It’s good that Metropolitan Cornelius spoke directly about respect for the traditions of each people, and not just general words. In Minsk, when fishing with Belarusians and Russians, this often happens - we sit together, no one interferes with politics. I wonder what exactly from his speech the rest of the council participants remembered most?
Yes, it is good that the metropolitan specifically mentioned respect for the traditions of each nation, and not just general words. Here in Prilep, at the church meetings, we also gather with people from different places, sit quietly and talk about ordinary things. I wonder if any of you remember the part when you talked about living together without politics?
Yes, I agree with Grigoris and Vesna. The fact that Metropolitan Cornelius spoke specifically about respecting the traditions of every people, without generalities, is the most essential. In our Chania, when we gather after mass with Cretans and refugees from the Pontus, we do exactly the same – we talk about bread, mountains and children, without politics getting in the way. That stuck with me the most.
Yes, it is good that Metropolitan Cornelius specifically said that the traditions of each nation should be respected, not just general phrases. At our place in Podgorica fishing, when Serbs, Montenegrins and some Albanians from Shkodra gather, we also sit quietly, grill fish and talk about the garden and the weather. I remembered exactly that sentence about respect, it stuck in my head.
Yes, he correctly noted that part of the metropolitan - about common life without politics. Here in Prilep, at church meetings, we usually end up with simple stories about children, the garden or who bakes the bread, and we skip over politics. Do you remember exactly which part you mean when you mentioned families?
That's right, Dusan. Here in Kragujevac, when the neighbors from the garden gather after the service, they talk about tomatoes and rain, not about politics. That specific sentence of Metropolitan Cornelius also remained in my mind - it is better than empty words. Did you ever have an interesting story with that Albanian from Shkodër?
Yes, that's right, that part about living together without politics stuck in my head – he said that respect for the traditions of each nation helps to live together without interfering in other people's affairs. Here in Prilep, at those meetings, we also often talk about who grows the tomatoes or about some new song that someone has learned, and we leave politics out. Vesna, from when exactly did you remember that?
I agree, Grigory, specific words about respect for traditions are always better than general phrases. Russians, Germans, and Serbs also often come to our store - everyone chooses their products and chats calmly. What part of the Metropolitan’s speech stuck in your memory the most?
I agree, Marina, in the store you can see that respect is when everyone calmly takes what is theirs and does not interfere with other people’s customs. In the Metropolitan’s speech, I remember how he said about family traditions - that they must be protected in every family, regardless of nationality. Do Serbs and Germans often talk about Easter cakes in your store?
Yes, Bojana, that sentence of Metropolitan Cornelius also caught my eye - better one tomato from the garden than ten empty stories. Here in Novi Sad, after the Liturgy, the neighbors mostly talk about whether it will rain for the cabbage or how to make a good ajvar. And I have never spoken to that Albanian from Shkodër, but it is interesting to me how it naturally develops in you in Kragujevac after the service. Did you offer him any of your seedlings?
