Theologian Vukašin Milićević was questioned before the Church Court today.
Milićević stated today that there will be no real trial before the Church Court, but that it is all a show, and that the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) will probably formally strip him of his priesthood, and then exclude him from the church community.
Milićević, after being questioned by the Church Court, stated that he stands behind every word he has publicly spoken, with the best intention of preserving what is left of the SPC’s reputation.
Citizens and students of the Faculty of Theology in Belgrade provided support to Milićević in front of the Patriarchate, while he was giving a statement before the Church Court.
In addition to Milićević, theologian Blagoje Pantić will be questioned tomorrow. Both of them supported the student protests and criticized both the state and church authorities.
Theologian Milićević, known to the public for his open criticism of the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije, and the church leadership, was summoned today to appear before the Church Court to give a statement.
This morning around 10 a.m., citizens and students gathered in front of the Patriarchate, which is also the seat of the Church Court of the Archdiocese of Belgrade-Karlovci, presided over by Patriarch Porfirije, to show their support for theologian Vukašin Milićević.
According to the N1 reporter, police were also present, both in plainclothes and in uniform.
According to Nova.rs, those gathered in front of the Church Court were carrying banners that read: “Persecution of thinkers,” “LAOS against lies,” “The situation in the church is as follows: an order for the wicked, persecution for thinkers.”
The students of the Faculty of Theology called for the rally in support of the priest and former assistant professor of the Orthodox Theological Faculty in Belgrade.
In addition to Milićević, theologian Blagoje Pantić will be questioned tomorrow, and both of them have clearly and loudly supported the students and criticized both the state and church authorities.
Milićević previously stated that it was not clear from the summons for the court why he was being called to give a statement, but that, from the context, it was very clear to him.
“What they are now trying to implement in the Church is the same or very similar to what the regime is doing in the state. They are demonstrating power, but that often turns into a demonstration of powerlessness. And that is a message addressed to those who might dare to do something, who think similarly to me or my colleague Blagoje Pantić,” Milićević told TV N1, reminding that Blagoje Pantić, who is the editor of the theological internet magazine teologija.net, also received a summons.
Milićević was punished for his publicly expressed views during the time of Patriarch Irinej.
He lost his position as a professor at the Faculty of Theology, was suspended from his priestly duties, and was removed from the position of editor of the church radio Slovo ljubve.
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Source: Danas; Photo: ATA Images