not ready to protect the monastery. The monks from Holy Archangels are safe in a German military base; however, according to some reports, the monastery has already been set on fire, as have numerous other churches in Prizren. We have also received information that the 14th century Church of the Holy Mother of God of Ljevis is in flames.