Serbian Faithful Pay Tribute To Victims Of Mass Shootings During Religious Procession, As Anger Mounts
Serbians participating in the Feast of the Ascension paused near the Belgrade school where a mass shooting shocked the nation. The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church dedicated the May 25 religious procession to the victims of two mass shootings that killed 17 people.

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Porfirije (center), the patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, leads a procession for the Feast of the Ascension on the streets of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on May 25. Porfirije paid tribute to victims of recent mass shootings, including at Vladislav Ribnikar Elementary School, where a teenage boy is suspected of killing eight students and a security guard on May 3.
One day later, eight people were killed and 14 wounded after a gunman in a moving car opened fire on passersby south of Belgrade. A 21-year-old suspect has been arrested.
One day later, eight people were killed and 14 wounded after a gunman in a moving car opened fire on passersby south of Belgrade. A 21-year-old suspect has been arrested.

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Near the site of the school shooting, Porfirije said: “We have all been affected. We all feel immense sadness and pain."
What began as an outpouring of grief following two back-to-back shootings that shocked Serbia has morphed into anti-government protests.
What began as an outpouring of grief following two back-to-back shootings that shocked Serbia has morphed into anti-government protests.

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Priests wearing ceremonial robes stood by as Porfirije held the service.

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Members of the Serbian military, along with Orthodox priests, escorted a coffin containing the remains of Serbian Orthodox Bishop Nikolai, who was canonized as St. Nikolai in 2003, as the procession traveled toward the Church of St. Sava.

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Soldiers stand guard near the coffin containing the saint's remains before it is brought inside the church.
The Serbian Orthodox Church said up to 100,000 people marched in the procession. In early May, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against gun violence and the government's response to back-to-back mass shootings.
The Serbian Orthodox Church said up to 100,000 people marched in the procession. In early May, tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against gun violence and the government's response to back-to-back mass shootings.

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Ceremonial guards carry the coffin at the procession.
Many Serbians have denounced what they say is a culture of violence in their country, sparking several anti-government protests.
Many Serbians have denounced what they say is a culture of violence in their country, sparking several anti-government protests.

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Believers touch a cross believed to have been used by Bishop Nikolai during the Feast of the Ascension.

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Serbian soldiers stand guard during the procession in Belgrade.
Belgrade is bracing for a tense weekend, with rival pro-government and anti-government protests expected.
Belgrade is bracing for a tense weekend, with rival pro-government and anti-government protests expected.