Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
March 27, 2005

DECISION FROM THE EXTRAORDINARY SESSION
OF THE HOLY SYNOD OF BISHOPS:
MEMORANDUM REMAINS VALID

At an extraordinary session held on March 27, 2005 in the Belgrade Patriarchate, the Holy Synod of Bishops in its expanded formation, together with the members of the Holy Synod’s Council for Kosovo and Metohija, chaired by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle, reached the following decision:

“Having considered once again the issue of the Memorandum of Understanding on agreed general principles for the restoration of Serbian Orthodox Church holy sites in Kosovo and Metohija, adopted by the Holy Synod on March 24, 2005 and signed on behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops by His Holiness Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Pavle; and having during this process expressed a detailed analysis of those facts that have in the meanwhile caused concern on the part of the Serbian Patriarch and other factors responsible for the restoration and protection of the Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija; as well as in order to preserve the integrity of Serbia, the Holy Synod of Bishop hereby concludes that the Memorandum of Understanding on agreed general principles for the restoration of Serbian Orthodox Church holy sites in Kosovo and Metohija, agreed upon with representatives of the International Community and signed by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle on behalf of the whole Serbian Orthodox Church, which includes the Diocese of Raska and Prizren, remains in effect.”

[Serbian Translation Services]