Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
March 28, 2005

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF SERBIAN ORTHODOX RELIGIOUS SITES
COMMUNIQUE OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH DELEGATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF SERBIAN ORTHODOX RELIGIOUS SITES

The following text of the Memorandum of Understanding on agreed general principles for the reconstruction of Serbian Orthodox religious sites was signed on March 24, 2005 by His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle on behalf of the whole Serbian Orthodox Church.

Consistent with the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo (“PISG”) and the Serbian Orthodox Church in June 2004 regarding the performance of urgent intervention measures on the churches and other Serbian Orthodox religious sites and buildings in Kosovo damaged in March 2004, the PISG and the Serbian Orthodox Church now agree on the following in order to re-commence the reconstruction process:

1. A five-member Commission will be constituted. An international expert to be nominated by the Council of Europe or European Commission or any other international agency will head the Commission. The other four members will be a representative of the Serbian Orthodox Church, a representative of the IPM (Institute for the Protection of Monuments) Belgrade, a representative of the IPM Kosovo, and a representative of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, PISG.

2. UNMIK shall facilitate the Commission’s work by coordinating security issues and liaising between the parties as and when required. UNMIK will arrange technical assistance, whenever required, through an appropriate agency.

3. This Commission will implement the recommendations of the Council of Europe (CoE) and UNESCO for intervention, restoration and reconstruction of the churches, monasteries and other religious sites damaged in March 2004. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and/or Serbian Orthodox Church authorities may suggest their changes to the CoE and UNESCO recommendations, which will be reviewed by the Commission. The Commission should give the highest regard to the opinion of the Serbian Orthodox Church authorities in prioritizing the works to be undertaken with the money to be provided by the PISG and any other donor.

4. The Commission will prepare tender papers in cooperation with local experts and other relevant partners.

5. The Commission will issue global tenders to attract the companies, which have experience in construction and restoration of Orthodox churches and monuments. Such qualifications and experience will constitute an essential condition for a company to win a tender.

6. The Commission will finalize the selection of appropriate companies following the procurement rules of the PISG.

7. Once the Commission makes its selection of a company to work on a site, the decision of the Commission will be sent to the Serbian Orthodox Church authorities, who may request the Commission to reconsider its decision on certain grounds. The Commission may consider the views of the Serbian Orthodox Church authorities if they are in accordance with the standard procurement procedures. However, the final decision rests with the Commission. If such a decision is not accepted by the Serbian Orthodox Church authorities, the funding of the site in question will not be done using PISG funds.

8. Once the Commission makes the decision, which is confirmed by the representatives of Serbian Orthodox Church, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports/PISG will ensure that the funds are committed and released to ensure the smooth performance of construction or reconstruction works.

9. The PISG will ensure that the 4.2 million Euro, already committed for the construction or reconstruction of churches damaged in March 2004, is used for this purpose, in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding. If any additional funds are allocated by the PISG for the Serbian Orthodox religious sites damaged in March 2004 they may also be expended under the procedures set out in this Memorandum of Understanding.

10. The Commission will also supervise the works. The Commission will seek, in the supervision of these works, as deemed necessary, the expertise of international experts or experts from Belgrade and Kosovo who have experience in the restoration, reconstruction or construction of Orthodox churches and monuments. In dealing with Protected Monuments, the Commission will follow the existing rules and procedures in supervision of works on such monuments. To monitor other sites, the Commission is responsible for supervising works.

11. Contacts with the media by all members of the Commission regarding reconstruction must be channeled through the head of the Commission.

12. Through the provision of PISG funds for the reconstruction or construction of Serbian Orthodox churches and other religious sites in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding, the ownership, identity and original function (as objects of worship) of these sites will not be altered in any way.

13. In the event of any inconsistency between the Serbian and English versions of this Memorandum of Understanding, the English version will prevail.

COMMUNIQUE
OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH DELEGATION
IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

On March 27, 2005, the second Sunday of Great Lent dedicated to St. Gregory of Palama, the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation to the United States of America, His Grace Bishop Grigorije of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, served Holy Liturgy in the church of St. Sava in New York, while His Grace Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan served in the church of the Ascension of Our Lord in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After Liturgy, which was also attended by HRH Princess Jelisaveta Karadjordjevic, Bishop Grigorije expressed his pleasure to visit with the faithful in New York and asked for their prayers for the success of the SPC delegation’s mission. St. Sava Church in New York City is considered to be the fourth most important church in the city and is under the direct care of the Institute for the Protection of Monuments in New York. The church was built in 1859 and converted by the Serbs for their own use in 1950. It is the largest Serbian Orthodox church in the Diaspora.

Services were followed by a banquet for the guests during which Professor Bogoljub Sijakovic explained to those present the goals of the delegation of the Holy Synod of Bishops. His fundamental message was that, historically, it has sometimes proved necessary to humble oneself for the good of the people. Professor Sijakovic provided a concise summary of the situation of the Serbian people in Croatia, Republika Srpska, Montenegro, and Kosovo and Metohija, underscoring that the delegation would seek assistance for the return of the displaced, the restitution of property, and respect for human, civil and religious rights.

Afterwards the guests answered the numerous questions of the faithful in attendance. The concise and rational explanations of Bishop Grigorije drew much attention and approval as he explained the desire to establish permanent contact with decision makers, and the necessity for great wisdom and appreciation of the seriousness of the present position of the Serbian people, together with the need to demonstrate to USA officials that their collocutors are normal and serious people capable of viewing the situation realistically. “The most important thing,” emphasized Bishop Grigorije, “is to ensure the survival of our people in Kosovo and Metohija because insisting on respect for property rights and other human rights then makes sense.” Responding to expressions of concern following attempts to redefine Serbian heritage as Kosovan, Byzantine, Balkan, etc. the Bishop said: “As long as our monks and nuns remain in Decani, the Pec Patriarchate and Gracanica, there can be no question whether these monasteries and convents are a part of the Serbian cultural legacy. That is why it is so critically important that we remain there.” Those present expressed strong support for the plans of the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation as presented.

The delegation is scheduled to hold its first official meeting tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. when it is to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. During the course of the day the delegation will also be received by Dr. William Wendley of the World Conference on Religions for Peace and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the president and founder of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation. They may also be visiting the St. Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York.

Scheduled events for March 28

Today at approximately 11:00 a.m. EST members of the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation are scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in the UN building on the East River. After the meeting the SPC delegation will provide a separate statement for the press.

[Serbian Translation Services]