All three Bosnian Presidency members have congratulated the Easter, on Saturday, to Orthodox Christians in Bosnia and across the world.

In his message to the Metropolitan Bishop Hrizostom, the Bosniak member and Presidency Chairman Sefik Dzaferovic said he wished the bishop and all the faithful would spend the holiday in good health, happiness and with their family.

“Easter is a holiday that celebrates the victory of life over death and gives hope for a better tomorrow. That is why today, in these difficult time, when everyone in Bosnia and the world are fighting the pandemic, it bears a strong and special meaning. In these extraordinary circumstances, holidays allow the faithful to gather new spiritual strength with which to overcome the challenges and strengthen the love and understanding towards their loved ones and neighbours, for the benefit of all,” Dzaferovic said.

The Croat Presidency member Zeljko Komsic said the holiday should serve as an incentive to overcome the present difficulties.

“Your Eminence, I congratulate you and all the Orthodox Christians in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the diaspora on the holiday of Easter. This holiday, symbolizing rebirth and hope, should be an incentive to all to overcome the challenges we face today. Tolerance and concern for others will overcome all the obstacles ahead. May you spend the holidays in peace and good health, with the hope that you will receive and celebrate the next holiday in the spirit of your tradition, with your relatives and friends. Christ is risen,” Komsic wrote in his message.

Serb Presidency member Milorad Dodik congratulated His Holiness, the Patriarch Irinej, the bishops and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and all the faithful of the Orthodox faith, the greatest Christian holiday of Easter, wishing them to strengthen their faith in these difficult times of temptation and challenge.

“In the face of challenges of today, and especially those concerning the coronavirus – the monstrosity threatening everyone across the world, we need to renew and strengthen our faith and as well as love, humanity and solidarity in celebrating the joyful day of Christ's resurrection,” Dodik said among other things in his message.