Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
Avgust 11, 2005

HOLY SYNOD OF GREEK CHURCH PROTESTS

HOLY SYNOD OF GREEK CHURCH PROTESTS

Immediately upon receiving official notification regarding the imprisonment of His Beatitude Archbishop Jovan of Ochrid and Metropolitan of Skoplje, as an introduction to further efforts for his immediate release and the implementation of democratic principles in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Holy Synod of the Greek Church reacted sharply yesterday and issued the following official communique:

HOLY SYNOD PROTESTS ENERGETICALLY AGAINST IMPRISONMENT OF ARCHBISHOP JOVAN OF OCHRID AND METROPOLITAN OF SKOPLJE

The Holy Synod of the Hellenic Church received official notification today regarding the new imprisonment of His Beatitude Archbishop Jovan of Ochrid and Metropolitan of Skoplje, and expresses its energetic protest against this decision of the Government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which represents a threat to the democratic rights of every free citizen.

This unacceptable treatment of the canonical Archbishop Kyr Jovan is a clear violation of human rights and inexcusable deprivation of a member of the church of his right to freely carry out his duties. Among other things, this further complicates the conformity of the Skoplje state to the demands of its European future.

We pray and we desire that the aforementioned Archpriest be immediately released, and that canonical church order be completely established in our neighboring country.

Source: http://www.ecclesia.gr

[Serbian Translation Services]