BISHOP GRIGORIJE: Whoever strikes at students does not only strike at the best in the nation, but also at Christ himself! (VIDEO)

Bishop Grigorije, who welcomed in Munich the students traveling to Strasbourg by bicycle, told them in his address at the Orthodox church in that city that they are “modern knights and heroes of our time, who remind us that virtue still exists and that goodness has not been silenced forever.”

He stated “to all who need to hear it” that whoever strikes at students “does not only strike at the best in our nation, but strikes at Christ himself, who always identified himself with those we call the little ones, towards whom injustice and evil have been done, and to you I say, welcome our hopes and may we who you are returning life and humanity to be better, constantly reminding us what honor, nobility, and dignity mean.”

“Today, beauty, goodness, and intelligence have stepped across our threshold with you and through you. Your arrival has made this city and this home a place of unity, self-sacrifice, nobility, and perseverance. Standing here before you, I confess that I feel a nervousness as rarely before in my life, because your feat and struggle are binding and encourage each of us to draw from our being the best, what we have long forgotten or suppressed, and that is above all to be better and more noble people,” said Bishop Grigorije.

He told the students that they are like mirrors, “because wherever you go, our people, your people, see themselves in you, and in that mirror they see what they have long had to but could not do for themselves and for us.”

"Ko udari na našu decu, udario je u najbolje u našem narodu" 👈 poručio je vladika Grigorije u obraćanju studentima u Minhenu. #studentibiciklimadostrazbura #vladikagrigorije pic.twitter.com/FDVgvCvUDB
— Radars_rs (@RadarsRs) April 11, 2025

“In that reflection, we see our weaknesses, compromises, our stumblings and falls. However, in that mirror, fortunately, we glimpse something very important: the future that is already here in you, in your deeds, in your beautiful and spiritual faces, in your willingness to sacrifice yourselves for the common good and justice, to sacrifice yourselves for all of us. You are modern knights and heroes of our time, who remind us that virtue still exists and that goodness has not been silenced forever,” said Bishop Grigorije.

He asked the students never to forget that their doors are always open to them.

“You are our children, and we will always, when needed, defend you and your ideals and goals. Let me say this to all who need to hear it: whoever strikes at you does not only strike at the best in our nation, but strikes at Christ himself, who always identified himself with those we call the little ones, towards whom injustice and evil have been done, and to you I say, welcome our hopes and may we who you are returning life and humanity to be better, constantly reminding us what honor, nobility, and dignity mean. That same nobility and humanity that you have shown throughout your struggle, you have managed to awaken in your people, who welcome you with joy and selfless hospitality on your journey,” he pointed out.

He also reminded that the Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful celebrate Lazarus Saturday today.

FIND OUT MORE:

“The day when Christ, among other things, wept at Lazarus’s tomb, sympathizing with the suffering of Lazarus’s family and friends. The Son of God showed us that tears are not a weakness, but a sign of humanity and our ability to feel the suffering of others. In the hearts of our people, as a result of general spiritual decline and lethargy, tears have long since turned to stone. You have managed to move them again within us, to awaken our hearts, to stir courage and nobility in us, and we thank you infinitely for that,” stated Bishop Grigorije.

He thanked the students for making them feel pride again in belonging to this nation.

“Remain authentic and true to yourselves, and never, for anything, for any fleeting treasures of this world, do not change that. Our blessing and prayer will be with you wherever you may be. May the good Lord protect you, may people of good will defend you, and may the malice, envy, and hatred of others never touch you. Amen,” Bishop Grigorije said in his address to the students.

The students thanked him, and afterwards, they were treated to dinner and provided with physiotherapists before going to sleep.

They continue their journey to Strasbourg today.