On September 4 and 5, 2024, Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, Secretary General of the World Council of Churches, and Dr. Andrej Jeftić, Director of the Commission on Faith and Order, embarked on a significant visit to Kosovo and Metohija.
The delegation’s visit commenced at the Serbian Orthodox Seminary in Prizren, where they were greeted by Archimandrite Andrej and Protosyncellus Isidor. Their tour included a visit to the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviška, a 14th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its historical and religious significance.
The following day, the delegation visited the Visoki Dečani Monastery, another UNESCO-listed site, where they engaged in discussions with Archimandrite Sava regarding the ongoing challenges faced by the Serbian Orthodox Church in the region.
The high-profile visit continued with a stop at the Peć Patriarchate Monastery, the Serbian Orthodox Church’s spiritual center since the 13th century. The delegation explored the monastery’s historic churches and further deepened their understanding of the church’s heritage and current issues.
Before concluding their visit, the delegation met with key figures including Aleksandar Radovanović, head of the legal department of the Diocese of Raška-Prizren; Mr. Miloš Perić, secretary to the Metropolitan; and Mr. Živojin Rakočević, a noted writer and journalist. The group discussed legal and operational challenges facing the Diocese and visited a 14th-century monastery church.
The diocesan representatives extended their gratitude to Prof. Dr. Pillay for his continued advocacy for human rights and support for the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija, emphasizing the importance of international attention and solidarity in addressing local challenges.
Source: Diocese of Raško-Prizren
