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Glasgow Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
King sends message to mark 30th anniversary of Srebrenica Genocide
More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia – Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War. The Duchess of Edinburgh is on a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the anniversary. The Duchess of Edinburgh speaks at the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sophie delivered a message from the King in which he said he was 'greatly saddened' not to be there in person, adding that he is 'most touched and grateful to be able to share these words as we pay our respects'. In his message, Charles said: 'I have spoken before about the terrible events of thirty years ago, confirmed as genocide by international courts. 'Many of the individuals responsible are now rightly facing justice, but this does not absolve the rest of us of our duties: both to acknowledge the international community's failure to prevent the horror, and to do all we can to ensure it never happens again. 'I humbly salute the Mothers of Srebrenica, and all who do so much, despite their continuing anguish, to preserve the memory of those who died. It has meant a very great deal to me, in past years, to have met survivors, mothers and family members of the missing, for whom I have such admiration. The Duchess of Edinburgh visits the Christian Orthodox Church in Sarajevo's Old Town (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'Their extraordinary courage, compassion and dignity are a lesson to us all, and it is my hope that we may all take inspiration from their incredible resilience under such unbearable circumstances.' Charles also spoke of taking inspiration from 'those who bravely speak out in pursuit of justice and those who dedicate their lives to rebuilding trust between communities for the sake of a better, shared future'. He said: 'These praiseworthy individuals can be found from all walks of life, and from across all ethnic groups, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world. 'But there can be no shared future when the events of the past are denied or forgotten. 'Only by learning from the past does it become possible to share in each other's loss and look together to the future. The Duchess of Edinburgh attends a meeting with the Missing Persons Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'Only by working together to find the missing can there be closure for those still seeking answers. 'Three decades on, it is ever more important to remember all those who suffered, and to redouble our efforts to ensure a peaceful, stable future for all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.' He concluded his message by saying: 'Today, as we remember the victims, those who so tragically died and those who were left behind, let us honour their memory by standing alongside each and every one of those who work so tirelessly to promote understanding and tolerance between all peoples, of all faiths, nationalities and ethnicities, in the ongoing pursuit of a just and brighter future.'
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
King sends message to mark 30th anniversary of Srebrenica Genocide
More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia – Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War. The Duchess of Edinburgh is on a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the anniversary. The Duchess of Edinburgh speaks at the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sophie delivered a message from the King in which he said he was 'greatly saddened' not to be there in person, adding that he is 'most touched and grateful to be able to share these words as we pay our respects'. In his message, Charles said: 'I have spoken before about the terrible events of thirty years ago, confirmed as genocide by international courts. 'Many of the individuals responsible are now rightly facing justice, but this does not absolve the rest of us of our duties: both to acknowledge the international community's failure to prevent the horror, and to do all we can to ensure it never happens again. 'I humbly salute the Mothers of Srebrenica, and all who do so much, despite their continuing anguish, to preserve the memory of those who died. It has meant a very great deal to me, in past years, to have met survivors, mothers and family members of the missing, for whom I have such admiration. The Duchess of Edinburgh visits the Christian Orthodox Church in Sarajevo's Old Town (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'Their extraordinary courage, compassion and dignity are a lesson to us all, and it is my hope that we may all take inspiration from their incredible resilience under such unbearable circumstances.' Charles also spoke of taking inspiration from 'those who bravely speak out in pursuit of justice and those who dedicate their lives to rebuilding trust between communities for the sake of a better, shared future'. He said: 'These praiseworthy individuals can be found from all walks of life, and from across all ethnic groups, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world. 'But there can be no shared future when the events of the past are denied or forgotten. 'Only by learning from the past does it become possible to share in each other's loss and look together to the future. The Duchess of Edinburgh attends a meeting with the Missing Persons Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'Only by working together to find the missing can there be closure for those still seeking answers. 'Three decades on, it is ever more important to remember all those who suffered, and to redouble our efforts to ensure a peaceful, stable future for all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.' He concluded his message by saying: 'Today, as we remember the victims, those who so tragically died and those who were left behind, let us honour their memory by standing alongside each and every one of those who work so tirelessly to promote understanding and tolerance between all peoples, of all faiths, nationalities and ethnicities, in the ongoing pursuit of a just and brighter future.'
