CHRISTMAS SERVICE HELD IN ZAGREB'S CHURCH OF HOLY TRANSFIGURATION

ZAGREB, Jan 7 (Hina) - For the first time since 1990, the Metropolitan of Zagreb, Ljubljana and Italy, Jovan Pavlovic, on Sunday conducted a Christmas service at Zagreb's Church of the Holy Transfiguration for Orthodox believers who celebrate Christmas according to the Julian Calendar. The metropolitan said Orthodox believers were celebrating the jubilee Christmas in new political circumstances, which he said were encouraging. He thanked Croatian authorities and the sister Catholic Church for their welcome and Christmas messages. Days of freedom, respect, dignity and human life are awaiting the faithful. "We crave justice, which is needed by all, and we must, in particular, think about the most destitute ones who need help," he said. Advocating the rebuilding of basic human values, Metropolitan Jovan wished that all horrors of war and all fears be overcome, that refugees return to their centuries-old homes and that the material and spiritual revival among Orthodox believers and all other people of good will start. Attending the service were the head of the Serb Orthodox community in Zagreb, archpriest Milenko Popovic, and his assistant Marinko Juretic. Popovic read out a Christmas message by the head of the Serb Orthodox Church, Patriarch Pavle. Attending the service, among else, was the president of the Serb People's Council, Milorad Pupovac. (hina) rml,