First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic congratulated Easter to His Holiness Irinej, Patriarch of Serbian Orthodox Church, clergy, monastics and to all believers observing this great Christian holiday according to the Julian calendar.

"On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on my own behalf, I extend to you my greetings on one of the greatest Christian holidays, wishing that you celebrate it with faith in a new, better, brighter and more secure future.

Today, as the whole world is facing challenges caused by the coronavirus, we need to remember that Easter is a celebration of the victory of life, but it is also the hope of a life worthy of humankind.

I wish this holiday to be a motivation to us all to persevere in all the hardships and trials that lie ahead, and that Christ's path of victory be our only path towards unity, solidarity, and fellowship based on true values of life.

That is why now it is necessary, more than ever before, to turn to family and friends, because only by believing strongly can we overcome all the obstacles that life has brought on us.

Let's use this time to invest in fellowship and persist in our true faith while standing together in solidarity and emerge from this struggle as winners. I hope that we will persevere in everything, keep each other safe and understand what is best for all of us.

Christ has resurrected!"