The Diocese of Raška-Prizren has also categorically denied allegations of negotiations or preparations for any form of agreement with Kosovo’s institutions, labeling such claims as “complete falsehoods and malicious fabrications, entirely unfounded in reality.”
The denials follow a report published by Danas on Thursday, alleging that Serbian Patriarch Porfirije and Metropolitan Irinej are engaged in talks with authorities in Pristina on concluding a “fundamental agreement” that would formalize the status of the Church in Kosovo. According to the report, the supposed agreement would recognize SOC and Kosovo as “independent and autonomous parties” in their respective domains.
The Danas article cited unnamed Church and political sources, claiming that internal SOC communication on the issue is tightly controlled and that clergy have been prohibited from commenting publicly on matters related to Kosovo.
Simultaneously, the political group Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia (POKS) released what it described as a draft of the alleged agreement and urged the SOC not to sign it. POKS called the document “treasonous,” warning that it would amount to recognition of the so-called Republic of Kosovo and could pave the way for the creation of a separate “Kosovo Orthodox Church.”
No Such Document Exists, Diocese Says
The Raška-Prizren Diocese issued a sharp rebuttal to these reports on Friday morning.
“There exists no text, draft, or proposal addressing the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church as a ‘contracting party’ in relation to the Kosovo government—nor has there ever been any such document under consideration in any SOC body, including the Holy Assembly or the Holy Synod. Nor has such a document been submitted to His Holiness the Patriarch or to the Raška-Prizren Diocese,” the Diocese stated.
They further emphasized that the document circulated in the media is “a legally illiterate and politically motivated fabrication” and could not have originated from any official SOC body.
The most alarming claim—that the Church would agree to an arrangement enabling the creation of a “Kosovo Orthodox Church”—was dismissed as a “shameless slander” against the SOC.
“The insinuation that the SOC would open the way for the formation of a ‘Kosovo Orthodox Church,’ which could in the future usurp Serbian holy sites, is a deeply offensive slander against our Church and its historical testimony and suffering in Kosovo and Metohija. It is a painful blow to our clergy, monastics, and faithful in these difficult times,” the Diocese said.
They reminded the public that the Church had previously denied similar attempts to undermine its position and reiterated that the latest statements from POKS and the reporting by Danas “show no more respect for truth or for the Church’s struggle for survival.”
Calls for Responsibility in Media Reporting
In its statement, the Diocese rejected all media allegations regarding the alleged involvement of SOC hierarchs in negotiations on this matter, warning that such claims mislead the public, disrupt Church discipline, and sow discord among the faithful.
The SOC and its regional Diocese, it added, have always advocated for the survival of the Serbian people, the protection of Church rights and freedoms, and the preservation of spiritual and cultural heritage in Kosovo—with “strong guarantees from the international community.”
Finally, the Diocese called on media outlets—particularly those covering matters of national importance—to verify serious claims with competent institutions before publication:
“Instead of relying on unofficial social media posts and online portals, without taking any responsibility for the consequences.”
“The Serbian Orthodox Church will, as always, continue to defend its holy sites, faithful, and cultural-historical heritage in Kosovo and Metohija with full dignity and spiritual responsibility, without politicization and in accordance with its evangelical principles,” the Diocese concluded.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
