Pristina’s new rules stipulate that, starting on August 1, organized groups of pilgrims visiting Serbian holy sites in Kosovo and Metohija must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide. Ivana \u0106ori\u0107, an organizer of pilgrimage trips to Kosovo and Metohija, says the uncertainty could discourage worshippers from coming. Luka Jovanovi\u0107, a teaching assistant at the Department of History of the Faculty of Philosophy in Kosovska Mitrovica, points out that the decision is not merely technical, but a measure that could weaken the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church and its connection to the monasteries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting on August 1, organized groups of pilgrims visiting Serbian holy sites in Kosovo and Metohija will be required to be accompanied by a tour guide licensed by the authorities in Pristina. The Diocese of Ra\u0161ka and Prizren warns that religious pilgrimages cannot be equated with commercial tourist arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ivana \u0106ori\u0107, an organizer of pilgrimage trips to Kosovo and Metohija, says that pilgrimage organizers did not receive timely official notification of the new rules. They learned about them “through social media and leaflets handed out to certain groups while leaving the province.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We were caught off guard, surprised and, on the other hand, frightened. We do not know what this decision means for pilgrimage agencies and humanitarian organizations that are increasingly coming to Kosovo and Metohija,” \u0106ori\u0107 emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She believes the new measure could discourage worshippers in Serbia and reduce the number of their visits, noting that trips have already been scheduled for August, while it remains unclear how the new rules will be applied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Until we arrive at the crossing itself, we do not know what may happen to us. We will have to wait and see how other groups get through,” the guest of Radio Television of Serbia’s Morning Program stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n