KFOR takes part in pilgrimage
Story and photos by U.S. Army Capt. Randy Ready 4th Public Affairs Detachment
osovo Force soldiers took part in a pilgrimage to the Church of the Black Madonna in Letnica to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Aug. 15. The ceremony commemorates the death of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her assumption into heaven. People have been making the pilgrimage to the Church of the Black Madonna for more than 400 years, despite various political and religious turmoil that has occurred throughout the Balkan’s history. U.S. Army Chaplain (Maj.) Timothy Meier, S.J., the Multinational Battle Group-East Chaplain and a member of the California National Guard, believes it is the church’s openness to those of all faiths that has helped it survive all these years.
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“The parish has ?ourished in part, I think, because they have a centuries old tradition of welcoming people of any faith to come pray there,” said Meier. That tradition of openness continued as the church welcomed more than 200 KFOR soldiers, representing several countries and faith ??????????????????????e?????????Q???-=H????????d???????????????????????????????????????????-???????????????????
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