Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, October 3, 2025
Photo: spc.rs His Eminence Metropolitan Fotije of Zvorničko and Tuzla of the Serbian Orthodox Church has issued a statement expressing deep concern over recent threats directed at Orthodox Serbs in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Metropolitan reports that an individual who desecrated the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tuzla several months ago has again issued threats “by removing a cross and calling for the Islamization of Serbian clergy and people, which has further disturbed our small community.”
These incidents are part of a continuing pattern of attacks on the Orthodox community in BiH. Met. Fotije notes that attacks on clergy homes in the city have increased recently, with windows recently being broken at a house where one of their priests lives. “These attacks are not merely acts of vandalism, but represent a serious threat to the safety of clergy and their families, as well as a broader endangerment of peace and security in our community,” he stated.
The Metropolitan emphasizes that such incidents indicate “an increased risk of radicalization and hate speech spreading in our society,” adding that “attacks on religious symbols, as well as on clergy homes, are not just attacks on individuals, but on fundamental human and religious rights.”
The Metropolitan calls on competent authorities “to immediately take all necessary measures and prosecute this person and all others who participate in inciting violent phenomena.” He also appeals to other religious communities “to publicly express their condemnation of such radical and extremist actions.”
The statement invokes constitutional and legal protections, citing Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, as well as provisions of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also references criminal codes that prescribe penalties for inciting or inflaming national, racial or religious hatred, discord or intolerance.
“The Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful remain firmly committed to the principles of peace, love and respect for the human rights of all individuals and all peoples, but we will not allow any individual or ideology to endanger our religious and cultural identity, as well as the safety of clergy and believers,” Metropolitan Fotije states.
The hierarch concludes citing Isaiah 41:10: Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.
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