Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
June 24, 2005

COURT OF APPEALS IN BITOLJ UPHOLDS 18-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE FOR ARCHBISHOP JOVAN OF OCHRID

After lengthy delays on June 22, 2005 the Court of Appeals in Bitolj finally heard the case of His Beatitude Jovan, Archbishop of Ochrid and Metropolitan of Skoplje, who in August last year was sentenced by the court of first instance in Bitolj to a prison term of eighteen months.

On June 23, 2005 the president of the Court of Appeals, Mr. Kice Juzevski, published the decision of the Court of Appeals in this matter by a judicial council comprised of presiding judge Vasko Kuzevski, court rapporteur Vladimir Radevski and judge Nedzat Ajro.

Like many times in the past in the trials of bishops, clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Ochrid, the court in the Republic of Macedonia has turned out to be a circus, one of poor, extremely backward character. From this case, as well as so many others that were unjustly decided, it is apparent why the courts in the Republic of Macedonia are the most corrupt of institutions and why they have the poorest of reputations among citizens.

After all, one cannot expect a group of political poltrons, like the majority of judges in the courts of the Republic of Macedonia, to establish the basis of a competent judiciary which is the foundation of a successful state. Fifteen years after the collapse of Communism the Republic of Macedonia has not lifted up its head and remains, precisely due to its corrupt court system, the last bastion of Communism in Eastern Europe.

It is such a court that today in the 21st century tried the Orthodox faith of the Bishop of Ochrid and Metropolitan of Skoplje. His faith has been tried many times but he has attested to that faith even more times. It is such a court that, trying his faith, sentenced Archbishop Jovan to 18 months in prison because he did not wish to bow down before the people in power who imagine themselves to be gods.

The sentencing of the head of the local Orthodox Church for inciting national and religious hatred means a sentencing of his faith because he does not represent only himself but the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. If the Patriarch of Constantinople or the Patriarch of Russia or any other head of a local Church had found themselves before the aforementioned court council in Bitolj today, it is quite certain that this “court of honor” would have sentenced them, too.

The faith of all Orthodox Christians in the world would have been tried today, all those who consider the so-called Macedonian Orthodox Church to be apostatic and are not in unity with it. All the bishops of all Orthodox churches in the world who are not in community with the hierarchy of the apostatic organization in Republika Srpska were tried and sentenced today, not because they do not wish community but because of the heresy produced by the schismatics in the Republic of Macedonia, which is an obstacle to unity. But then the history of the Republic of Macedonia and its future were also tried today.

A people that defends its history by the sword and not by arguments is not worthy of a future. People who are not cognizant that they cannot build their future on false foundations resemble the wretch from the Gospel who builds his house on sand. A church that has formed an alliance with a regime so that they can conduct inquisitions together neither is nor will be a Church.

After all, if we look at the case of Archbishop Jovan with care, we will see that national, religious and even international hatred is not being incited by the Archbishop but in fact by the state institutions of the Republic of Macedonia. It is obvious to the whole world that for the officials of the Republic of Macedonia, all neighboring states are enemies. How can such states enter the European Union or NATO with their psychological complex for creating problems for everyone?

Nevertheless, in this sadness we are embraced by God’s blessing. We are sad but also we are happy that the Lord has granted us a worthy Archpastor to attest to our faith. He has gifted us a true lighthouse who has shone upon the throne of the Ochrid Archbishops as the 84th successor. The word “martyr” is not a literal translation of the Greek word “martis”. “Martis” is a witness, the one who attests to his faith when it is necessary by his own blood. This describes our Archpastor. Innocent as a lamb before those who shear him. He encourages us all by his inspired prayer and faith. The one who is being “led to slaughter” comforts and encourages us, telling us, “I did not pray to be freed of my prison sentence. I prayed to God that His will be done in such a way as to glorify Him. I urge you also when you pray for me and when you pray for yourselves to ask God that His will be done. That will be the best thing for me and for you.”

What else can we say, father and Bishop, except “Worthy!” Bear your cross with dignity for us who are weak and for those who know not what they do, that they may achieve resurrection and life eternal through your prayers.

Editors of the Information Service of the
Orthodox Archdiocese of Ochrid

PATRIARCH PAVLE IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA FOR ST VITUS DAY

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle will be visiting Kosovo and Metohija on the feast of St. Vitus (Vidovdan). His Holiness will be serving Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the monastery of Gracanica on this great holiday, and a requiem service for all who perished for their faith and homeland at Gazimestan.

SERBIAN PATRIARCH TO VISIT DIOCESE OF BIHAC AND PETROVAC

Upon the invitation of His Grace Bishop Hrizostom of Bihac and Petrovac on Sunday June 26, 2005 His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle will visit the Diocese of Bihac and Petrovac and consecrate the newly restored monastery of Glogovac. His Holiness will also attend the 15th Janje Assembly.

Glogovac Monastery has always been the spiritual center of Janje. After World War II the Communist regime forcibly interrupted the role and significance of the monastery. With the founding of the Diocese of Bihac and Petrovac, the spiritual and cultural event known as the Janje Assembly was restored. It is held every year in Glogovac Monastery on the Sunday of All Saints.

PATRIARCH PAVLE RECEIVES SERBS FROM MILWAUKEE

Today in the Belgrade Patriarchate’s church of St. Simeon the Myrrh-gusher His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle received a group of Serbs from Milwaukee headed by Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Dragan Veleusic. The group included approximately 150 parishioners of St. Sava Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA and the members of the Sumadija folklore group from the same city.

His Holiness welcomed the Serbs from Milwaukee to the land of their ancestors and to the home of our Church and our people. He expressed his pleasure that the group would have the opportunity to visit many holy shrines and learn about the rich and abundant heritage of our forebears. He also expressed his regret that they would not be able to see the most beautiful holy shrines, which are located in Kosovo and Metohija, where the situation is difficult, the people are suffering and a large number of churches and monasteries have been torched and destroyed. “Keep in mind,” said Patriarch Pavle, “that you are ambassadors of our people wherever you go. Our people will be judged according to your behavior and actions. You should be good neighbors and good citizens of the country in which you live and work.”

The wise and gentle words of the Serbian Patriarch left a strong impression all present. Speaking on behalf of all parishioners of St. Sava Church in Milwaukee, Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Dragan Veleusic thanked the Patriarch and presented him with 15,000 U.S. dollars for the second largest church bell of St. Sava Memorial Cathedral in Belgrade, which is valued at 80,000 dollars.

CONCERT OF SPIRITUAL MUSIC AT
“CHOIRS AMONG THE FRESCOES” FESTIVAL

On Sunday, June 26, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. in the Gallery of Frescoes of the Serbian National Museum in Belgrade a concert of spiritual music will be held as part of the “Choirs among the Frescoes” festival. The concert will be dedicated the opus of Vojislav Ilic, a great conductor, composer and enthusiast in the area of Serbian spiritual music.

The Orthodox Faculty Student Chamber Choir, the winner of last year’s festival and a member of the Serbian Choir Association, will be performing at the concert under the direction of Mr. Predrag Miodrag.

[Serbian Translation Services]