With the traditional greeting, “Peace of God - Christ is born," Patriarch Irinej has congratulated the upcoming Christmas holiday.

In Serbia, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7.

The Patriarch's message was that "we should not allow anyone to divide us on any grounds."

Today, more than ever, Irinej wrote, we need peace in the world and goodwill among peoples.

“We are sending special greetings to our brothers and sisters in our Kosovo-Metohija, in our spiritual cradle. We pray to God to encourage them and make them firmer in their commitment to stay loyal to the vows of our holy ancestors,” reads the message published on Tuesday.

The patriarch also called on expellees and refugees to make an effort to return to their homes and save them for the generations to come.