A Homily at the Memorial for Dušan Bataković at Dečani

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we pray for the repose of the soul of our dear historian Dušan Bataković, and it is no coincidence that we are gathered here, in Visoki Dečani — a holy place he loved, to which he constantly returned, and to which he bore witness before the world through his scholarly work.

For Dušan, Dečani were not merely an object of historical research. They were a living testimony of a people, of its faith, its memory, and its hope. He knew that history is not written with archival documents alone, but also with prayer, with the Liturgy, and with the unbroken life of the Church. This is precisely why he labored so that the truth about Kosovo and Metohija, about our holy places and our spiritual heritage, might be set forth with scholarly rigor and personal integrity.

But today we are gathered not only to speak of his works. Today we are here as the Church, to pray for a man. Before Christ, all titles, all honors, and all human merits fall away. Only the person remains, who stands before the Face of God and is in need of our love and our prayer.

May the Lord grant rest to the soul of His servant Dušan in the dwellings of the righteous, where there is no sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting. And may He grant us that his example of love for the truth, for his people, and for these holy places remain a living inspiration.

Blessed repose and eternal memory to the servant of God, Dušan.

Memory eternal!

Bishop Maxim (Vasiljević)
Monastery Visoki Dečani
June 27, 2026