BISHOP GRIGORIJE: STUDENTS ARE THE AVANT-GARDE OF EUROPE – MUNICH SENDS THEM OFF WITH "TAMO DALEKO"

Bishop Grigorije, who welcomed the students in Munich during their bicycle journey from Serbia to Strasbourg, addressed them in the Serbian Orthodox Church, calling them "modern-day knights and heroes of our time who remind us that virtue still exists and goodness has not fallen silent forever."

PHOTO: N1

In his message "to all those who need to hear it," he warned that those who strike at students "are not only striking at the best of our people, but at Christ Himself, who always identified with the small, the wronged, and the oppressed."

“Today, through you and with you, beauty, kindness, and intelligence have crossed our threshold,” he said. “Your arrival has turned this city and this home into a place of unity, sacrifice, nobility, and perseverance. Standing here in front of you, I confess I feel a rare sense of awe, because your struggle obliges and inspires each of us to draw out the best from within ourselves—what we had long forgotten or suppressed—to become better and more noble people.”

He told the students they are like a mirror: “Wherever you pass, our people see themselves in you—what we should have done long ago but couldn't.”

“In that reflection, we see our weaknesses, our compromises, our stumbles and downfalls. But we also glimpse something vital: a future that already lives in you—in your actions, in your enlightened faces, and in your readiness to sacrifice for the common good and justice. You are the avant-garde of Europe,” said the bishop.

He urged them never to forget that the Church's doors are always open to them.

“You are our children, and we will always defend you and your ideals and goals. To those who need to hear this: whoever strikes at you, strikes at Christ Himself,” he repeated.

He also reminded those gathered that the Serbian Orthodox Church was celebrating Lazarus Saturday that day, the day Christ wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus.

“With that, the Son of God showed us that tears are not weakness but a sign of humanity and our ability to feel another’s pain,” he said. “The tears in the hearts of our people had long turned to stone—but you have awakened them, stirred our hearts, and revived our courage and compassion.”

He thanked the students for helping people feel pride in belonging to their nation once again.

“Remain authentic and true to yourselves, and never trade that for the fleeting riches of this world. Our blessings and prayers will be with you wherever you are. May the good Lord protect you, may people of goodwill defend you, and may the malice and envy of others never touch you. Amen,” he concluded.

Bishop Grigorije added that the students from Serbia are, "simply put, not only the avant-garde of Serbia but of all Europe.”

After the address, the students were served dinner and provided with physiotherapists. They spent the night at the Serbian Orthodox Church in Munich.

The next day, they continued their journey to Strasbourg. Before they departed, citizens and Bishop Grigorije saw them off in front of the church—with everyone joining together to sing the iconic song "Tamo daleko".