In response to recent media reports and political claims, the Raška-Prizren Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) has firmly denied the existence of any draft or proposal for a so-called “fundamental agreement” between the Church and Kosovo’s institutions.
The statement was issued following the publication of an article in the daily newspaper Danas and related claims circulated by the Movement for the Renewal of the Kingdom of Serbia (POKS), which alleged that such an agreement was in preparation.
“The claims about the existence or preparation of any agreement between the Serbian Orthodox Church and Kosovo institutions are completely false and a malicious fabrication without any basis in reality,” the Diocese declared.
The Church emphasized that no such text, draft, or proposal has ever been presented to or reviewed by any official body of the Serbian Orthodox Church, including the Holy Assembly of Bishops, the Holy Synod, the Patriarch, or the Raška-Prizren Diocese.
“The content of the so-called ‘fundamental agreement’ circulating in the media clearly indicates that it is a legally illiterate and politically motivated fabrication that could not have originated from any official Church body.”
The Diocese expressed particular outrage at suggestions that the Serbian Orthodox Church would agree to an arrangement that could pave the way for the creation of a so-called “Kosovo Orthodox Church”: “The insinuation that the Church would open the door to the formation of a ‘Kosovo Orthodox Church,’ which would potentially usurp Serbian holy sites, is a shameless slander against our Church and its centuries-long testimony and suffering in Kosovo and Metohija.”
The announcement also recalled the Diocese’s October 2024 statement, which had already refuted similar falsehoods, notably those made by Momir Stojanović of the “Serbian National Council of Kosovo and Metohija”, as an attack on the Church’s efforts to maintain its presence in the region.
“The latest claims by POKS and the reporting by Danas show the same disregard for truth and the Church’s struggle for survival.”
The Diocese categorically rejected any notion that Church hierarchs are involved in negotiations with Kosovo authorities: “Such reports mislead the public, destabilize Church unity, and sow unrest among the faithful.”
The Serbian Orthodox Church reiterated its long-standing commitment to defending the survival of its people, the freedom of religion, and the preservation of its spiritual and cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija, with the support of international guarantees.
Finally, the Diocese issued a call to the media: “We urge all media, especially those covering matters of national importance, to verify the truth with responsible institutions before publishing serious claims, rather than relying on unofficial speculations from social media and irresponsible sources.”
The statement concluded with a firm pledge: “The Serbian Orthodox Church will continue, as always, to protect its holy sites, faithful, and cultural-historical legacy in Kosovo and Metohija with dignity and spiritual responsibility, without political interference and in full adherence to Gospel principles.”
Source and photo: Serbian Orthodox Church – Raška-Prizren Diocese
