Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
September 14, 2005

SENTENCING OF ARCHBISHOP JOVAN ENDANGERS FYROM’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION
CHOIR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LUTHERAN CHURCH FROM STOCKHOLM IN GUEST PERFORMANCES IN BELGRADE AND NOVI SAD

SENTENCING OF ARCHBISHOP JOVAN ENDANGERS FYROM’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

The head of European diplomacy Javier Solana informed the Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference yesterday that the trial of Bishop Jovan is contrary to the principles of the European Union.

“The case of Bishop Jovan of Ochrid and Exarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia, who has been imprisoned for allegedly inciting religious and national intolerance can be seriously disputed, and thus endanger the ascension of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the European Union,” said the head of European diplomacy Javier Solana in a letter to the chair of the Commission of the European Union Bishops’ Conference, Roman Catholic Bishop Josef Homeier.

Freedom of religious expression and freedom of religious choice are principles on which the foundation of the European Union rests and we will ask the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to firmly respect this principles if it wishes its request for joining the European Union to be positively assessed.

In the case of the persecution of Bishop Jovan because of his religious choice, this principle has not been respected. At the end of last month Bishop Homeier sent a sharp letter to Javier Solana expressing his concern because of the behavior of the Macedonian authorities toward Bishop Jovan and his horror by his trial before the court in Bitolj. Bishop Homeier warned that the entire incident is in direct contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of every person, and that Bishop Jovan should be released from prison immediately.

In his response yesterday to this warning, Javier Solana, the head of European diplomacy, informed Bishop Homeier that he has seriously discussed the entire case with Macedonian authorities, and that he expects the case to be retried before the Supreme Court of the Former Republic of Macedonia.

Source: www.dan.cg.yu

CHOIR OF THE CONGREGATIONAL LUTHERAN CHURCH FROM STOCKHOLM IN GUEST PERFORMANCES IN BELGRADE AND NOVI SAD

One of the foremost church choirs of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Gustav Vasa Chamber Choir from Stockholm, will be visiting Belgrade and Novi Sad from September 14-18, 2005. The Diocese of Backa and the Serbian Orthodox Church’s Information Service are the organizers of the visit which will make it possible for residents of Belgrade and Novi Sad to welcome a church choir from the Kingdom of Sweden for the first time.

The choir will introduce itself to the Belgrade public on Thursday, September 15, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. in the formal auditorium of the Municipal Assembly, and to the Novi Sad public on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. in the Almaska Church. The entrance to the concerts is free of charge.

The Gustaf Vasa Choir is a mixed choir consisting of 35 members, with Mr. Lars Freden as conductor.

[Serbian Translation Services]