Serbian Orthodox Church

His Grace Joanikije: We request religious freedom and rule of law and order in the state

His Grace Joanikije, Bishop of Budimlye and Niksic, after having been released of detention together with his eight priests of the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Basil of Ostrog in Nikšić, blessed the faithful who were protesting against their detention in front of the State Prosecutor’s Office in Niksic.

“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for your love and support. Your support is a token of love towards the Church and, consequently, normal continuation of our struggle for defending our shrines”, said His Grace being warmly greeted by the congregation of the faithful who were shouting: “We won’t give you up, Your Grace!”, “Long live you, Your Grace!” and “We won’t give up our shrines!”

His Grace Joanikije, Bishop of Budimlye and Niksic, and priests released

16^th of May 2020 - His Grace Joanikije, Bishop of Budimlye and Niksic, and eight priests of the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Basil of Ostrog in Nikšić have been realized around midnight after 72 hours spent in detention.

It is expected that His Grace and the priests, after their release from detention, will address the citizens who have been there since yesterday morning protesting against their arrest.

It should be reminded that after the prayer procession that had been held in Nikšić on May 12, on the feast-day of St. Basil of Ostrog, a 72-hour detention was ordered for Bishop Jonikije, Fr. Slobodan Jokic, Fr. Danilo Zirojevic, Fr. Zeljko Rojevic, Fr. Ostoja Knezevic, Fr. Mirko Vukotic, Fr. Vasilije Brboric, Fr. Dragan Krusic and Fr. Nikola Marojevic.

J o a n i k i j e

Our brother Joanikije thrown into a dungeon
Made of concrete,
so cramped that it’s impossible to straighten up.
Still, he has stood straight
in front of those who have imprisoned him,
those who have dug their own tomb.

The cross procession of St Basil of Ostrog
Has made them disturbed,
The cross procession - for St Basil veneration
And the freedom for Montenegro annunciation.
Behold, Joanikije and his people in the cross procession
Walking meekly for
unearthly liberation.

The whole Montenegro is too small
To be Joanikije’s dungeon, so little,
Since he’s been counted into God’s people;
And those not counted are nameless,
Pilatus - they all could be called
Although they haven’t hands of their guilt washed.

May the Lord God and St Basil
Help brother Joanikije
To be liberated and back to his people.
We Serbs won’t stop
calling upon unbaptized
to return the peace and freedom
to Montenegro
just as in the time when it was blessed
with the cross sign of the ancestors.

Rite of supplications for the suffering Serbian Church in Montenegro

Upon the blessing of His Holiness Irinej, Serbian Patriarch, a rite of supplications to the Holy Mother of God for the support to bishops, clergy and faithful people of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro was served in the crypt of the Saint Sava Cathedral, Belgrade, on the 14^th of May 2020.

The prayer of supplication (moleben) to the Most Holy Mother of God was served by His Grace Bishop Stefan of Remesiana, Vicar Bishop of the Serbian Patriarch, with the concelebration of protopresbyter-staurophor Petar Lukic and the brotherhood of the church of Saint Sava itself..

Episcopal Council Serbian Orthodox Church In North, Central And South America

St. Sava Monastery, Libertyville, Illinois, May 14, 2020

COMMUNIQUE

The Episcopal Council of the Serbian Orthodox Church in North, Central and South America expresses concern over the heightened situation in Montenegro. The joint struggle against the coronavirus and rejection of all things, which included also the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, has shown that peace and order can reign in this country. The recent celebration of the feast of St. Vasilije at the Ostrog Monastery, when the prayerful presence of the people was permitted, was a good example of cooperation between the state and the Church.

Annual Memorial Service for Prince Alexander Pavlov

On the Feast Day of St. Basil of Ostrog, March 12, 2020, at the request of Their Royal Highnesses Princess Barbara, Prince Dushan and Princess Valerie, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America, following the Divine Liturgy in the Episcopal Residence in New Rochelle, NY, celebrated the fourth annual Memorial Service for HRH Prince (Knez) Alexander Pavlov Karadjordjevic.