Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) donated the land of the historic Vojlovica Monastery to the Serbian Orthodox Church on May 11, 2026, in what Church representatives described as “a moment of great historical justice.”
The donation agreement was signed at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade by Metropolitan Nikanor of Banat and NIS General Director Kirill Tyurdenev.
Under the agreement, the Diocese of Banat receives ownership of the land and monastery complex of Vojlovica in Pančevo, which since 1965 has been located within the Pančevo Oil Refinery complex.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia and members of the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, including Metropolitan Irinej of Bačka, Metropolitan Fotije of Zvornik-Tuzla, and Metropolitan Metodije of Budimlja-Nikšić.
Also attending were the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, Archimandrite Danilo, Director of the Patriarchal Administrative Office, Protopresbyter Djordje Stojisavljević, Head of the Cabinet of the Serbian Patriarch, Igumen Teodor of Vojlovica Monastery, and representatives of NIS.
Speaking during the ceremony, Kirill Tyurdenev emphasized the importance of the occasion for the company.
“Today’s meeting has special significance for NIS and represents an act of responsibility and respect toward the community in which we operate,” he stated.
Tyurdenev noted that the Serbian Orthodox Church is “one of the bearers of the spiritual and cultural identity of the Serbian people,” adding that it was important for NIS “to be a reliable partner.”
Referring to the historic monastery itself, he said: “Vojlovica Monastery, as a precious medieval monument, is for us also a place of spiritual strength, which for decades has protected our refinery and our refinery workers.”
“We are not only donating the land and the monastery building today,” Tyurdenev continued, “but we also wish to support Vojlovica Monastery in its mission of gathering the faithful. Therefore, what we are doing today is at the same time our legacy for future generations.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this important event,” the NIS General Director concluded.
