Metropolitan of Raška and Prizren Teodosije met in the Gračanica Monastery with US Senator Joni Ernst and representatives of the US Embassy in Pristina, with whom he discussed the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people in Kosovo. As announced by the Eparchy, Teodosije pointed out the deterioration of the security and institutional situation, as well as the importance of preserving clear international security guarantees, especially for Visoki Dečani and other “sensitive” sites.
After a tour of the Gračanica Monastery, a discussion was held on the current position of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as on the challenges faced by the Church and the faithful in everyday life, the Eparchy of Raška and Prizren announced.
According to the statement, Metropolitan Teodosije pointed out the Eparchy’s serious concern over what was assessed as a visible deterioration of the security and institutional situation and an increasingly pronounced sense of insecurity among the Serbian population.
He particularly emphasized that in the recent period a series of events were recorded which, according to the Eparchy’s assessment, are deeply concerning.
In this context, problems during recent religious gatherings of the SOC at Gazimestan and in the Holy Archangels Monastery were mentioned, various forms of institutional and administrative pressure, the recent demolition of a series of Serbian houses on Lake Gazivode, as well as multiple arrests of Serbs without clear evidence of criminal responsibility.
The Metropolitan, as added, pointed out that all this is happening under conditions of prolonged institutional and political uncertainty in Pristina.
Discussions also on the inclusion of the Kosovo Police in the KFOR system
In addition, the announced gradual inclusion of Kosovo Police members into the KFOR security system around the Visoki Dečani Monastery was discussed.
Metropolitan Teodosije emphasized that the Eparchy is following this process with special concern, bearing in mind the existing low level of institutional trust and the broader security situation.
He pointed out the importance of assurances from KFOR that this process does not represent a transfer of primary responsibility for the security of the monastery, but rather coordinated work within KFOR’s existing security protection system.
For the Eparchy, as stated, KFOR’s confirmation that its commitment to the security of the Visoki Dečani Monastery and the safety of all local communities remains firm is particularly important, as well as that KFOR remains the first and primary entity responsible for the security of the monastery.
Bridge on the Ibar – a “sensitive point”
Metropolitan Teodosije also pointed out the situation in North Mitrovica, assessing that the bridge on the Ibar, as a site that in the past has been repeatedly linked to serious security incidents and inter-ethnic tensions, continues to represent a very sensitive point.
He said that the Eparchy does not question the need for professional cooperation among all security actors, but considers that under current circumstances any eventual transfer of primary security responsibility from KFOR at Visoki Dečani and on the bridge in Mitrovica would be premature.
That is why, as emphasized, it is of fundamental importance that every further step be gradual, based on real and verifiable conditions on the ground and on building trust through concrete results.
Metropolitan Teodosije also pointed out administrative problems and the selective application of laws by Kosovo institutions, which, according to the Eparchy’s assessment, makes the life of the Church and the self-sustainability of monasteries difficult.
He expressed gratitude to the United States of America, NATO, and KFOR for their engagement so far in preserving peace and security and protecting the holy sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
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Source: N1, Photo: Eparhija raško-prizrenska
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