Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch and Metropolitan of Zagreb Porfirije on Sunday called on SPC believers and "all people of good will (to) light a candle, like every year, for the innocent victims of Vukovar."

These days we remember all those killed in Vukovar, he said during a service at the Zagreb Orthodox Cathedral. Let’s remember the innocent victims of Vukovar, he added.

Porfirije underlined that human life was sacred, a gift from God, according to a press release from the Serb National Council.

“Let’s send our prayers also to all those who went missing, whose graves are still not known,” he said.

He called on believers to be authentic Christians and people of peace, saying that Vukovar’s population has been halved and that “it was once a place of diversity and co-existence.”

The patriarch called for taking account of those who are different. “Co-existence with them in freedom and love can only affirm us, because by giving love to them we enrich ourselves and multiply love to everyone around us. Let’s always be open to those who are different.”

By praying for all the victims of Vukovar, we pray for peace between all the people in the world, “we pray for understanding, respect,” he said.

He said Christians had the obligation to promote freedom and peace, regardless of misunderstandings and opposition “from those who promote some other values.”