A “litany for the salvation of Serbia” with hymns and incense was carried out by thousands of demonstrators in Belgrade on Sunday, who are committed to traditional values ​​and against Europride and the promotion of LGBT rights.

A day after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the cancellation of Europride, the main streets of the country’s capital were filled with people shouting slogans, holding icons and crosses, some even holding pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Orthodox rally against EuroPride 2022 in #Belgrade, #Serbia

For Serbs, the definition of a „pride parade” means preserving family, religion, identity, moral and traditional values. ☦🤍🇷🇸 pic.twitter.com/VneRbjX5pe

— Богиња пролећа 🇷🇸 (@boginjaproleca) August 28, 2022

This is the second large gathering of groups and organisations against the holding of Europride in Belgrade. Two weeks ago, on August 14, several thousand people gathered in the capital of Serbia, supported by some opposition parties.

According to the Serbian website Danas, during the demonstration citizens signed a petition to ban EuroPride in front of the Church of Saint Sava.

Bishop Nicanor said they are interested in preserving the history, churches, and traditions of Serbia and welcomed the decision of the state authorities to ban Europride.

#NeverForget klero-nationalist are always together even if they fight against each other. Some think it’s paradox to have #PutinWarCriminal and Nazi Friend von IIWW, #Četnik Draža in the same crowd. But that is exactly what it is klero-national-fascisam. #Serbia #EuroPride2022 pic.twitter.com/V7JOnfgAQo

— chaspa (@chaspachaspo) August 29, 2022

EuroPride was to be held in Belgrade from 12 to 18 September. It is a large pan-European event, which takes place every year in a different European city. It was first organised in 1992 in London. However, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the cancellation of the event due to the “difficult crisis” in Kosovo.

The Serbian president said he was not happy with the decision, but that Serbia should focus on other issues.

The organisers, on their part, insist that the parade will take place as normal despite the “illegal ban”.

#Serbia Protesters march in Belgrade against planned gay Pride event https://t.co/sRzznUmBqO 28/08/2022 pic.twitter.com/KgFsGEf6aw

— NiCoLeEliSei (@NiCoLeEliSei1) August 29, 2022