Metropolitan Teodosije of Raška and Prizren met today at Gračanica Monastery with U.S. Senator Joni Ernst, Chargée d’Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America in Pristina Anu Prattipati, and their associates. Following a tour of Gračanica Monastery and an introduction to its spiritual, historical, and cultural significance, 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 daily life.
Metropolitan Teodosije expressed the serious concern of the Diocese over the visible deterioration of the security and institutional situation and the increasingly pronounced sense of insecurity among the Serbian population, which is experienced as persecution and open discrimination by the Kosovo authorities.He particularly emphasised that a number of recent developments have caused deep concern. In this context, the Metropolitan mentioned problems during recent Serbian Orthodox religious gatherings, including Gazimestan and the Monastery of the Holy Archangels, various forms of institutional and administrative pressure, such as the recent demolition of a number of Serbian houses at Lake Gazivode, and several arrests of Serbs without clear evidence of criminal responsibility. He also noted the lack of institutional response in cases affecting the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian community, as seen in the renewed violation of the Law on Special Protective Zones around Dečani Monastery during new works on the disputed road, as well as earlier violations of the protected zone regime around the Hermitage of St Peter and the site of the Mother of God of Hvosno. It was stressed that all these developments create a cumulative effect of pressure and deepen the already very low level of trust and security in which our people and the Church live. The Metropolitan pointed out that all this is taking place in circumstances of prolonged institutional and political uncertainty in Pristina, as well as the non-fulfilment of previously undertaken obligations. In such circumstances, he stressed, it is especially important to preserve clear and unequivocal international security guarantees, particularly at the most sensitive sites.
In this context, the discussion also addressed today’s announcement of the gradual inclusion of members of the Kosovo Police into KFOR’s security system around Visoki Dečani Monastery. Metropolitan Teodosije emphasised that the Diocese is following this process with particular concern, bearing in mind the existing low level of institutional trust and the broader security situation. At the same time, he pointed to the importance of KFOR’s clear assurances that this process does not represent a transfer of primary responsibility for the security of the monastery, but only coordinated work within the existing KFOR security protection system. For the Diocese, today’s unequivocal confirmation by KFOR is of particular importance, namely that its commitment to the security of Visoki Dečani Monastery and to the safety of all local communities remains firm, and that KFOR continues to remain the first and principal responder for the security of the monastery. These assurances are in line with the messages received by Archimandrite Sava, Abbot of Dečani Monastery, during the recent visit of Admiral George M. Wikoff, Commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command Naples, when NATO’s continued commitment to the protection of Visoki Dečani and the preservation of stability in Kosovo was especially emphasised. Metropolitan Teodosije also drew particular attention to the situation in North Mitrovica, stressing that the bridge over the Ibar River, as a location that has in the past repeatedly been associated with serious security incidents and interethnic tensions, remains a highly sensitive point. In the present circumstances, when trust between communities and institutions is at an exceptionally low level, the Metropolitan considers that the visible presence of KFOR in this area remains an indispensable factor in deterring incidents, preventing escalation, and preserving the local population’s sense of security. For this reason, any change to the existing security regime at such a sensitive location could have serious consequences for stability.
Metropolitan Teodosije emphasised that the Diocese does not question the need for professional cooperation among all security actors. However, it considers that in the present circumstances any transfer of primary security responsibility from KFOR at Visoki Dečani and at the bridge in Mitrovica would be premature. It is therefore essential that any further step remain gradual, based on real and verifiable conditions on the ground, and on the building of trust through concrete results.
Metropolitan Teodosije also drew attention to administrative problems and the selective application of laws by Kosovo institutions, which make the life of the Church and the self-sustainability of our monasteries more difficult.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Teodosije expressed gratitude to the United States of America, NATO, and KFOR for their engagement to date in preserving peace and security and in protecting the holy sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He particularly expressed confidence that the United States and NATO will, in the period ahead, continue to take all security decisions with full awareness of the complexity of the current circumstances, the low level of interethnic and institutional trust, and the need to avoid any step that could create a security vacuum or additional uncertainty among the local population.
The discussion also underlined the importance of continuing dialogue and fully implementing previously reached agreements, especially those relating to the position and rights of the Serbian community and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija.
Metropolitan Teodosije emphasised that the Church remains firmly committed to peace, dialogue, and the building of trust with all communities. At the same time, he stressed that lasting stability can rest only on the rule of law, consistent respect for acquired rights, and concrete guarantees that will enable the Serbian people and the Serbian Orthodox Church to live safely, with dignity, and to remain in Kosovo and Metohija.
Source: eparhija-prizren.com
