Dear Friends & Benefactors of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund,

I’m grateful to write with positive news from the DMRF at this time.

Thank you very much for your end of year generosity to the faithful in Kosovo and Metohija! At the end of December, the Decani Monastery Relief Fund sent $10,000 to bless the brethren living in hardship there. Your generosity made it possible!

On the Feast of our Lord’s Nativity in Serbia (January 7), there was abundant provision – pork roasts, extra food, firewood for families, soup kitchens, and monasteries. There were even funds left to cover various utility bills, another significant blessing!

This provision came at a time of reserved expectations due to the covid problems worldwide. Even so, God moved so many people to generosity for the DMRF. The fathers of the Decani Monastery were filled with joy, as were the people they serve. It was an unexpected blessing during a time of great uncertainty. The words “thank you” seem inadequate in response. Nevertheless, THANK YOU for your generous stewardship of God’s gifts!

Bishop Teodosije of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raska-Prizren sent a formal thank you TO all the Fund’s benefactors.  You’ll find it attached. His Grace Teodosije resides at Gracanica Monastery. He is responsible for all churches and monasteries throughout Kosovo, along with the seminary in Prizren, the soup kitchens, and the Serbian Orthodox cemeteries in the region.

Just a few days following the Nativity Feast, Kosovo’s region suffered unexpected flooding that affected 500 Serbian families in the area. Due to recent generosity and some added fundraising, the DMRF sent an additional $10,257.91 to help alleviate the effects of the crisis created by the flooding. Knowing that God had His people in mind and had provided extra funds, the Decani fathers were able to calm fears created by the disaster and began issuing needed help for recovery. The allotment of additional funds was a great mercy, indeed! Many are thanking God for the way He moved the hearts of benefactors even before the flooding occurred. The DMRF does not always have extra funds on hand for such emergencies, but in this case, we did. THANK GOD!

Again, the words thank you seem inadequate for our Fund’s benefactors. I would dare to say that in your time of need, God will remember your benevolence and not forget you, either.

On or about January 11, 2021

PRISTINA: Days of heavy rain and snow sparked flooding in parts of Kosovo and Albania on Monday as swollen rivers cut off road access to villages, damaged homes and inundated farmland.

On the outskirts of Kosovo’s capital Pristina, cars were nearly submerged by the muddy floodwaters in some neighborhoods, with rescuers using an inflatable dinghy to check in on residents in the surrounding apartment blocks.

The Kosovo Security Forces said rescue operations were being carried out in “several locations”.

The floods tore down two bridges in Kosovo’s south, caused a slab of road to collapse in a central village, and left around 14 families isolated in a hamlet in the north, according to reports.

“Our emergency teams are on the ground offering assistance with all available means, and we call on all citizens to avoid road movements during rains and floods,” said the head of emergency services in the eastern town of Gjilan, Sami Spahiu.

Days of rain and snow in neighboring Albania also submerged several thousand hectares of land in the northwest, cut off a dozen roads and damaged buildings, authorities said.

At least 36 families in and around coastal Lezha and Durres were evacuated and around 20 buildings were damaged by the floods, according to a defense ministry statement.

On January 21, Fr. Sava, Abbot of the Decani Monastery, sent a note of thanks to our benefactors:

Dear Fr. Nektarios,

May God bless you and all good people for your continual efforts to help our suffering people in Kosovo and Metohija. The most of the money you sent has already been allocated for the flood affected households. The remaining money will be delivered to other urgent cases and those in need. 

May the prayers of St. Stefan of Dečani be with you and all the DMRF donors. 

With love in Christ

Fr. Sava

Thank you again for ministering to the brethren in Kosovo/Metohija through the Decani Monastery Relief Fund. For so many, it’s a lifeline in times like these!

If you were unaware of the recent flooding and would like to send assistance now, here is how you can:

Visit the DMRF’s web page and use the PayPal button:  https://www.thedecanifund.org/

Or send a check or money order to:

Decani Monastery Relief Fund
C/O Very Reverend Nektarios Series
2618 West Bannock Street
Boise, Idaho 83702

Thank you so much and God bless your good heart!

Peace to you and to your soul!

Humbly in our Lord Jesus Christ,

+Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes
President, Decani Monastery Relief Fund
Who prays for you!