Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
April 1, 2005

SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH DELEGATION VISITS SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO DIPLOMATIC MISSION TO THE UN

Yesterday, March 31, 2005, the official delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church presently visiting the United States of America stopped at the Serbia and Montenegro Diplomatic Mission to the United Nations. The delegation was received by Serbia and Montenegro Ambassador to the UN Nebojsa Kaludjerovic and his associates, Dragana Ivanovic and Slobodan Nenadovic.

Delegation head Bishop Grigorije informed Ambassador Kaludjerovic regarding their activities to date in New York and their plans in the near future. He explained that the primary goal of the delegation was to demonstrate readiness for cooperation and constructive dialogue on all topics that can contribute to the peaceful life of citizens regardless of their ethnicity or religious affiliation.

Ambassador Kaludjerovic emphasized the great importance of this visit and praised the readiness of the Serbian Orthodox Church to cooperate openly with the international community. He emphasized that "this approach will contribute to the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people appearing in a more positive light in the world, which will assist the work of the diplomatic corps of Serbia and Montenegro in the USA".

The Ambassador expressed his support for the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding, emphasizing that this is the only realistic way of restoring our destroyed and heavily damaged holy sites in Kosovo and Metohija. "It is especially important that the Memorandum reaffirms that the identity, ownership and intended use of Serbian Orthodox places of worship will in no way be brought into question," said Ambassador Kaludjerovic. He added that the delegation has the full support of Serbia and Montenegro diplomatic representatives in the USA in the further course of its mission.

Mrs. Dragana Ivanovic, who was also present during the meeting of the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, conveyed her impression that the delegation left a very strong impression during its meeting with the Secretary-General, who extended the reception beyond the scheduled time.

On behalf of the entire delegation, Bishop Grigorije thanked Ambassador Kaludjerovic and his team for their support and assistance, and wished them success in their further efforts as part of the Serbia and Montenegro Mission to the UN.

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS RECEIVES
SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH DELEGATION

Yesterday afternoon the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation visiting the USA was received by Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, and Vicar Bishop Demetrios.

The members of the delegation informed the Greek Archbishop regarding their views and intents, as well as regarding further plans and meets they are to continue in Washington, emphasizing the firm commitment of the Serbian Orthodox Church to demonstrate its clear readiness for cooperation and openness. They stressed that isolationism and confrontation with the international community are harmful and cannot help the faithful of the Church to survive, especially in those areas where Serbs are directly dependent on international factors and where they are living as minorities with respect to other ethnic or religious communities.

"Readiness for dialogue and cooperation in all areas as permitted by the canons of the Orthodox Church are the only way overcoming the antagonisms of the past and establishing new relations that will enable all citizens, regardless of their origin and religious affiliation, to live and work in peace and mutual respect," underscored Bishop Grigorije.

Archbishop Demetrios expressed support for the views of the Serbian Orthodox Church delegation and informed them regarding his own contacts with USA officials. He placed special emphasis on a recent meeting with US President George Bush on the occasion of the anniversary of Greek independence. Commenting on the problem of Kosovo and Metohija, the Archbishop praised the decision of the Serbian Orthodox Church and emphasized the importance of cooperation and networking at the pan-Orthodox level as well as in maintaining relations with other Christian and non-Christian communities, government and non-governmental organizations.

Bishop Teodosije asked the eminent host to offer precious advice on the basis of the rich experience of the Greek Orthodox Church with churches and monasteries outside the mother country, especially in Muslim dominated countries. The Bishop mentioned the examples of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople (Istanbul), the Jerusalem Patriarchate in Israel, St. Katherine Monastery in The Sinai (Egypt), asking the host: "How can our monasteries survive if, one day, they definitely find themselves outside the constitutional, legal and judicial system of Serbia and Montenegro?"

Archbishop Demetrios replied that the Serbian Orthodox Church must secure internationally recognized status for its churches and monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija, emphasizing that great efforts should be invested so that the faithful and the clergy can remain in their centuries-old homes and next to their holy shrines, and defend the identity, existence and God-serving purpose of their churches and monasteries by their presence.

Archbishop Demetrios concluded the conversation by conveying his warm greetings to Patriarch Pavle and the other bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church, emphasizing that the Serbian Orthodox Church can always count on his full cooperation and his understanding.

He wished the members of the delegation much success and blessings from the Lord in their further activities in the USA.

BISHOP JOANIKIJE IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA

His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic is presently on an extended visit to Kosovo and Metohija.

Last night Bishop Joanikije discussed the security situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the possibility of returns from Serbs expelled from their centuries-old homes with the commander of Italian KFOR.

Today Bishop Joanikije visited Serb returnees in the villages of Brestovik and Siga, in the hinterlands of the Pec Patriarchate. The Prince Miroslav Association from Belgrade has undertaken responsibility for assisting the returnees to these two villages.

LECTURE ON THE HISTORY OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
IN THE FRENCH CULTURAL CENTER IN BELGRADE

On Friday, April 1, Protopresbyter Dr. Radomir Popovic, a professor at the Orthodox Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade, gave a lecture at the French Cultural Center in Belgrade on the theme “The History of the Serbian Orthodox Church through the Centuries”. On this occasion he acquainted the audience with the major events in the history of the Serbian Church. His presentation included presentations of photographs of monasteries, churches, frescoes, icons, bishops, patriarchs, and maps of the Serbian state through the centuries.

Protopresbyter Popovic highlighted several events, first and foremost, the christening of the Serbs, the Nemanjic period, St. Sava, and the proclamation of the independence of the Church and state. He also dedicated attention to the position of the Serbian Church in the time of enslavement under the Turks, emphasizing the Great Exodus of the Serbs under Patriarch Arsenije III Carnojevic in 1690, phanarocracy in the Serbian Church and rebellions. Protopresybter Popovic concluded with an overview of the First and Second Serbian Uprisings, the life of the great Serbian leader Karageorge and Prince Milos Obrenovic, Petar Petrovic Njegos, and events in the Serbian Church in the 20th century, emphasizing the figure of His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle and his contribution to the resolution of the schism in America.

After the lecture Protopresybter Popovic answered questions that showed that foreign citizens living in Belgrade are not uninformed regarding the history of the Serbian Church and state. Hence this effort on the part of Protopresbyter Popovic represents a giant missionary step and encouragement for further cooperation between the Serbian Orthodox Church and other foreign cultural centers in Belgrade.

[Serbian Translation Services]