Western Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
King sends message to mark 30th anniversary of Srebrenica Genocide
More than 8,000 men and boys were killed on July 11 1995 by Bosnian Serb forces amid the break-up of the former Yugoslavia – Europe's worst atrocity since the Second World War. The Duchess of Edinburgh is on a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark the anniversary. The Duchess of Edinburgh speaks at the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sophie delivered a message from the King in which he said he was 'greatly saddened' not to be there in person, adding that he is 'most touched and grateful to be able to share these words as we pay our respects'. In his message, Charles said: 'I have spoken before about the terrible events of thirty years ago, confirmed as genocide by international courts. 'Many of the individuals responsible are now rightly facing justice, but this does not absolve the rest of us of our duties: both to acknowledge the international community's failure to prevent the horror, and to do all we can to ensure it never happens again. 'I humbly salute the Mothers of Srebrenica, and all who do so much, despite their continuing anguish, to preserve the memory of those who died. It has meant a very great deal to me, in past years, to have met survivors, mothers and family members of the missing, for whom I have such admiration. The Duchess of Edinburgh visits the Christian Orthodox Church in Sarajevo's Old Town (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'Their extraordinary courage, compassion and dignity are a lesson to us all, and it is my hope that we may all take inspiration from their incredible resilience under such unbearable circumstances.' Charles also spoke of taking inspiration from 'those who bravely speak out in pursuit of justice and those who dedicate their lives to rebuilding trust between communities for the sake of a better, shared future'. He said: 'These praiseworthy individuals can be found from all walks of life, and from across all ethnic groups, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world. 'But there can be no shared future when the events of the past are denied or forgotten. 'Only by learning from the past does it become possible to share in each other's loss and look together to the future. The Duchess of Edinburgh attends a meeting with the Missing Persons Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'Only by working together to find the missing can there be closure for those still seeking answers. 'Three decades on, it is ever more important to remember all those who suffered, and to redouble our efforts to ensure a peaceful, stable future for all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.' He concluded his message by saying: 'Today, as we remember the victims, those who so tragically died and those who were left behind, let us honour their memory by standing alongside each and every one of those who work so tirelessly to promote understanding and tolerance between all peoples, of all faiths, nationalities and ethnicities, in the ongoing pursuit of a just and brighter future.'
Kuwait Times
09-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Mitre by mitre: North Macedonian nuns craft priceless holy headwear
In total silence, Sister Elisaveta stitched the sacred headwear for which her monastery in North Macedonia is renowned throughout the Orthodox world. In her careful hands, the mitre glimmered as if spun from gold. The bulbous silk crown, now repaired, was again fit for a bishop. Nestled between mountains and overlooking a placid lake about 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Skopje, Saint George the Victorious monastery produces unique headdresses worn by patriarchs around the world. 'We are the only one in the world that works with this type of mitre,' Sister Efimija told AFP, referring to her workshop of 10 nuns. Sewing secrets The sisters work as a team, helped by two novices, each nun perfecting a particular part of the technique. 'Each of the sisters has her own assignment in the process,' Efimija said, as she watched a colleague make the final touches to her repair work. Some elements of the handmade production are so secret they are known to only a small number of nuns, the 44-year-old said. Originally a home to monks, the monastery was shut by the communist government after World War II and turned into stables. But since it reopened as a convent in 2001, its Christian Orthodox nuns have fashioned 1,700 incredibly detailed mitres, Efimija said. Christian Orthodox nun Efimija works on a mitre. Christian Orthodox nuns Efimija (left) and Elisaveta (right) work on a mitre. Christian Orthodox nun Efimija looks at the embroidery details on a mitre. This photograph shows a mitre, a liturgical vestment embroidered by Christian Orthodox nun Elisaveta. Christian Orthodox nuns Efimija (left) and Elisaveta (right) walk in the yard of the monastery of Saint George the Victorious situated in the village of Rajcica, some 132 kilometers west of capital Skopje, North Macedonia.