Canonical decision

For disobedience toward the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church (which by its decision of 13 February 2010 temporarily suspended Bishop Artemije and appointed Bishop Atanasije administrator of the Diocese of Raška-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija with all the rights of the diocesan bishop), for failure to accept the canonically appointed Bishop and refusal to respond to his archpastoral oral and written invitation for no less than a full forty days, and for preventing the faithful from the town of Prizren from coming to their cathedral in Prizren (in which mention is made of His Beatitude the Patriarch and the Bishop Administrator) and spreading of intrigue, lies and slander among the faithful, and for "conspiracy and clannishness", as well as for violations of canonical and monastic law and order (canons 4, 8 and 18 of the Council of Chalcedon; canon 34 of the Council of Trullo, canon 5 of the Council of Antioch, canon 21 of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, canons 4 and 13 of the First-Second Council) in general, the following are subject to canonical epitemia*:

1. hieromonk Benedict, administrator of Holy Archangels Monastery near Prizren, by prohibition of religious service and communion for 40 days (until the end of April 2010, i.e. the end of the spring convocation of the Assembly of Bishops);

2. the brotherhood of the same Holy Archangels Monastery near Prizren, monks-clerics and novices: by prohibition of service in the same monastery of the Holy Liturgy and Communion for 40 days (until the end of April 2010, i.e. the end of the spring convocation of the Assembly of Bishops).

No other member of the clergy is permitted to serve Holy Liturgy in this monastery while the canonical epitemia is in effect.

It is understood that if the above-mentioned monks show sincere repentance, the Bishop, in accordance with canon 102 of the Council of Trullo, may reduce or annul the issued epitemia.

Bishop Administrator of the Diocese of Raška-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija + Bishop Atanasije (by his own hand)

* penances

Source: Diocese of Raska-Prizren