Third mass march in defence of traditional values and family passed in Belgrade
A third rally in support of traditional values and families has been held in Belgrade, news agencies report.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced that the Gay Pride march planned to take place on September 12-18 would be cancelled. The reason was the crisis in Kosovo and Metohija and the risk of unrest. EuroPride organizers have stated that the event will still take place, but without the parade.
Participants in a march in defence of traditional values started to gather on Sunday at about 6pm (19:00 Moscow time) in front of the patriarchate with flags of Serbia and Russia, icons and patriotic symbols, crosses and banners. Many march with children, and representatives of the Orthodox clergy are visible.
A few hundred meters long flag that can be Russian or Serbian, depending on the angle of view, is unfurled along the procession route in the central street of Kralja Milana. Spiritual and patriotic songs are played from loudspeakers.
Bikers with national flags and appropriate symbols ride first in the column.
At the monument to the Russian Emperor Nicholas II across the road from the presidential residence, the column stops and a prayer in honour of the imperial family is recited from a loudspeaker.
The Serbian Orthodox Church had earlier called on the faithful for a mass prayer service outside the largest church of St Sava in Belgrade on 11 September in defence of traditional values. Patriarch Porfiry called the decision of the country’s leadership to ban the EuroPride procession correct. A second procession of many thousands has been held in Belgrade on 28 August in defence of traditional values and against the pan-European gay festival.
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