--AFP photos Christian Orthodox nuns Efimija (left) and Elisaveta (right) walk in the yard of the monastery of Saint George. Although mitres are worn by the Catholic pope, and by bishops and some abbots from several Christian denominations, those made at Saint George are reserved for higher-ranking priests in the Christian Orthodox Church. Exceptionally, the nuns crafted a special headdress for the late pope Francis, which took five months to finish. It was gifted to Francis by a North Macedonia state delegation to the Vatican in 2016. He was 'pleasantly surprised', Efimija said with pride. 'Priceless' Decorated with vibrant colours, gold embroidery and jewels, every mitre weighs between one and two kilograms (2.2 and 4.4 pounds). They take at least four weeks to produce. Some need six months to complete. According to Sister Efimija, the Saint George mitres follow the lavish style of the late Byzantine Empire. But her workshop, with its secret techniques, adds a unique flair. Despite its opulence, the mitre symbolizes the crown of thorns that Christians believe was placed on Christ's head during the crucifixion and Sister Efimija said she hoped each would bring humility to its wearer. 'If the bishop wears such a priceless object on his head and does not feel the burden of torments borne by contemporary man, then he wears the mitre in vain', she said. — AFP
Int'l Business Times
08-07-2025
- General
- Int'l Business Times
Mitre By Mitre: N. Macedonian Nuns Craft Priceless Holy Headwear
In total silence, Sister Elisaveta stitched the sacred headwear for which her monastery in North Macedonia is renowned throughout the Orthodox world. In her careful hands, the mitre glimmered as if spun from gold. The bulbous silk crown, now repaired, was again fit for a bishop. Nestled between mountains and overlooking a placid lake about 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Skopje, Saint George the Victorious monastery produces unique headdresses worn by patriarchs around the world. "We are the only one in the world that works with this type of mitre," Sister Efimija told AFP, referring to her workshop of 10 nuns. The sisters work as a team, helped by two novices, each nun perfecting a particular part of the technique. "Each of the sisters has her own assignment in the process," Efimija said, as she watched a colleague make the final touches to her repair work. Some elements of the handmade production are so secret they are known to only a small number of nuns, the 44-year-old said. Originally a home to monks, the monastery was shut by the communist government after World War II and turned into stables. But since it reopened as a convent in 2001, its Christian Orthodox nuns have fashioned 1,700 incredibly detailed mitres, Efimija said. Although mitres are worn by the Catholic pope, and by bishops and some abbots from several Christian denominations, those made at Saint George are reserved for higher-ranking priests in the Christian Orthodox Church. Exceptionally, the nuns crafted a special headdress for the late pope Francis, which took five months to finish. It was gifted to Francis by a North Macedonia state delegation to the Vatican in 2016. He was "pleasantly surprised", Efimija said with pride. Decorated with vibrant colours, gold embroidery and jewels, every mitre weighs between one and two kilograms (2.2 and 4.4 pounds). They take at least four weeks to produce. Some need six months to complete. According to Sister Efimija, the Saint George mitres follow the lavish style of the late Byzantine Empire. But her workshop, with its secret techniques, adds a unique flair. Despite its opulence, the mitre symbolises the crown of thorns that Christians believe was placed on Christ's head during the crucifixion and Sister Efimija said she hoped each would bring humility to its wearer. "If the bishop wears such a priceless object on his head and does not feel the burden of torments borne by contemporary man, then he wears the mitre in vain", she said. Mitres made at St George are reserved for high-ranking priests in the Christian Orthodox Church AFP St George's monastery was turned into stables in in 1945 before reopening as a Christian Orthodox convent AFP
