Prizren, Kosovo, October 11, 2023
Photo: eparhija-prizren.com
The Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raška and Prizren (Kosovo and Metohija) issued a statement on Monday, October 9, in response to recent statements by several far-right political groups.
In its statement, the diocese emphasizes that the Serbian Church has been preaching the Gospel for centuries and always stands up for the much-suffering Serbian people. The Church strives for the unity of the people, and thus does not and must not get drawn into political activities.
In particular, the diocese warns that the Church is not a platform for any political organizations, and church buildings must not be used for such gatherings.
Read the diocese’s full statement:
Response to the Slander of the Serb National Council
In response to the recent statements by the Serb National Council, the Fatherland movement, and National Serb Front published today, October 9, 2023, the Diocese of Raška and Prizren considers it necessary to respond to a series of unfounded claims and reiterate its previously expressed stance that the Serbian Orthodox Church is not a political organization and should not serve as a platform for any organizations or movements to organize political gatherings.
The Serbian Orthodox Church is the oldest Serbian spiritual and national institution in these regions, which has continuously operated for centuries, spreading the Gospel and uniting people in faith in Christ the Lord. Our clergy and monastics, along with the faithful, have endured and persevered in the most challenging conditions thanks to a firm belief that only by trusting in God can we remain who we are. Together with the people, we have experienced all the sufferings, worked on the restoration of our sanctuaries, and daily welcome pilgrims from all over the world. In all our services, we call on the people to persevere in their homes despite all difficulties. This is the primary activity of our Church, and it is absurd to expect the Serbian Orthodox Church, which works to preserve the unity of our people around a spiritual tradition that has preserved us for centuries, to be engaged on the side of certain political organizations.
If anyone has not been silent during these years after the Kosovo conflict, it is the Serbian Orthodox Church. We must also remember the late Patriarch Pavle, who in the difficult times after World War II, gave an evangelical witness to the truth of our people’s suffering, strengthening them in faith and hope in God, setting an example of how to endure and live in challenging circumstances.
Indeed, his example guides the Diocese of Raška and Prizren today, which regularly serves God in our sanctuaries, monasteries, and parish churches, gathers the faithful, calls for peace, and, in numerous meetings with international representatives, actively testifies to the problems our people face. Regarding the decision to hold a memorial service at the Gračanica Monastery on Vidovdan this year, where the Holy Liturgy was also served, it was made solely for the safety of our parishioners in the current situation. We want to minimize the threat to the lives and health of our faithful and avoid the use of religious holidays for political or other purposes.
Therefore, the claims that our Church in Kosovo and Metohija is allegedly silent, that it does not observe the exodus and the tragedy of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, or that it allegedly serves the interests of any political party, are highly malicious slanders coming, unfortunately, from those who rarely appear at Church services themselves or from those who have relocated their families from Kosovo and Metohija and only occasionally present themselves as supposed protectors of the people.
The truth is that our Church has been and will continue to be a solid support and consolation for our people. We will continue our evangelical witness in a manner befitting the Church as a spiritual institution. Therefore, we don’t want to be drawn into inter-political disputes and the creation of divisions among our people, nor are we willing to allow the Church’s reputation and our sanctuaries to be used for political purposes. Hence, the organization of any political gatherings by any organization or party within our sanctuaries is not acceptable, and we have already informed the Serb National Council of this in writing.
The Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church issued a call for peace amidst rising tensions in Kosovo late last month.
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