Statements

Communique on visit of the delegation of the Holy Synod of the SOC to Berlin and Paris

A four-member delegation of Serbian Orthodox Church, headed by His Grace Vicar Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan, were by the decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops, on an official visit to Berlin and Paris in the period from March 15 to 19 2010. The serious concern of the Serbian Orthodox Church was conveyed to the high officials of these countries on the occasion of the announcement of a quicker process of reducing the number of KFOR soldiers in Kosovo and Metohia. During the talks the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church was particularly stressed that was not acceptable that the security of the Serbian Orthodox shrines, which currently the KFOR provides , entrust to the Kosovo police. The delegation informed international officials with all possible negative consequences of the eventual transfer of the security to the KPS, while insisting that it was a very hasty decision  with possible disastrous consequences for the Serbian Church and the Serbian people in this area.

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*:

Statement on KFOR’s intent to transfer protection of Serbian holy shrines and monuments to the Kosovo Police

The Diocese of Raška-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija expresses its serious concern due to KFOR's intent to transfer protection of the memorial at Gazimestan to the jurisdiction of the Kosovo Police. Earlier this month (March 2) during a meeting between Bishop Atanasije and Bishop's Deputy Teodosije with the KFOR commander, German General Bentler, in Gračanica Monastery, it was clearly said that it is unacceptable for this Diocese and the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija that holy shrines and buildings protected by KFOR be transferred to the protection of the Kosovo Police. Especially worrisome is that this intention is again coming up on the anniversary of the March Pogrom against the Serbs and the Serbian Church six years ago. We emphasize that the KPS does not inspire confidence in either the Church or the Serbian community in this southern province of Serbia. The transfer of the protection of the memorial in Gazimestan is not good because it can open the question of continued protection for other Serbian church and national Holy Shrines and Cultural Monuments.

Communique of Diocese of Dalmatia regarding announcement on foundation of so-called "HOC"

News that yesterday in Zadar (12.03.2010) was an announcement on the establishment of the so-called "Croatian Orthodox Church" caused anxiety for the clergy and the Orthodox Serbs in Croatia. It is known that the HOC was formed in 1942 in the time of the fascist and Ustashe regime of Ante Pavelic in the NDH (Independent State of Croatia). Then the Pavelic's regime committed genocide against the Serbian, Jewish and Roma people in the NDH, and the goal of the phantom HOC was to destroy every trace of existence of the Orthodoxy and the Orthodox Serbs in this region.

The Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people have been living for centuries in the region of Dalmatia, as it is evident and confirmed the best by its parish churches and monasteries, which were built between XIII to XV century and represent a significant cultural heritage, which as such, is under the protection of the competent institutions of the Croatian state.

Communique of Diocese of Raska-Prizren

The Orthodox Diocese of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija has proven information that monk of Crna Reka Antonije Davidovic, for whom the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church repeatedly asked to be punished for his church-destroying and non monk behavior, and who is now finally placed under the authority of the church body, currently is located in the areas of Orahovac and Velika Hoca, where he talk to people against Patriarch and the Church and brings doubt with numerous delusional stories, supposedly protecting Bishop Artemije. Davidovic in this way with these methods also seek a support for himself, because he is under the church procedure.

Reply to slanders of pseudo-defenders

THEY DEFEND BISHOP FROM THE CHURCH AND PATRIARCH

The church-destroying action of the group of people who has initially signed as a spiritual children of Bishop Artemije, and then their texts are now signed as "Information Service of the Diocese of Raska-Prizren during the detention of Bishop Artemije." has lasted for days. Although it has always been and will be people who have sectarian mentality, in this case is indicative that the name of one of the Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church is still illegally used and as that openly attack on spiritual and moral integrity of the Serbian Patriarch and the Holy Synod of Bishops, whose photos are published entitled "Outlaws" or "Synod of shame". Unfortunately, these zealots of hatred, who consider themselves as "defenders of Bishop Artemije and his works", not only that they do not help him but confirm the blackest doubts that creating a personality cult in the Diocese of Raska-Prizren among a small number of monks and believers, for years it was made a real potential for the destruction of the reputation of the Serbian Orthodox Church and so a schism was prepared, and in a way how it is done by various schismatic and pseudo-Orthodox groups which exist around the world.