The sad anniversary of the persecution of Serbs and the destruction of Christian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija (VIDEO)

On this day, 14 years ago, in Kosovo and Metohija, erupted the largest ethnic-motivated conflicts since the arrival of international forces in this Serbian province.

In just two days, Albanians destroyed a large number of Christian temples (some of them 800 years old) of priceless value. This crime has not been punished. On the contrary, most western countries rewarded them for the destruction of Christian heritage four years later by recognizing Kosovo's independence.

Two days of conflict in Kosovo broke out on March 17, 2004, after UNMIK police found bodies of two Albanian boys in the Ibar River in northern Kosovo and Metohija. Mass demonstrations by Albanians, who unjustly accused Serbs of the accident, first arose in the southern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, and during the day they expanded to other parts of Kosovo and Metohija.

Even an international police investigation has confirmed that the Serbs have nothing to do with the drowning of Albanian boys. However, in this tragic event, the Albanians saw an opportunity to expel as many Serbs as possible from Kosovo and Metohija.

In two days of incomprehensible criminal violence, Albanian extremists killed 28 people and more than 900 people were injured, including members of the international police. About 900 houses, Serbian cultural and historical monuments, about 35 Orthodox churches and monasteries were destroyed or damaged. Several thousand Serbs left their homes.

It is estimated that more than 4,000 Serbs were expelled from their homes in Kosovo and Metohija.

This pogrom led to the mass persecution of Serbs, the most massive since NATO-led aggression against Serbia in 1999.

 Several documentary films were recorded on these events.

On March 21, 2004, Serbia declared a day of mourning for victims during the unrest.

Thousands of people protested in the cities of Serbia because of an attack on Serbian enclaves.

Except public condemnation from all international actors, most of the participants have remained unpunished till today, and the incalculable damage has not been remedied.

RUINED AND BURNED SERBIAN CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES ON 17, 18 AND 19 MARCH:

Monastery Devič, Srbica, 1434th year

Monastery of the Holy Archangels, Prizren, XIV century

The Cathedral of St. George, Prizren, 1887

Church of Vavedenja, Belo Polje, Pec, XVI, XIX century

Church of St. Nicholas, Prishtina, XIX century

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, Djakovica, XVI, XIX century

Church of the Holy King Uros, Urosevac, 1933

Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljeviska, Prizren, 1306/1307. year

Church of St. Nicholas (Tutic), Prizren, 1331/1332. г.

Church of St. Savior, Prizren, 1330

Church of the Presentation - Holy Sunday (Markova), Prizren, XIV century

Church of St. George (Runovića), Prizren, XVI century

Church of St. Sava, Kosovska Mitrovica, 1896.

St. Andrew's Church Prvozvanog, Podujevo, 1930

Church of St. Nicholas, Kosovo Polje, 1940

Church of the Holy Archangel Michael, Shtimlje, 1922

Church of St. Panteleimon, Prizren, XIV, XX century

Church of St. Vrach, Prizren, XIV, XIX century

Church of the Holy Sunday, Živinjane, XVI, XIX century

Church of St. Nedelj, Brnjača, Orahovac, 1852

Church of St. Lazarus, Piskot, Djakovica, 1991/1994.

Church of St. Elijah, Bistražin, Đakovica, XIV century / 1930. year

Church of St John Preteče, Peć

Church of St John Preteče, Pećka Banja, 1997

Church of St. Elijah, Nekodim, Urosevac, 1975

Church of St. Peter and Paul, Talinovac, 1840

Church of the Birth of the Virgin, Softović, first half of the 20th century

Church of Saint Panteleimon, Donja Šipašnica, Kosovska Kamenica

Church of St. Catherine, Bresje, Kosovo Polje

Church of St. Elijah, Vucitrn, 1834

Church of the Birth of the Virgin, Obilić, XX century

Church of St. Peter and Paul, Istok, 1929

Church of St. Petka, Vitina

The building of the Bogoslovija, Prizren, 1872

Building of Vladičinski dvor, Prizren, XX century